ATA Leaders, Professional Drivers Take Healthy Trucker Challenge

SAN DIEGO -- Who's healthier? A group of trucking fleet executives or members of America's Road Team? The Health Trucker Challenge aims to find out during this week's American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition.

"The Healthy Trucker Challenge is a tremendous way to promote healthy habits and wellness in our industry," said outgoing ATA Chairman Phil Byrd, president of Bulldog Hiway Express, Charleston, S.C., "and I'm confident that I -- and my fellow ATA executives -- will more than keep up with America's Road Team over the next few days."

During the challenge, Healthy Trucker will be tracking the steps -- walking, running, jogging -- of Byrd; incoming chairman Duane Long, Longistics; Pat Thomas, UPS Inc.; Kevin Burch, Jet Express and Dave Manning, Tennessee Express. It will compare them to the steps of America's Road Team Captains Don Logan, FedEx Freight; Eddie Weeks, AAA Cooper; Jeff Halford, Con-way Freight; Don Biggerstaff, ABF Freight System and Nate Wick, UPS Freight.

"Staying fit and active, even while on the road, is very important," said Weeks, AAA Cooper, who has been driving for over 33 years.  "Over the next couple days, we're going to show just how healthy truckers can be."

Daily updates on the progress of the two teams will be posted in the ATA MC&E Exhibit Hall, and at the end of MC&E, the winning team will be awarded 10 FitBits. Attendees can also sign up to participate for bragging rights at www.atachallenge.com.