Get your community in the running - Join the 2025 Wellmark Set the Pace Challenge! 

This year you can make a difference for your community that will last a lifetime. It's the annual Set the Pace Challenge! Where you can help win a $10,000 award for a project that promotes health in your hometown like a park, playground, or trail.

All you have to do is join in on the fun at this year's Grand Blue Mile, presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

As before, the community with the highest rate of participation by population wins. So, it's not the size of your town — it's how much you want to win! 

This year, participants can join the fun in person in Downtown Des Moines on April 23! More information on the dates for virtual participation during Relays week will be announced! 

But beyond the challenge, and beyond the fun you'll have, Wellmark's Set the Pace Challenge (and the Grand Blue Mile itself) is about all of us getting out, being more active, joining our neighbors and friends, and encouraging each other to kick-start a year of improved health and well-being.

That's what makes the Set the Pace Challenge a win-win-win!

Rules of the Challenge

Participation will be tracked via the ZIP Code of each registrant against the community's total population. The Iowa community with the highest percentage of participants (proportionally) will be awarded $10,000. A minimum of 10 registrations is required to qualify a ZIP Code. Additionally, a community may only receive funding once in three years.

Questions? - CONTACT US and we'll follow up soon.

Past Winner Videos

Columus Junction, IA

Odebolt, IA

Lohrville, IA

Urbandale, IA