From the Nottingham Post - 25/6/11

College staff and students have gone head-to-head in a challenge to get more people exercising during lunchtime.

More than 150 people across West Notts College's sites in Mansfield and Ashfield have rowed a total of 110,500 metres – or almost 70 miles – over the last two weeks on indoor rowing machines.

Sport development co-ordinator Craig Homer devised the challenge – consisting of a 300m sprint and a 1,000m endurance test.

Engineering and technology student Chris Wilson set the fastest time for the 300m sprint, completing it in 54.4 seconds.

Learner support co-ordinator Pete Benyon, based at the college's Ashfield campus, was the quickest competitor in the 1,000m endurance test after crossing the line in three minutes 45.6 seconds.

The Ashfield campus also came tops for the most distance travelled, notching up 21.5 miles in just two lunchtime rowing sessions, and boasted the eldest competitor in 67-year-old premises assistant Mick Lilley.

Mr Homer said: "The rowing challenge proved to be a great hit with staff and students and I've had excellent feedback from everyone who took part."