The Southeast Service Cooperative announced its winning teams for the eighth annual Walking Challenge.

More than 800 individuals from 24 SSC member organizations competed, including 15 southeastern Minnesota school districts, and nine local government members in two separate steps-based challenges.

During January, the contest ran and was based on the number of steps walked by participating members. Trophies, and bragging rights, were awarded to the winning teams, and certificates will be presented to all teams who participated.

Winners in the school district challenge included: Wabasha-Kellogg taking first, Goodhue winning second and Grand Meadow placing third. Honorable mentions listed are in order of their ranking: PEM, Rochester, Red Wing, Fillmore Central, Byron, Lewiston-Altura, Stewartville, Kasson-Mantorville, Lyle, Austin, Southland and LeRoy-Ostrander. Red Wing won for having the biggest participation.

Fillmore County won the Local Government Division, the first time a county won since 2012, and the rest of the rankings included: Freeborn County, second, Rice-Steele 911 Center, third. The honorable mention placements included: Goodhue County, city of Albert Lea, Mower County, city of Spring Grove, Workforce Development, and city of Byron. The city of Spring Grove was the participation winner.