Mile-by-Mile Marathon®

The GO! St. Louis Mile by Mile Marathon program is a corporate wellness initiative that encourages employees to get fit by walking or running one mile at a time over a six-week period, to complete a 26.2 mile marathon. The program works in concert with a company’s human resources fitness objectives to help motivate and engage employees to make fitness and nutrition part of their lives. Depending on a company’s goals, we can create a specialized program that includes additional fitness activities or appearances from members of the GO! St. Louis faculty, which is comprised some of the area’s top fitness and nutrition experts.  

Since, 2007 when the program debuted, thousands of area employees have accepted the challenge. The Mile-by-Mile Marathon program includes a personal training log to chart a participant’s progress; t-shirt; medal; and certificate upon completion. In addition, we encourage companies to hold special kickoff rallies and/or celebration events as part of the program. GO! St. Louis offers four “Lunch and Learn” sessions as part of the program. Lunch & Learn sessions include: proper stretching techniques, fitness goal setting, stress management, selecting the proper shoes/apparel and nutrition. 

As the cost of employee healthcare continues to rise for many companies, it has become increasingly vital that companies establish a corporate wellness program.

Companies that have completed the program include: City of St. Louis, St. Louis Housing Authority, Wells Fargo Advisors and The Booksource.

If you or your company would like more information on the Mile-by-Mile Marathon program, please call 314-727-0800 or email program director, Mike Cosgrove, mcosgrove@gostlouis.org.

GO! ST. LOUIS® LUNCH & LEARN FACULTY

BEN ROSARIO
Apparel and Footwear
Ben is the co-owner of Big River Running Company, a local running and walking store with a strong reputation as a community-minded store. As a competitive runner himself Ben has run everything from a 4:06 mile to a 2:18 marathon and has twice competed in the Olympic Trials. He was the youngest qualifier at the 2004 Trials at the age of 24 and finished second at the 2005 US Marathon Championships in Minneapolis. Ben was raised in South St. Louis, attended Saint Louis University High School and graduated from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. He was recently recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as a “30 under 30” award winner, which highlights young professionals, 30-years-old or younger, who have made a significant contribution to the local business community.

DR. BILL CRAGG
Injury Prevention
Bill is the owner and chief practitioner at Saint Louis Injury and Rehabilitation Center. A graduate of Logan College of Chiropractic, he has been in private practice for more than 12 years. He has served on the clinical teams for the Olympic Women's Marathon Trials, as Team Doctor for the American Heart Association's "Train To End Stroke" Marathon Team, Tour de Missouri's Medical Staff and supports the Gateway Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Team In Training." Dr. Cragg enjoys working with young athletes and continues to support local area race teams.  Dr. Cragg is a Senior Consultant with C.I.M.A. (Corporate Injury Management and Associates), and is a featured guest lecturer and speaker for a number of St. Louis-based companies.  Bill enjoys triathlon training, racing and golf. He has competed in several triathlons and is an IRONMAN finisher. 

EMILY SMALL
Nutrition
Emily is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian since 2003, completing her education and internship at Saint Louis University.  She is dually certified as a personal trainer through National Academy of Sports Medicine and has spent the past 5 years as the Manager and Director of Nutrition at NutriFormance, LLC in St. Louis.  Outside of work Emily can be found enjoying a run or dancing.  Emily believes that all foods fit in a healthy and active lifestyle.

JENNIFER McDANIEL
Nutrition
Jennifer has been a Registered, Licensed Dietitian since 2000 when she received a Masters Degree in Nutrition and Physical Performance from Saint Louis University.  For the past three years, she has taught in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Saint Louis University and serves as the Undergraduate Director.  You can also find her on the Big 550 KTRS every Wednesday afternoon as a regular guest on the “John Brown’s Mindset” and also on KTVI Fox 2 News in the morning “STL MOMS” segment.  Jennifer qualified for and completed the Boston Marathon in 2007, and enjoys commuting on her bike to and from work.  Her passion is cooking and she aspires to have her own show on the Food Network someday.  But until then, will continue practicing on her friends and family!

GINA PONA-NORTON
Benefits of Exercise
Gina has been bringing her enthusiasm for a healthy lifestyle and her vast energy to thousands of St. Louis adults and children since 1996. Whether as KSDK Channel 5 Fitness Expert or as the personal trainer and fitness consultant at your local YMCA, Gina has a proven track record of nearly 15 years. Gina's vast knowledge of the Personal Training industry includes her highly acclaimed techniques that motivate her clients toward new healthy patterns. She received a bachelor’s degree in Education from Webster University and a Master’s Degree in Specialized Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Gina has received national certifications in personal training, strength training, advanced personal training and nutrition and exercise for weight management.

JAY SIEFERT
Benefits of Exercise
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Management from Southeast Missouri State University, Jay earned certification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, the “gold standard” of personal training accreditations.  Eventually, Jay opened his own center, Studio Element Personal Training, in Richmond Heights.  Jay believes the human body is capable of remarkable things and asks “why not take advantage of this opportunity and explore everything life has to offer?”  Your health should be positioned as one of your top priorities.  If you don’t have your health, everything else becomes trivial.  Jay’s passion is to spread these beliefs and be a vital link to assist others in achieving their goals.