The challenge is over for 49 lawmakers after five weeks of tracking physical activity and healthy eating, for the High Five Mt. Everest Challenge. On Thursday, legislators found out if they were the winner of $5,000 that will go to an elementary school of their choice.

Rep. Mat Erpelding, D-Boise, was the fastest to reach the top of the mountain, however Sen. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, and Rep. Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth, also won $5,000 and Rep. James Holtzclaw, R-Meridian, received a $1,000 check for being a champion.

The schools that will be receiving money are; Whittier Elementary School in Boise, Westside Elementary School in Payette and Prospect Elementary School in Meridian.

“I will be spreading my money throughout my district,” Thayn said.

With all the exercise in the past weeks lawmakers say it was fun, but it’s all for a great cause, to get kids involved.

“I ran mostly and I usually ran the stairs twice a day,” Erpelding said. “I would go to Camel’s Back Park and run stairs for an hour in the morning and an hour at night. My average mileage was eight and half miles a day.”

The Mt. Everest Legislative Challenge was run by the High Five Children’s Health Collaborative powered by the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation. Participating legislators made a commitment to get active, eat healthier and learn about the current status of childhood health in Idaho.