University of Florida launches 'Below the Equator'

The University of Florida’s GatorCare program has opened a June 2026 walking challenge called “Below the Equator,” according to a June 1 post on the university’s UF At Work human resources site. The month-long program is framed as a virtual trip across South America, with participants logging steps as they move through a route tied to named destinations and landmarks. (news.hr.ufl.edu) UF At Work said the challenge is part of GatorCare’s employee wellness programming and directed readers to the GatorCare website for registration. ### What is “Below the Equator”? “Below the Equator” is a June walking challenge organized through GatorCare, the University of Florida’s wellness program for eligible members, UF At Work said. (news.hr.ufl.edu) The June 1 posting described it as a virtual adventure through South America and invited participants to “journey through a continent rich with culture, color and spirit.” The UF At Work post named two of the challenge’s featured landmarks — the Nazca Lines and Machu Picchu — as markers along the route. Participants advance by recording their steps during the month, according to the university’s description. (news.hr.ufl.edu) ### Who can take part, and how is it being run? GatorCare members are the intended participants, according to the UF At Work notice, which links readers to the GatorCare website to learn more and register. The post was published under UF At Work’s wellness coverage and categorized as an events and worklife item. (news.hr.ufl.edu) June 2026 is the full window named in the announcement. UF At Work did not list a separate end date in the excerpt surfaced publicly, but described the program as GatorCare’s June walking challenge. ### Why is South America part of the format? (news.hr.ufl.edu) South America is the organizing theme of the challenge, based on the UF At Work description. The post says the route moves from “the ancient mysteries of the Nazca Lines” to “the soaring peaks of Machu Picchu,” using place-based milestones to structure the step-count program. The June 1 item follows a pattern in GatorCare’s recent wellness challenges that use destination themes. (news.hr.ufl.edu) In March, UF At Work promoted “The Great Kiwi Conquest,” a team walking challenge built around a virtual journey across New Zealand and scheduled from March 30 to April 27. ### Is this part of a broader UF wellness push? UF At Work has used the site to promote a series of GatorCare wellness programs over the past year, including walking, mental wellness and brain-health activities. In March 2025, the site advertised “Mind Marathon,” a 26-day brain challenge, and in March 2026 it promoted a webinar on sleep hygiene led by GatorCare Wellbeing Program Supervisor Abigail Loose. (news.hr.ufl.edu) A May 2026 UF At Work feature on mental well-being also listed GatorCare-hosted programs such as “Ease My Mind,” a six-week stress-management series, and a guided nature walk. The new walking challenge adds another June activity to that calendar. (news.hr.ufl.edu) ### Where do participants go next? The June 1 UF At Work post says participants should use the GatorCare website to get more information and register for “Below the Equator.” The challenge is running through June 2026, according to the university’s announcement. (news.hr.ufl.edu 1) (news.hr.ufl.edu 2) (news.hr.ufl.edu 3)