FARMINGTON -- In five days, students from Taylor Elementary School walked the distance it would cover to go to the North Pole, or from Salt Lake City to Disneyland twice.

Taylor and Valley View Elementary challenged each other to see which school could walk the most miles per student. Taylor came out in front with an average of 2.38 miles per student. Valley View was close behind at 2.28 miles per student.

The Gold Medal School Mentor for Davis School District, Robyn Thornell, organized the walk. "I love encouraging the kids to be more aware of healthy habits they can form early in life," said Thornell. "We can reward ourselves in ways other than junk food."

The Gold Medal program is sponsored by the Utah Department of Health, and Taylor as well as Valley View Elementaries are Gold Medal schools. Being a Gold Medal school makes it possible for elementary schools to provide physical activity and healthy nutrition when budget cuts and testing requirements shove physical activity and nutrition aside. Gold Medal programs support good nutrition, physical activity and staying tobacco-free.