The Golden Sneaker Contest is back

Published on February 11, 2025

Each year, the San Mateo County Safe Routes to School program organizes the Golden Sneaker Contest. The friendly competition encourages students to walk, roll, carpool or take transit for two weeks in February.

Participating schools can choose two weeks between Feb. 3 and Feb. 28 to complete the challenge. Students self-report how they arrived at school over the two weeks of the challenge. The classes with the highest number of students using a sustainable mode of transportation (walking, rolling, taking public transit of the school bus) from each school will receive a Golden Sneaker Award and be entered into a raffle to have a special visit from one of the beloved therapy dogs from the San Mateo Police Department.

The challenge promotes physical health, builds community spirit, improves air quality and reduces traffic near school. To add to the fun, San Mateo County Office of Education provides each week a Golden Sneaker “teaser puzzle” to get students, staff and parents ready to walk, roll, carpool or transit.