Austin, San Antonio in health contest

Mayor Steve Adler released a video April 3 accepting San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor’s open challenge to participate in the annual H-E-B Community Challenge, presented by health advocacy organization It’s Time Texas. Competing mayors must outline health-focused policies that their city councils have passed, take a wellness pledge and, of course, upload a challenge video. Individuals, schools, businesses, community organizations and faith-based organizations can also participate and win points. According to its website, the contest runs through Sunday and the communities that top each population bracket win a trophy, a street banner and a $1,200 grant for a local school. According to Taylor’s video, San Antonio has won first place in the metro category for two years running. The competition began in January and Austin is currently in second place, but trailing its neighbor to the south with a little over half the number of points. In his video, Adler appears determined while he does an unusual fitness routine and says, “We’re coming after that trophy!”