Fle,
You should stick to what you know. you haven't researched this very well at all.

Most of those people that need to be engaged are INCAPABLE of joining a "fun run." Go to any Aust suburban shopping centre and look around.

Go to boat launching ramps on a good 'fishing day' and observe the ignorance, neglect, indifference in the body shapes on display. Ask them if $20 would encourage them to change. be prepared to be laughed at.
Then there's the ill advisedness of such individuals involving in anysuch activity....heart attacks,strokes etc.

It will simply not motivate those who need it nor is it wise. Fitness must start slowly and increase incrementally. (a fun run of 25yards doesn't work)

Not every one is young, presumably svelt, pretty and therefore has a reason to be motivated. Giving you $20 for doing what you are motivated to do anyway is a free market choice nonsense.

Sorry Ms but this idea while it may've be well intentioned it's silly beyond measure.

Examinator is spot on. The growing obesity problem is not going to go away via government sponsored fun runs. There is no mystery as to why people get fat. Too much food and too little exercise.

Can we look outside the usual physical fitness/healthy food angle to the real mystery which is what is causing people to become obese in growing numbers. It is not ignorance but maybe something deeper.

Hold on Examinator and Pelican. Of course the obesity problem is not going to be solved by the sort of initiative that Felicity is talking about, but it is a step in the right direction.

I run almost daily up Castle Hill in Townsville. Over the years I’ve seen many overweight people take it up, gently at first, and stick at it until they are trim and terrific. Of course they are only a tiny minority of all overweight people in my town. But they prove that it can be done.

With increased incentives from government to do this sort of thing, many more people would be likely to take it up.

It really is that simple. I mean, of COURSE “there is a compelling role for government in encouraging people by providing the correct pattern of incentives to lead more active lifestyles”.

Good article Felicity.

On some levels, I agree with Pelican and Examinator. It is true that the idea presented in the articels seems badly thought out and almost immature in its monetary incentive.

Running once every 3 month won't help you get the weight off, if anything, one might be dicouraged to run again when the results aren't satisfactory. By encouraging 'fat' people into fun runs would most likely give them the false idea that join the fun run and you will lose weight. And we all know these things don't happen over-night.

However, dismissing every idea that comes around also won't help any of us get fit.