THE second annual Live Healthy Bermuda 100-Day Challenge kicks off this weekend with an ever-growing number of participants. On pace with last year's registration numbers, the programme has also seen an increase in community partnerships, including the Catlin End-to-End group and both Fairmont Hotels.

This year, the island's largest fundraising event joined together with Live Healthy Bermuda's 100-Day Challenge to incorporate a lead-up to the End-to-End event on May 2 and to encourage participants to make the charitable event the finale of their fitness quest.

A special kick-off event for the lifestyle-changing programme is planned at the Botanical Gardens tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. that will include sporting and fitness organisations, healthy food vendors, a one-mile walk and an aerobics class. Participants will also be able to sign up for the 24-mile End-to-End event in the Jack King building.

A children's 13-week programme has also been added to Live Healthy Bermuda this year specifically designed to encourage youth to increase their physical activity levels and to make better food and drink choices. According to Sarah Burrows, vice-president of Live Healthy Bermuda, the response from the local schools has been very positive.

"Mount St. Agnes, Clearwater, Dalton E. Tucker and Warwick Academy have all signed up to participate," she said.

"We're working to register more schools every day."

Monetary awards will be given out to schools and organisations that meet their Live Healthy goals, which is to be used towards a new playground equipment or physical education classes.

The Fairmont Southampton and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel also joined the fray, announcing its partnership with the 100-Day Challenge this week. Starting today, the hotels are introducing Live Healthy Bermuda menus at several of their restaurants including the Waterlot Inn, Jasmine, Bacci, Harley's and Heritage Court restaurants, in addition to their regular menus.

The hotels have worked with Sara McKittrick, the diabetes educator from the Bermuda Diabetes Association and a registered dietician involved with Live Healthy Bermuda, to develop full and unique menus of health-conscious appetisers, entrees, and desserts. The menus will also include the nutritional content of each menu selection, a new concept for Bermuda.

Additionally, participants in the 100-Day Challenge programme who dine from the Live Healthy Bermuda menus will have the opportunity to enter their receipts into a prize draw for a trip for two to a North American Fairmont Hotel of their choice.

Also as part of their partnership, the Fairmont hotels will be offering ten healthy cooking classes to highlight the food and techniques of the Mediterranean, a cuisine renowned for its heart-healthy benefits. Designed by Chef Cladys Magagna of the Italian restaurant Bacci, the classes will include a cooking demonstration of two to three dishes, food tastings, paired wines and recipes.

"Live Healthy Bermuda was a phenomenon last year," Barry Cohen, maitre d' at Fairmont's Waterlot Inn, said.

"More than 2,000 people in Bermuda made their lives healthier by getting active and by being more conscious about what they eat. At Fairmont, we're very proud to be able to teach new and healthier ways to cook at home and to offer anyone who wants it exciting and creative choices for healthy dining when they eat out."

Terry Faulkenberry, president of Live Healthy Bermuda, has been building up the support of the programme and thinks the new initiative of their new community parter is "fantastic".

"I think it's great that we have a company that has really got behind our programme and is offering healthier choices on their menu and is even including the nutritional content of the menu options. It's groundbreaking for Bermuda," he said.

"People are becoming more aware of what they eat. This kind of health awareness is what we're hoping starts to take hold here - it's a great thing to see."

To register for the cooking classes, which will begin February 10 at the Fairmont Southampton, call the hotel concierge at 238-8000.

For more information about the Live Healthy Bermuda 100-Day Challenge, visit www.livehealthybermuda.org.