The Mayor's Wellness Campaign's newest competition, the "Toxic Waistline" weight loss contest, is off to a strong start, with 140 registered participants reported on Tuesday.

The contest will challenge local competitors to see who has the highest percentage weight loss over a 100-day period. To inspire the competitors, as well as others who did not sign up but still would like to participate in a healthier lifestyle, the township will sponsor weekly health events during the contest's duration. The first of which, a health hike at Durham Park, will take place this Saturday, June 19 at 9 a.m.

The competitors come from a variety of age groups and backgrounds, according Mayor Scott Spitzer, who reported on the contest at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting.

"What's particularly nice about it is that of the 140 people, 114 are residents, 18 of whom are township employees, five of whom are Board of Education employees, three are Somerset Hills YMCA employees and 10 are between the ages of 11 and 17," Spitzer said.

"A group of registrants with that diversity is significant. I think that the benefits will accrue to the township not only from those who participate," the mayor said.

Having a wide variety of townspeople and those in influential positions could help spread the word about healthy eating and exercise, according to Spitzer. "It's truly a community competition and we're very pleased with the response."

The grand-prize winner of the contest will receive a $500 first-place prize; the next two participants will earn $250 and the following seven, $100 each. All 10 youth participants (ages 11-17) will earn $25 by automatically by completing the 100-day contest.