[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Kam_Sarah.jpg” caption=”McMaster student Sarah Kam won a pair of business-class VIA Rail tickets as part of the Commuter Challenge. Photo courtesy of Kate Whelan.”]More than 700 members of the McMaster community took part in last month's Commuter Challenge. Among participating Hamilton organizations, McMaster had the highest number of participants and saved the highest number of kilometres travelled by car.

The city finished third overall among Canadian cities that participated in the nation-wide event, which encourages commuters to leave their cars at home and walk, bike or take public transit instead.

Besides reducing dependence on cars, the Commuter Challenge aims to promote cleaner air, physical activity and social interaction. McMaster has been participating in the Commuter Challenge since 2002.

Prizes were awarded to departments with the highest participation rate, based on size, while individual participants were entered in a prize draw.

The winners in the small department category with 100 per cent participation rates were the First Year Experience Office, the Department of Mathematics & Statistics and the McMaster Institute for Environment and Health.

The medium-sized department winners with 100 per cent participation were Alumni Advancement and Career Services.

The large department winners were the DeGroote School of Business with 84.6 per cent participation and the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour with 57 per cent participation.

McMaster student Sarah Kam won a pair of business-class VIA Rail tickets, and plans to use them on a trip to Quebec City this weekend.