I'm talking about racking up mileage - and no, not who will get the most mileage from sticking it to Rocky and Salt Lake City. The real competition on Capitol Hill is the great "Legislators on the Move" contest, an overt public relations ploy by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah, but fun, nevertheless.

The health insurer initiated the program on Jan. 20, offering 104 state legislators a pedometer and a challenge: Wear the device each day during the session. The top three mileage makers earn donations to a school of their choice in their legislative district. This isn't chump change: First place is $5,000, followed by $2,500 and $1,000.

"You don't have to be a Lance Armstrong to be healthy, but there are a few lifestyle changes people can make, like walking during their daily routines, that can make a difference," said Kevin Bischoff, vice president of public and corporate affairs for Regence.

The Utah Department of Health reports that more than 25 percent of Utah's children are at an unhealthy weight and 12 percent are obese. As for their grown-up models? More than 55 percent of Utah's adults are overweight and 20 percent are obese. There's room for improvement, to be sure.

So, how is the contest for most well-traveled pol going? On Monday, I did some due diligence. While mine is hardly an exhaustive survey, I can tell you that in some quarters, the competition is red-hot. For some, this deal is so cutthroat it makes an LDS ward basketball game look like a session of "Ring Around the Rosie."

First, there is House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake City. Becker strapped on his pedometer the first day and confesses: "The only place I haven't worn it is in the shower."

Becker lives a few blocks from the Capitol and often walks to work. In his free time, he logs his steps on a stair climber at his gym. Last weekend, he wore the pedometer on a backcountry ski outing in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Every uphill glide was registered.

Other high-stepping Demos include Rep. Brad King, D-Price, and Sen. Ed Mayne, D-West Valley City.

On the GOP side, Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, is said to be tearing up the Capitol steps and logging every one of them, though I couldn't track her down Monday.

Rep. Paul Ray is no slacker. The Clearfield Republican does a turn at Gold's Gym every morning - three to five miles on the treadmill and/or stair climber. He says he averages 15,000 to 18,000 steps each day. "I check this thing all the time," he said, pulling back his suit coat to reveal the pedometer. "I've got five schools in my district I want to divide the money with. I'm going to win."

Some are less enthusiastic. Rep. Curtis Oda, R-Clearfield, laughing, told me, "No, I'm not doing it." Patting his stomach, he noted, "Hey, this is all muscle. Table muscle."

A lean and lanky Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, had me fooled. I would have pegged him for an exercise nut. Not in this case. "I'm not doing it," he said. "I'm the guy who always got through life sitting next to the smart girl who told me what to do. I'll let someone else do the work."

Stay tuned. We'll have an answer to this high-stakes drama at session's end.

hmullen@sltrib.com