ATTLEBORO - Fifth graders at Coelho Middle School galloped to an early lead in Activate Attleboro's annual Step Challenge which uses pedometers to measure students' daily walking.

Coelho students accumulated 7,033,592 steps, compared with Wamsutta, 4,655,541; Brennan, 4,312,891, and St. John's, 721,835.

The pedometers are used to calculate the average total steps per student. Winning teams will be awarded trophies and bragging rights as having the most active lifestyles among their peers.

Hyman Fine Elementary fourth graders piled up 4,459,270 steps in the first phase of the three-week challenge, followed by Hill Roberts with 3,959,408 and Willett with 3,909,504. Studley checked in with 3,411,539 steps; Thacher, 3,018,522 and St. John's with 970,343. Both fourth and fifth graders attending the city's elementary and middle schools are participating in the contest, which concludes May 3 at Healthy Kids Day at Balfour Riverwalk Park.

The challenge, which is accompanied by an adult version pitting employees of various local companies and non-profits, is one of several initiatives by Activate Attleboro to raise awareness and encourage families to be more active and eat more sensibly.