ALEXANDRIA, VA —The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) have selected 11 trucking companies to participate in their weight loss competition, called Trucking’s Weight Loss Showdown.

Trucking companies had to complete an application that included a short statement of intent. Intially, TCA was only going to select 10 participants, but the letters were so good, they decided on 11.

One company wrote: “Forty years old is the average age of our team. These folks are beginning to experience the devastating impact of obesity. This Showdown will give them a chance to literally save their lives.”

Another company wrote that the help, support and guidance is the reward of the contest.

“When we read statements like these, we realized that these 11 carriers are truly passionate about their drivers’ and employees’ health, so we felt compelled to increase the number of spots to let them all into the challenge," said Chris Burruss, TCA’s president, "They seriously want to educate and motivate their people to get fit, and this contest is a great way to do that.”

The showdown starts on January 24, 2012 and lasts for 10 weeks. Each team’s profile and progress will be shared at the TCA’s Annual Convention in March. Winners will be announced in May at the TCA’s Safety and Security Division Annual Meeting.

And finally, here are your contestants:

• Bestway Express, Inc., Vincennes, Ind.
• Bison Transport Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Brian Kurtz Trucking Ltd., Breslau, Ontario
• Excargo Services, Houston, Texas
• Hirschbach Transportation Services, Inc., East Dubuque, Ill.
• Paramount Freight Systems, Fort Myers, Fla.
• Prime Inc., Springfield, Mo.
• System Transport, Inc., Spokane, Wash.
• Tennant Truck Lines, Orion, Ill.
• U.S. Xpress, Inc., Chattanooga, Tenn.
• Weinrich Truck Line, Inc., Hinton, Iowa
   

(And just like hockey, our money is on the Canucks!)