Residents of Friendship Village Sunset Hills, or FVSH, this spring racked up 1,709 cardiovascular miles in a nationwide challenge from their management company to replicate 1,310 miles of cardiovascular activity, a goal set by a company employee in overcoming personal tragedy.

A total of 57 communities, including FVSH, and Friendship Village Chesterfield participated in the nationwide Project 1310 challenge to communities managed by Life Care Services, according to a news release.

The cardiovascular challenge of Project 1310 stemmed from Elizabeth Proffitt, a management company employee at a community in Pennsylvania, also managed by Life Care Services.

After the untimely death of her husband in 2005, Proffitt sought to overcome her grief through exercise.

With the help of a friend and the support of her employer, Proffitt competed in 50 marathons in all 50 states before the age of 50, the release stated.

She completed her goal in the autumn of 2013 at the age of 49.

Project 1310 comes in recognition of the number of miles Proffitt ran in the 50 marathons: 1,310.

Guidelines for the Project 1310 challenge allowed participants to log their 1,310 miles by walking, running, swimming or other cardiovascular exercise.

Residents recorded mileage for one month using pedometers or other measuring devices, the release stated.

Project 1310 dovetailed with the already strong culture of wellness and fitness at FVSH, where programs promote eight dimensions of wellness, including intellectual, physical, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental, vocational and health services, according to Mike Heselbarth, corporate operations director.

Proffitt’s employer and the management company for FVSH and Friendship Village Chesterfield provide management services to 120 senior living communities throughout the United States.