TORONTO — A promotion aimed at encouraging increased physical activity among schoolchildren generated “record level participation,” said Weston Bakeries Ltd., which sponsored the WonderCares Fitness Challenge.

According to Weston, which sells Wonder bread in Canada, more than 1,700 schools and almost 400,000 students participated in the eight week program, which included grades K-8.

Participating schools submitted weekly totals of physical activity for a chance to win weekly prizes, a mid-program prize of sporting equipment valued at $4,000 and a grand prize of $10,000 for playground equipment. A total of 479,486,166 minutes of exercise time were submitted, the company said.

“We are proud to support the well-being and development of Canadian kids by helping educators promote healthy, active lifestyles,” Weston said.

One of the largest baking companies in Canada, George Weston baked bread, rolls, bagels, tortillas and other products under the Wonder, D’Italiano, Country Harvest, Gadoua and Weston brands.