Elise Bailey started smoking at the age of 18 and tried for years without success to conquer the addiction. “Nothing worked — I even chewed (cessation) gum while I smoked, and I thought, ‘That can’t be good for me,’” she said. Lung diseases ran in her family, so Bailey knew it was vital to her health that she stop puffing a pack of cigarettes every day.

The Chronicle’s Slim Down Challenge 2013 is here, and entrants have until Thursday at 1 p.m. to register, either as individuals or with a team. The cost is $25 per person, with entrance fees, minus administrative costs, going to the cash prizes that will be awarded to the overall winner, the top male and female runners up, and the top team. Teams must have four members.