Community encouraged to walk during October
Walking Month, also called Walktober, is a month-long campaign to inspire our community to walk more and become healthier. Activities and events will be held throughout the month of October to encourage the community to get outside and walk. From Walk to School Day to a walk celebrating public art, there is an activity for everyone. See the full event listing below.
Walktober is a great opportunity for our community to become more active. It is also a way to promote awareness of the importance of physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle, and the benefits of making improvements to our city that make it more conducive to walking, biking and public transit. By creating opportunities for the community to move more, get connected with like-minded individuals and share knowledge of great walking routes, it is hoped that this campaign will help us move down the path to greater well-being.
Throughout the month, Columbus Regional Health’s (CRH) WellConnect is offering a walking challenge to community members. Anyone who completes at least five out of the 10 challenges will receive a free WellConnect fitness pass, and be entered to win a FitBit fitness tracker, which will be given away on October 28, 2016 at WellConnect, 237 Washington Street. You do not need to be present to win.
Download Walktober Challenge schedule and checklist
Bartholomew County Purdue Extension is also working to motivate individuals through their free email based walking program, Get WalkIN, which provides information and support.
As part of our goal to increase area leaders’ awareness of the benefits of a more walkable city, we have helped organize a “Day in a Wheelchair” in partnership with City Councilwoman, Laurie Booher and Access-Ability. On October 27th, city leaders, including Mayor Lienhoop, will spend the morning in a wheelchair to help foster understanding of the issues faced by many members of our community who are wheel chair bound and of the importance of accessibility around our community.
We have also partnered with Safe Kids Bartholomew County and the Bartholomew County Public Library to offer Take a Walk with Clifford, a book read and giveaway discussing pedestrian safety with 2-6 year olds and their parents.
The events throughout Walktober are being organized by various businesses and organizations, including Safe Routes to School, Columbus Regional Health, White River Running Company, WellConnect, The Arc of Columbus, Alzheimer’s Association, Bartholomew County Public Library and Landmark Columbus. The Walktober Calendar is being coordinated by Healthy Communities of Columbus Regional Health as part of its Go Healthy Columbus campaign. For updates and more information on the calendar of events planned for Walktober visit www.gohealthycolumbus.org.
WALKTOBER EVENT DESCRIPTIONS
Oct. 2 – SUNDAY
WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S
Walk to help raise awareness and funds about Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Registration opens at noon at the Mill Race Center.
3 – MONDAY
WALKTOBER KICKOFF @ WELLCONNECT
Head over to WellConnect to try on shoes & ask the White River Running Company experts questions about gear from 9-10am, then have your gait analyzed by Dr. Hubbach from 4-6pm. Pick up your challenge sheet any time this month for a chance to win prizes!
4 – TUESDAY
NATURE WALK
Join Landscape Architect Art Hopkins for a guided nature walk through Mill Race Park. Starts at 5:30pm.
5 – WEDNESDAY
WALK TO SCHOOL DAY
Information will be sent through the participating schools to the students.
6 – THURSDAY
WALK WITH A DOC – DR. DORNFELD
Meet at the Haw Creek bridge on 18 St near CRH’s main entrance at 11:30am for a half hour walk with Chief of Staff Dr. Amanda Dornfeld. Enjoy a walk on the People Trails and the opportunity to visit with the doctor in an informal setting. Contact Kathy Diseroad Watts for info: [email protected]
WALK N’ WAG
Meet at White River Running Company at 325 5th St at 6:30pm to enjoy a walk/run with your dog! Water stop and treats provided by Dog World. Go to www.whiteriverrunningcompany.com or call 812-418-8121 for more details.
8 - SATURDAY
BUDDY WALK
Join us for the 16th Annual Buddy walk, in celebration of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, to raise awareness of this common genetic condition. Registration starts at 10:30am at Donner Park – walk starts at noon.
For more information, go to www.cadssg.org/buddy_walk
13 - THURSDAY
PUB RUN/WALK
Join us for a group walk/run then meet up at a local pub for a drink/food! Meet at White River Running at 6:10pm for a 2-3 mile fun walk/run. FREE – no RSVP necessary.
Go to www.whiteriverrunningcompany.com or call 812-418-8121 for more details.
14 – FRIDAY
WALK WITH A DOC – DR. KINSEY
Meet at Columbus Gynecology at 12:15pm for a half hour walk with Dr. Helen Kinsey. Enjoy a walk on the People Trails and the opportunity to visit with the doctor in an informal setting. Contact Cheryl Wright for more info: [email protected]
19 – WEDNESDAY
SENIOR WALK
Meet at Mill Race Center at 9:30am for a walk on the trails! Walk departs at 9:45am. Contact Leah Boas for more info: [email protected]
20 – THURSDAY
PUB RUN/WALK
Join us for a group walk/run then meet up at a local pub for a drink/food! Meet at White River Running at 6:10pm for a 2-3 mile fun walk/run. FREE – no RSVP necessary.
Go to www.whiteriverrunningcompany.com or call 812-418-8121 for more details.
26 – WEDNESDAY
TAKE A WALK WITH CLIFFORD
Parents bring your children ages 2-6 to the Bartholomew County Library at 10am for story and craft time focused on safe walking. Safe Kids Bartholomew County will provide each family with their own copy of the book Clifford Takes a Walk.
27 – THURSDAY
WHEEL YOUR CITY
City leaders will spend the morning in wheelchairs to help them to understand how our city’s walkability affects our disabled residents/visitors. They will then meet to discuss their experiences.
PUB RUN/WALK – COSTUME PARTY
Join us for a group walk/run in your best costume! Meet at White River Running for a 2-3 mile walk/run beginning at 6:15 pm then stay for the party afterward. Prize for best costume. FREE – no RSVP necessary. Go to www.whiteriverrunningcompany.com or call 812-418-8121 for more details.
28 – FRIDAY
WALKTOBER WRAP-UP @WELLCONNECT
Dr. Gumbiner and the Fitted Foot will be at WellConnect from 11-1pm to answer questions about walking form and finding the proper shoes. Drop off your challenge sheet for a chance to win fitness passes and a FitBit!
29 - SATURDAY
PUBLIC ART WALKING TOUR
Visit 25 public artworks in the downtown Columbus area. Discover new sculptures and gain a different perspective on the pieces you love! Meet on the Library Plaza, 536 Franklin Street, at 1:30pm. Route is 2 miles, 1.5 hours long. Contact Ricky Berkey for more details: [email protected]
For additional information, please visit these Web sites:
Healthy Communities https://www.crh.org /healthy-communities
Go Healthy Columbus www.gohealthycolumbus.org
Media Contact:
Laura Garrett
Community Initiatives Lead
Healthy Communities
[email protected]
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