Healthy Huntsville Announces Mayor’s 100-Mile Walking Challenge
Published on August 25, 2015
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and the Healthy Huntsville leadership team announced a new fitness opportunity. The Mayor’s 100-mile Walking Challenge, a citywide effort to encourage people of all ages to add physical activity to their daily routines, is challenging citizens to walk at least 100 miles from Sept. 1 to November 30.
“Walking is easy, free, and pays big dividends for our physical and mental well-being,” said Mayor Battle. “It’s low-impact on the body but high-impact in health benefits. This challenge asks us to walk a little more than one mile a day – and that is something everyone can do.”
To help motivate walkers, Healthy Huntsville will be organizing weekly 2- to 5-mile walks throughout the three-month challenge. Mayor Battle will lead the first walk at noon on Sept. 1, at HudsonAlpha’s McMillian Park. He encourages businesses, schools and organizations throughout the community to host walks, too.
“We believe in promoting wellness by providing opportunities for people to develop healthy lifestyles,” said David Spillers, CEO of Huntsville Hospital and Healthy Huntsville team member. “The 100-mile Walking Challenge is a simple but effective way to build a healthy habit.”
It’s easy to participate. Register for the Healthy Huntsville Mayor’s Walking Challenge on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s WalkingWorks.com web site from Aug. 25 – Oct. 15. Walkers can track their mileage and those who complete or exceed the 100-mile challenge will be eligible for prizes and a t-shirt.
“We are excited to partner again with Mayor Battle and Healthy Huntsville to inspire everyone to take a brisk walk daily with their coworkers, friends, and family during the Mayor’s Walking Challenge,” said Terry Kellogg, President and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. “Blue Cross is committed to good health, and walking every day will help build a healthier Huntsville and a healthier Alabama.”
Whether citizens walk on their own, in a group, or join one of the many community walks, remember that every step counts. Regular physical activity has been shown to help control weight and lower risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and depression. Best of all, improving the quality of our health, might lead to a happier, longer life.
Register to participate in the Mayor’s 100-Mile Walking Challenge at www.walkingworks.com.
Mayor’s 100-Mile Walking Challenge Events
Suggested walking trails and weekly walking opportunities will be publicized throughout the challenge on Facebook.
September 1
HudsonAlpha McMillian Park, 12 PM
Sponsored by Mayor Battle and HudsonAlpha
Sept. 1 – Nov. 30, Tuesdays & Thursdays
Hays Nature Preserve Guided Walks, 9 AM and 12 PM
Sponsored by Green Team
September 10
Plaza Resources Building, 12 PM (Yoga at 11 AM, Farmer’s Market 7:30-11:30 AM)
Sponsored by Huntsville Hospital
September 25
Indian Creek Greenway, 11:30 AM
Sponsored by Engineering, Public Works & ALDOT to celebrate the re-opening of Old Madison Pike
September 30
John Hunt Park, 12 PM
Sponsored by Natural Resources (walk past air monitoring station)
October 3 (back up or rain date Nov. 7)
Indian Creek Greenway, 8 AM 4-5 mile walk
Sponsored by Municipal Court, Wellstone Behavioral Health, Recovery Services, and District 5 Councilmember Will Culver
October 4
Travel Old Railroad Bed Trail with Bruce Martin at 2:00 pm
(App. Length: 2.1 miles / Difficulty: Moderate)
Perfect for the whole family! The Old Railroad Bed Trail on Monte Sano (Mountain of Health) follows the same path as the steam locomotive that traveled from the Huntsville Depot to the Monte Sano Hotel from 1888 until 1896. Enjoy this look into Huntsville’s past with hike leader Bruce Martin.
Directions: Take Pratt Avenue to Bankhead Parkway, cross Tollgate Road. Land Trust’s hiker’s parking lot is ½ mile further on right. Park at south end and walk past bollards to the Land Trust Pavilion.
Sponsored by the General Services Department and Huntsville Land Trust
October 6
National Night Out Walk, 7 p.m., John Hunt Park. Meet at the Jaycee Building
Sponsored by the Huntsville Police and Huntsville Fire Departments
October 6
Richard Showers Recreation Center, 4 PM
Sponsored by Parks & Recreation
October 13
Ditto Landing, 10am-3pm
Sponsored by EMA, HEMSI, Crisis Services, American Red Cross and Medical Reserve Corp. (Going to have Preparedness stations with information set up, too)
October 25
Cemetery Stroll, Maple Hill
Sponsored by Huntsville Pilgrimage Association
October 31
Halloween Walk, Big Spring Park, 10:30am
Dogs and halloween costumes. We will have water bowl, pooper scooper bags, and treats.
Sponsored by Animal Services
The Healthy Huntsville Initiative, now in its third year, is a community wellness partnership sponsored by the City of Huntsville, Huntsville Hospital, HudsonAlpha, Huntsville City Schools, and the Madison County Public Health Department.
