The NDSU Extension Service’s Walk North Dakota Challenge starts on April 11 and concludes June 5. The program challenges participants to walk 200 miles during the eight-week period. Participants can reach their goal by walking 10,000 steps a day at least five days a week.
“We encourage you to walk as many steps as you feel comfortable walking and keep trying to walk a little more each week,” says Linda Hauge, Walk North Dakota coordinator.
Participants with a pedometer should put it on first thing in the morning and record the number of steps taken at the end of the day. Participants without a pedometer should record one mile or 2,000 steps for every 20 minutes walked.
The steps then are reported every two weeks online at www.walknd.com or on a mail-in postcard. If reported online, an e-mail message will be sent to remind participants when to report.
Participants can join as individuals or as part of a group. Groups that have not previously participated should send an e-mail to info@walknd.com. Participants do not have to live in North Dakota to participate.
The registration fee is $10 per person for anyone 19 and older or $5 for youth ages 18 and younger. 4-H Club members can participate free of charge. To register, visit www.walknd.com. For more information, contact Hauge at 1-7964 or info@walknd.com.
Nearly 3,900 people have accepted the challenge since the program began in May 2004. They have logged more than 1.5 billion steps, which is the equivalent of more than 756,000 miles.