Akronites are apparently anxious to slip on their sneakers and get outside as wintry weather winds down.
More than 400 people Wednesday signed up for the 100 Million Steps Akron walking challenge within four hours of online registration opening, said Jeff Krauss, health coordinator at Summit County Public Health.
The 10-week challenge kicks off April 18 and ends with the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series June 25.
The idea of the challenge, Krauss said, is to get people moving so they can lead healthier lives.
“Just walking is a good start,” he said. “The hope is once people start walking, they’ll do even more and it will become part of their lifestyle.”
How far would 100 million steps take you? About 50,000 miles.
But many people trying to walk their way to health aim for 10,000 steps per day. That’s about 5 miles, or 350 miles over the duration of the Akron challenge — about the same as walking from Akron to Philadelphia or Milwaukee.
The first 1,000 people to register at www.Akron.walkertracker.com can sign up for free. After that, each entry costs $12 to cover the cost of the website and smartphone app, which track and calculate steps taken.
People can take the challenge alone or sign up with friends, family or co-workers in teams.
Organizers, who will be promoting events around the area where people might boost their step counts, hope people share their progress with photos and posts on social media using #AkronSteps100.
The person and the team who log the most steps will be announced at an Akron RubberDucks game in July.
Krauss said public health officials — partnering with the city of Akron, Summit County and the Akron Marathon — are relying on a grant from the state of Ohio’s health department aimed at preventing chronic diseases in communities by changing lifestyles.
Other programs
The four-year, $1.6 million grant also helps fund these county public health initiatives:
• Bringing fresh produce to so-called “food deserts,” poor areas where there are often no large grocery stores. Health officials have connected the owners of five convenience stores in these areas with farmers who supply them with fruits and vegetables. They’ve also provided refrigeration units to the stores for produce.
• Encouraging choice at food pantries. Some organizations provide the same basket of food to every person seeking help. Public health officials are working with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to provide food options and education at pantries so clients can learn to make healthy choices.
• Expanding transportation options beyond cars and buses. When a road is going to be repaved or rebuilt in Akron or Summit County, officials consider how to make each more friendly for people who choose to walk or bicycle instead of drive.
Amanda Garrett can be reached at 330-996-3725 or agarrett@thebeaconjournal.com.
