Mayors want you to sign up for Fitness Challenge

Are you ready for the 12th Annual Mayor’s Fitness Challenge?

It’s ready for you.

The 2022 Mayor’s Fitness Challenge — replete with a theme of “Get Outdoors for Your Wellbeing” — is a wellness competition open to the whole community.

Competing will be individuals and teams from schools, businesses, churches, civic clubs, government agencies and other groups.

The start date is Saturday, Oct. 1. At that point, participants will begin to log their activities using a step conversion tool available on the website, www.healthycommunitiesA3.com. That’s also the website where individuals or teams can register to sign up.

The last date to log entries will be on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Afterwards, awards will be given to the top three male and female individuals with the most steps as well as the top three teams with the most steps.

In addition, there are also school awards: The Superintendent’s Cup will go to the county school with the most steps per student. The Mayor’s Cup will go to the city school with most steps per student.

A kickoff ceremony will be held on Sept. 29. A kickoff video presentation will be available via YouTube. To view the link, and signup as an individual or team, go to: www.healthycommunitiesA3.com 

A post-event awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the Sunset Theatre, 234 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro.

So how does this all work?

Individuals and groups participate in activities that can be tracked using the fitness conversion tool, making this an “all activity” challenge. Almost any activity, from walking to gardening, can be converted into steps. The event is free and open to all members of the community.

But to help participants along, walks have been scheduled for each Saturday during the event in towns throughouot the county, led each week by the mayor of that city or town:

- Mayor David Smith, City of Asheboro.

- Mayor Lewis Dorsett, City of Archdale.

- Mayor A.C. Hurley, Town of Franklinville.

- Mayor Vicki Caudle, Town of Ramseur.

- Mayor Gary Betts, City of Randleman.

- Mayor David Fernandez, Town of Seagrove.

- Mayor Richard McNabb, City of Trinity. 

And on Sundays, hikes are scheduled to explore various trails in Randolph County. 

Check out the entire schedule for the walking and hiking days and times below. All events are free and open to the public.  Hikes and walks are subject to weather cancellation. Questions? Contact Jim Rich 336-625-2993 or jrichjr@triad.rr.com.

SATURDAY WALKS

Oct. 1, 9 a.m. — Parkrun 5K (walk/run) at Creekside Park, Archdale.

Oct. 8, 9 a.m. — Walk at Ramseur Rail Trail section of DRST at 5960 US 64 Hwy.

Oct. 15, 9 a.m. — Walk at Freedom Park in Liberty.

Oct. 22, 10 a.m. — Human Race 5K, walk/run at Bicentennial Park, Asheboro.

Oct. 29, 9 a.m. — Walk at Randleman Greenway on Deep River State Trail.

Nov. 5, 9 a.m. — Walk at Clay Presnell Park, Seagrove.

Nov. 12, 9 a.m. — Walk in Trinity, meet at parking lot near old Braxton Craven 6th grade school.

SUNDAY HIKES

All hikers meet at the downtown Asheboro Farmer’s Market at 1:30 p.m. to car caravan to the site of the hike. 

Oct. 9 — Hike at Franklinville Rail Trail and historic Faith Rock 

Oct. 16 — Hike at the Birkhead Wilderness in the Uwharrie National Forest 

Oct. 23 — Hike at Purgatory Mountain at the NC Zoo 

Oct. 30 — Hike at Mount Shepherd Retreat Center to highest point in Randolph County. 

Nov. 6 — Hike at Camp Caraway Conference Center and Camp.