Walking Month in Columbus, also known as Walktober, begins today.
It’s a month-long campaign sponsored through Healthy Communities and Go Healthy Columbus to encourage community members to walk more and become healthier.
Wayfinding signage is being placed around the downtown to help community members find walking and biking paths to local landmarks.
Among the various businesses and organizations sponsoring events during the month are the Safe Routes to School Task Force, Columbus Regional Health, White River Running Co., WellConnect, The Arc of Columbus, Alzheimer’s Association and Landmark Columbus.
The list of events includes:
•Today: Walk to End Alzheimer’s, registration opens at noon at Mill Race Center
•Tuesday: Nature Walk, landscape architect Art Hopkins offers a free, guided nature walk through Mill Race Park at 5:30 p.m., meet near the basketball courts.
•Wednesday: Walk to School Day, participating schools invite students to walk or bike to school.
•Friday: Walk with a Doc, Dr. Helen Kinsey invites residents to take a half-hour walk on the People Trail beginning at noon at the Columbus Gynecology offices. Email [email protected] with questions.
•Oct. 9: Intergenerational Art Walk, stop by Mill Race Center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Oct. 9 to 13 for a map and clues for a self-guided, interactive, intergenerational art walk featuring the art of David Zinn. For more information, call 812-376-9241.
•Oct. 9: Columbus Regional Health Walk with Shayla Holtkamp, leaving from the People Trail on the 18th Street Bridge at 3:45 p.m., focusing on teaching participants how to vary their walk to add muscle endurance. For more information, email [email protected].
•Oct. 11: Exhibit Columbus Walking Tour, Lunch & Learn, stop by WellConnect downtown at noon to hear Richard McCoy, Landmark Columbus director, talk about Exhibit Columbus. The seminar includes a short walk downtown to view and discuss public artwork. Registration required through WellConnect.
•Oct. 12: Walk ’N Wag, meet at 6 p.m. at White River Running Co. for a walk/run with your dog. Visit whiteriverrunningcompany.com or call 812-418-8121 for details.
•Oct. 14: Buddy Walk, in celebration of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, registration begins at 10:30 a.m. at Donner Park with walk at noon. For more information, go to cadssg.org/buddy_walk.
•Oct. 16: Joint Pain Lunch & Learn with Dr. Darryl A. Tannenbaum, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon for information about the latest research on pain management, surgery and returning to an active lifestyle, noon at WellConnect, includes lunch.
•Oct. 18: Kids Hike, Columbus Indiana’s MOMS Club meets at the playground at Clifty Park at 11 a.m. and invites residents to join them for a short hike with children. Not suitable for strollers.
•Oct. 19: Shake Out with Saucony, try out the newest Saucony shoes and join White River Running for a party at 6 p.m. Visit whiteriverrunning company.com or call 812-418-8121 for details.
•Oct. 23: Stroll Patrol, parents are encouraged to grab the strollers and join MOMS Club for a morning stroll around Clifty Park, meet at the playground parking lot at 11 a.m.
•Oct. 26: Walk with a Doc, Dr. Amanda Dornfeld will lead a half-hour walk at the 18th Street Bridge near Columbus Regional Hospital at 11:30 a.m. on the People Trail. Email [email protected] with questions.
•Oct. 28: Dash O’Lantern 5K Run/Walk, wear a Halloween costume to this family and stroller-friendly event at Mill Race Park in support of Advocates for Children. Register beginning at 9 a.m., run at 10 a.m. and walk at 11 a.m. Visit apowerfulvoice.org/events.
•Oct. 31: Costume Run/Walk: Put on your Halloween costume and meet at White River Running for a 2- or 3-mile walk or run at 6 p.m. Prizes for the best costume. Event is free. Visit whiteriverrunning company.com or call 812-418-8121 for details.
Information: gohealthycolumbus.org
