MONTGOMERY-Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) joins its partners in announcing the kickoff of the 2019 season of the 100 Alabama Miles Challenge. The 100 Alabama Miles Challenge is a statewide public program designed to inspire all Alabamians to walk, run, hike, bike, swim, paddle, ride or roll 100 miles each year.
Now in its second year, the Challenge officially kicks off the 2019 season on Saturday, March 2, with a public event held at Birmingham’s Railroad Park at 9 a.m. Featured at this event will be 100 Alabama Miles Ambassadors, who will share their inspiring stories about overcoming health challenges to become physically active. In addition to handing out free logo gear, the 100 Alabama Miles Ambassadors will lead a one-mile walk as a symbolic “first mile” of the Challenge for 2019. Later in the season, similar kickoff events will be held in other cities around Alabama, including Huntsville, Jasper and Red Bay.
While Alabamians can participate at home, in their neighborhood, or at their favorite gym, the program encourages participants to get their miles in by visiting Alabama’s beautiful parks, nature preserves and rivers with their friends and family. The program seeks to encourage all Alabamians to be active, go explore and connect with others.
Brian Rushing
“At 36 percent, Alabama has the fifth-highest obesity rate in the nation, and this is due, in part, to a lack of physical activity,” said Brian Rushing, program coordinator and director of economic development initiatives at The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development (UACED). “However, our state is blessed with literally hundreds of unique and beautiful outdoor recreational destinations that offer fantastic opportunities for all Alabamians to become active,” Rushing added.
Laurie Eldridge-Auffant, ADPH, said, “We are pleased to join in the promotion of this statewide fitness initiative to prevent and reduce the prevalence of obesity and increase regular physical activity for Alabamians, including those with mobility limitations and intellectual disabilities. The Challenge offers a fun way to engage people of all ages in a healthy lifestyle experience.”
Organizers invite the public to register for the 100 Alabama Miles Challenge at 100alabamamiles.org, where they will earn electronic badges for milestones they reach and places they visit as they log their miles. The website enables participants to find recreational trails throughout the state, track their progress individually and by teams, and get important safety and wellness information before they head outside.
Participants can take the challenge with friends and family and even create teams and compete with others. Program organizers encourage participants to share their photos and experiences on social media as they journey to 100 miles using the hashtag #100ALMiles.
Partners in developing and sustaining this program are the UACED, AARP, the Alabama Obesity Task Force, Alabama Trails Foundation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness and Sports, Jefferson County Department of Health, Lakeshore Foundation, and ADPH. These partners have designed the 100 Alabama Miles program to support public health and to enhance economic development through recreational tourism.
