TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development and partner organizations kick off the 2023 season of the 100 Alabama Miles Challenge on April 22 and invite the public to participate in planned events.
The 100 Alabama Miles Challenge is a free, statewide program designed to inspire all Alabamians to be active, go explore and connect with others by getting 100 miles of physical activity each year. While participants can walk, run, hike, bike, swim, paddle, ride or roll to their 100-mile goal anywhere, organizers encourage Alabamians to visit Alabama’s numerous parks, nature preserves and rivers with their friends and family.
Beginning its sixth season, participants have logged over 200,000 miles since the program’s start in 2018.
Organizers encourage all Alabamians to visit 100alabamamiles.org to register and join others across the state in getting their first miles of 2023 during the statewide kickoff on Saturday, April 22. As participants log their miles on the website, they will earn electronic badges for milestones reached and places visited. Participants can even create teams and compete with friends, family and co-workers.
Integration with the Strava mobile application enables participants to automatically track their miles with a Fitbit, Apple Watch or other device.
Kickoff events on April 22 will be held in locations across the state, including:
- Birmingham
- Alabaster
- Gulf State Park
- Hoover
- Jacksonville
- Madison
- Sylacauga
The events in Birmingham and Jacksonville will be part of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Celebrate Trails Day activities planned in both cities. Athens, Anniston, Historic Blakeley State Park, Mobile and Prattville will hold events in May and June.
The public is invited to attend these events to receive program information, free giveaways and take part in fun outdoor activities. Specific information about planned events is available at the 100 Alabama Miles Challenge Facebook page.
UACED’s partners in developing and sustaining this program are the Alabama Trails Commission, Alabama Trails Foundation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Lakeshore Foundation, Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness and Sports, Jefferson County Department of Health, AARP, Alabama Department of Public Health, and the Alabama Wellness Alliance.
These partners have designed the 100 Alabama Miles program to support public health and enhance economic development through recreational tourism.
Founded in 1987, the UA Center for Economic Development serves as a gateway to technical assistance resources. Through the utilization of professional staff and customized project teams, UACED assists communities, agencies and organizations to take an “asset-based” planning approach to economic development opportunities. One of UACED’s goals is to address the economic development needs of rural and urban communities throughout Alabama.
Source
Brian Rushing, UA Center for Economic Development, brian.rushing@ua.edu, 205-915-5402