The Moving Starke County Forward organization is ready to “race” into the summer with this year’s walking challenge.
The theme this year is patterned after NASCAR races to see if all participants can reach the lap goal every two weeks with the number of miles walked, ran, biked, or swam. The Healthy Challenge Series, a healthy reference to NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, will begin on May 2 with the kick-off event at 10 a.m. in Wythogan Park. An inaugural pace lap will officially start the event that will continue through Aug. 29.
Teams of up to five people are encouraged to participate. If you don’t have a team, you may participate as an individual. Registration sheets will be available in April at the library branches in Starke County, Knox City Hall, and the Starke County Tourism office.
The grand prize has some horsepower this year. The individual who logs the most miles at the end of the Healthy Challenge Series will win a NASCAR experience, courtesy of NEMCO Motorsports. The winner will receive two cold passes for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Friday, Sept. 18 at Chicagoland Speedway. The passes allow the winner and one guest over the age of 18 a chance to visit the garage area and pit road for a limited time prior to the race, a meet and greet with driver John Hunter Nemechek, a tour of his truck hauler, and team merchandise. Tickets will need to be purchased to watch the race in the grandstands.
An overall team prize will be announced at a later date.
The first “race” of the Healthy Challenge Series will be the Daytona 250 where participants will be encouraged to turn in 250 miles of activity to the Moving Starke County Forward “race officials” to see if the participants made it to the checkered flag by the end of the two-week goal. Other “races” will be announced as the season progresses.
Any activity that you are physically able to do can be counted toward the goal. Make sure you keep track of your miles on a pedometer.
If you have any questions, contact Nancy J. Dembowski at njdembowski@gmail.com.
