- Cheryl Wright
Celebrate the 5th Annual WALKtober 2019
Updated: Oct 29, 2019
Believe it or not, we've been celebrating WALKtober (Walking Month) for FIVE years! When we first started in 2015, we knew that our fantastic community would love to get moving, but we didn't know that WALKtober would be enjoyed by so many people of all ages!
We're looking forward to some fun new events and activities, as well as some old favorites, to inspire you to get up and get moving! We're happy that this year, WALKtober coincides with both Bartholomew County Public Library's 50th Anniversary and Exhibit Columbus 2019, which means there's even more to discover! A variety of events are being offered, from a Nature Walk to a Halloween Party, so we hope that there will be something to interest everyone. This year, we are pleased to be able to offer Positivity Paths in TWO local parks. The Walk with Ease program will also be offered again this Fall.
The Positivity Paths are two 1-mile walking loops, one around Mill Race Park and another in Clifty Park, with inspirational signs to promote awareness of mental health and substance abuse recovery, offered in partnership with Columbus Parks & Recreation and sponsored by ASAP Bartholomew County and Healthy Communities. The Paths are both now open, so we hope they will inspire you and encourage you to talk a walk! . #PositivityPath
The Walk with Ease Program is a program of the Arthritis Foundation and is offered locally through a partnership between Purdue Extension and Mill Race Center. This program will run from October 14th until November 22nd and meets in FairOaks Mall on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 - 11 am.
Share your pics of your #WALKtober experiences on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages to help inspire others to get moving.
(click here to view a letter size / printable version of the WALKtober calendar)
Event Details
SEP 29 – SUNDAY
Walk to help raise awareness about and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Registration opens at 12:30 at the Mill Race Center.
SEP 30 – MONDAY
EXHIBIT COLUMBUS HAPPY HOUR WALKING TOUR
Join us for a Walktober kick-off with a special walking tour of the 2019 Exhibition: Good Design and the Community led by the Exhibit Columbus team (approx. 1 hour tour). This tour will begin at Library Plaza and end with drinks at the Upland Columbus Pump House (in the bar area - 21 & over only).
SideKicks meets every Monday at WRRC at 6:30pm. See Oct 7th or click on the link for more details.
OCT 1 – TUESDAY
Join Dr. Helen Kinsey, Senior Olympics Race Walking Medalist, for an introduction to Race Walking at Central Middle School's track. Meet at 5:30pm near the front of the school for a short explanation of race walking followed by some practice and tips! Wear exercise clothes and comfortable shoes!
OCT 2 – WEDNESDAY
WALK TO SCHOOL DAY
Information will be sent out by participating schools, which include: CSA Fodrea, CSA Lincoln, Parkside, Richards, Schmitt, Smith, Taylorsville
If you live too far away, consider parking and walking in to school with your child!
OCT 3 – TUESDAY
Join Landscape Architect Art Hopkins for a guided nature walk through Mill Race Park. Meet on the trail across the street from the basketball courts at 5:30pm. This is a family friendly event!
OCT 5 - SATURDAY
Join us for the 19th Annual Buddy walk, in celebration of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, to raise awareness of this common genetic condition. Registration starts at 10:30am at Donner Park – walk starts at noon.
OCT 7 - MONDAY
SideKicks is a program of the Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center (LCNFC) that pairs special needs individuals (Heroes) with walking and running buddies (SideKicks) to help motivate and support them during walks or runs. They’re always welcoming new Heroes and SideKicks! They meet every Monday at White River Running Co. (WRRC) at 6:30pm
OCT 8 - TUESDAY
ON DEMO GROUP RUN/WALK
Meet at White River Running Company for a group walk/run at 6pm. ON shoes will be available for you to try. These events are free and all age groups and paces are welcome to come.
Go to their website or call 812-418-8121 for more details.
OCT 12 – SATURDAY
BIKE OR WALK TO ETHNIC EXPO
Don’t miss out on all the fun & food at Ethnic Expo! Bike to the event and get VIP parking! The Columbus Bike Co-op will provide free valet bike parking at Washington & 3rd streets from 10am to 8pm. If you live too far away to bike, you can still get your steps in by parking further away and walking.
OCT 13-19
COLUMBUS WALKING TOURS
Stop by the Bartholomew County Public Library anytime October 13th through 19th to pick up your free, downtown Columbus self-guided walking tour! Learn more about your city, get your steps in, and turn in your completed tour booklet for a chance to win fabulous prizes!
OCT 14 – MONDAY
SideKicks meets every Monday at WRRC at 6:30pm. See Oct 7th or click on the link for more details.
WALK WITH EASE
The Walk With Ease Program, by the Arthritis Foundation, is a class led by instructors from Purdue Extension and Mill Race Center. It runs from Oct 14th - Nov 22nd, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Fair Oaks Mall from 10 - 11 am and the cost is $15. Free to former participants! To register, contact Mill Race Center at 812-376-9241
OCT 16 - WEDNESDAY
LIBRARY TOURS ON CLEO TURNS 50 DAY
Step though the library with Reference Librarian Robert Mixner. Get your steps in while you explore not only the public spaces in the building, but also the staff side. Robert will also throw in some historical tidbits related to the building, which is 50 years old this year! Tours begin at 10:00 am and 6:30 pm
OCT 17 – THURSDAY
Downtown Columbus is poppin' tops as a way to say thank you for supporting our local mom & pops! Shops will be open until 8pm serving free wine while you mosey around gettin' some serious shoppin' out of your system.
Participating shops include:
- Viewpoint Books with Taulman Chiropractic: Your Path to Wellness
- 411 - A Project of the Arts & Entertainment District with Gallery 506
- Boutique Elise with Hotel Indigo Columbus Architectural Center
- Zen Fitness
- Sky Sport Fitness
- White River Running Company
- Baker's Fine Gifts & Accessories
- Lockett's Ladies Shop
- Dell Brothers Inc.
- The Savory Swine
- Minash Boutique
- Red Lips Spatique
- Sophia’s Bridal and Tux Columbus, IN
WALK N’ WAG
Meet at White River Running Company at 325 5thSt at 6:00pm to enjoy a walk/run with your dog! Go to www.whiteriverrunningcompany.com or call 812-418-8121 for more details.
OCT 18 – FRIDAY
TODDLER TRACK
Go to the library for a Richard Scarry, Busytown themed event geared for toddlers. Bring your toddler (age 1-2) and a push walker to stroll the toddler track. The track will be available for use anytime between 12:00 – 1:30pm on the lower level near the story time room.
OCT 19 – SATURDAY
Join us at Freedom Field Park starting at 10am for the Dash-O-Lantern Halloween Costume 5K Run/Walk, proudly supporting the non-profit organization, Advocates for Children. This is a family and stroller friendly event! You're encouraged to come and show off your best Halloween costumes!
EXHIBIT COLUMBUS EXPLORATION TOUR
Meet at City Hall for an interactive, family-friendly tour of Exhibit Columbus using the fantastic activity guide! This tour is free and welcomes participants of all ages, starting at the Library Plaza at 10:30am.
OCT 21 – MONDAY
SideKicks meets every Monday at WRRC at 6:30pm. See Oct 7th or click on the link for more details.
OCT 22 – TUESDAY
STROLL PATROL
Grab your strollers and join MOMS Club of Columbus for a morning stroll around Fair Oaks Mall. Meet at the information desk at 9:30am. Contact moms.columbusin@gmail.com for info.
OCT 26 - SATURDAY
Run/walk for adult literacy in Limonade, Haiti on Saturday, October 26th.
Event begins at St. Bartholomew Church, cost is $25, registration from 7:30-8:30am with run/walk start at 9am. After the run/walk, we invite all participants and volunteers to join us for Creole rice & beans, other delicious Haitian foods, and dancing to Haitian konpa!
MONSTER MASH DASH 5K, KIDS FUN RUN & FESTIVAL
The Inaugural Monster Mash Dash 5K Run/Walk, Kids Fun Run & Festival is coming up October 26th at W. D. Richards Elementary! Participants are encouraged to wear costumes and stick around for the festival fun after. Packet Pickup is from 8:30am-9:45am. The festival activities begin at 9:30am. The 5K race will begin promptly at 10:00am. The Kids Fun Run will start at 11:30am. The festival will end at 1:00pm.
*CANCELED* EXHIBIT COLUMBUS BIKE RIDE
*Canceled due to rainy weather forecast* Bike tour of the 2019 Exhibition: Good Design and the Community led by John Crofts and Richard McCoy. This tour will follow a route that takes riders out to North Christian Church. Starts at the Library Plaza at 2pm.
OCT 28 – MONDAY
SideKicks meets every Monday at WRRC at 6:30pm. See Oct 7th or click on the link for more details.
OCT 30 - WEDNESDAY
SAUCONY HALLOWEEN PARTY
Join us for a group walk/run in your best costume! Meet at White River Running for a 2-3 mile walk/run beginning at 5:30 pm then stay for the party afterward. Saucony reps will be available with shoes to try for free. Go to www.whiteriverrunningcompany.com or call 812-418-8121 for more details.
Do you know of any other events we should add to our list? Please let us know about any local walking events that we can add! We hope that you can join in some of our events and walk one (or both) of the Positivity Paths this month!
Happy walking!
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