The Worcester County Health Department is gearing up for the 2024-25 Just Walk Fun Walks, a series of free health-conscious events from October through next summer.
Attendees of a past Just Walk event in Berlin are pictured.
File photo
By Tara Fischer, Staff Writer
The Worcester County Health Department is gearing up for the 2024-2025 Just Walk Fun Walks, a series of free health-conscious events from October 2024 through the summer of 2025.
The program was launched to encourage Worcester County residents to explore local parks and trails, like Stephen Decatur Park and the Assateague State Park Rackliffe Trail while walking, a healthy and accessible exercise method.
This year, the department is introducing Just Walk Passports. Participants are encouraged to pick up a passport-esq form from the Snow Hill Health Department, the Berlin Health Center, or the Pocomoke Health Center and get it stamped at each event during the program. Those who complete all nine walks will receive an award and be entered into a raffle to win a grand prize.
From Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, Just Walk will host Walktober, a 31-day self-guided challenge. Participation in the individualized events will be documented through registration. From Oct. 4 to Oct. 6, walkers can complete a community-wide scavenger hunt. Attendees are encouraged to visit Snow Hill, Pocomoke, Berlin, Ocean Pines, and Ocean City parks and search for the hidden sneakers. Eligible areas will be listed on the tracking sheet, which individuals must fill out to enter the free raffle once the shoes are found.
On Oct. 26, Just Walk entrants may compete in the Fungi Festival 5k Walk Run at Pocomoke State Siver Park Shad Landing. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m., and the event will start at 10 a.m. Nov. 8 will see the Berlin Fall Glow Walk, where participants can stroll Stephen Decatur Park, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. From Dec. 2 to Dec. 13, Worcester residents may partake in the self-guided 12 Days of Just Walk at Newton Park, Byrd Park, and Herring Creek Nature Park each day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Just Walk Worcester will ring in 2025 with a Jan. 1 First Day Walk and Hike Scavenger Hunt, a self-guided walk at Assateague State Park Rackliffe Trail from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., host a Go Red Scavenger Hunt at Cypress Park, Byrd Park, and Stephen Decatur Park from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 15 and Feb. 16, and arrange an April 5 walk at Pocomoke River State Park at 9 a.m.
The 2024-2025 Just Walk Fun Walk program will conclude on June 7 with the Just Walk for Men’s Health event at Cypress Park, beginning at 9 a.m.
The Worcester County Health Department-hosted event is a challenge to encourage healthy movement. According to the Cleveland Health Clinic, “benefits of walking for 30 minutes a day include decreasing your resting heart rate, lowering your blood pressure and LDL (your “bad” cholesterol), and strengthening your heart…It’s been proven that regular walkers have fewer heart attacks and strokes, lower blood pressure and higher levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol) than non-exercisers.”
The Worcester County Health Department’s website has more information about the Just Walk Fun Walks 2024-2025 series.