Free Program Provides Friendly Competition, Weekly Prizes
TRENTON, Tenn. – The Mississippi River is approximately 90 miles from the Tennessee River, and some local residents will be walking that distance in their own neighborhood from October 7 to November 17. The West Tennessee River Walk Challenge, hosted by University of Tennessee-Tennessee State University Extension, is a free six-week program where participants compete at their own pace for the greatest number of miles traveled.
By walking in their home or community, residents will have the chance to win prizes while improving their overall wellness. Miles are recorded based on the honor system, and people of all ages take part in the challenge every year.
Deanna Poole, family and consumer sciences Extension agent at UT-TSU Extension Gibson County, says that Tennessee is ranked sixth in the country for heart disease. “Approximately 60% of adult Tennesseans are overweight, and walking is an affordable way to improve your physical health while reducing stress, enhancing sleep and slowing down signs of aging.”
The event is hosted by family and consumer sciences Extension agents from Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Gibson, Madison, Obion and Shelby County, but everyone in West Tennessee is invited to compete.
Registration is due by October 2 using the form found at tiny.utk.edu/westtnriverwalk24. Upon signing up, participants are encouraged to join the official Facebook group West Tennessee River Walk by UT-TSU Extension.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.