CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston Mayor Danny Jones announced the city’s preparations Tuesday for a second season of Power Walking 150 — an initiative to move Charleston toward a healthier future through walking, running, or bicycling at least 150 miles in 150 days.
The challenge coincides with the West Virginia Power baseball season from Monday, Apr. 6 to Wednesday, Sept. 2.
“In our first season last year, more than 1,000 people registered for the program, and together, we took big steps toward better health individually and as a community,” said Mayor Jones.
This year, Power Walking 150 introduced a T-shirt design competition partnered with Tgraphics in Charleston. The company produced T-shirts for walkers, runners, and bicyclists who reach their goal. Claudette Hudson, president of Tgraphics, announced the winning design Tuesday by Roch Herrick, a graphic artist from New Martinsville who now lives in Kansas.
Hudson said they reviewed nearly a dozen T-shirt designs before narrowing it down. She said they wanted to have a contest this year, unlike last year.
“My in house designer at the time created last year’s design and then this year we decided we wanted to get more community involvement, so we opened it up as a contest,” said Hudson.
In addition to the City of Charleston and Tgraphics, Charleston Area Medical Center is one of the sponsors for Power Walking 150. Ashley Showen, a spokesperson for CAMC, said they are excited to be a partner since they believe in helping the community reach their health goals.
“Studies show that when we hold each other accountable, exercise together, and have wellness partners that we do better in improving our own health,” said Showen.
Showen said one of CAMC’s goals, as a health institution, is to improve the health of the community by preventing as much illness and injury as possible.
Rod Blackstone, a member of the Charleston Municipal Planning Commission, said they are working toward increasing their numbers this year. He said they are trying to get more people to complete the challenge. They are giving people an opportunity to register their miles online, so they can keep accumulating as they go.
Participants can register online at www.powerwalking150.com for $10 and will receive a T-shirt upon completion of the program and season.