Mindful Miles walking challenge

Memorial Health has opened registration for “Mindful Miles,” a free walking challenge that will run across central Illinois from May 1 through May 31. (memorial.health) The health system said kickoff parties are scheduled for April 30 in Decatur, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Springfield and Taylorville. Participants can log miles during May through the Pacer app, and anyone who reaches 50 miles will receive a free T-shirt. (memorial.health) Memorial Health described the program as its first regional walking challenge. Angela Stoltzenburg, the system’s director of community health, said the goal is to get residents moving “anywhere, anytime” during the month. (memorial.health) Hospital staff have framed the challenge around both exercise and mental health as spring weather returns. Galia Cossyleon, a community health consultant with Springfield Memorial Hospital, said the program is meant to get people outside and walking as temperatures improve. (capitolcitynow.com) The regional format ties together Memorial Health’s hospital communities rather than a single city event. Local announcements show Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Decatur Memorial Hospital and the system’s other sites are each hosting their own April 30 kickoff gatherings. (wlds.com) (taylorvilledailynews.com) Memorial Health has long used free public events as part of its community health outreach, including fairs, classes and support programs. “Mindful Miles” adds a monthlong, self-directed activity that asks residents to track their own distance instead of attending a one-time event. (memorial.health 1) (memorial.health 2) The challenge starts after the April 30 launch events and ends on May 31. For Memorial Health, that turns a simple walk into a systemwide spring campaign spread across five central Illinois communities. (memorial.health)