Memorial Health: 'Mindful Miles'

Memorial Health is launching a free monthlong walking challenge across central Illinois, with signups open now and the first miles counting on May 1. (memorial.health) The program, called Mindful Miles, runs from May 1 through May 31 and asks participants to log at least 50 miles during the month. People who hit that mark can earn a free T-shirt. (memorial.health) Memorial Health said walkers can join through its social media pages or by downloading the Pacer app and entering the code “M-H-Walks.” The app can track steps automatically, and participants can also enter activity manually. (nationaltoday.com) Participants pick teams based on where they live or work, tying the challenge to Memorial Health’s regional hospital network in Decatur, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Springfield and Taylorville. Memorial Health is billing it as its first regional walking challenge. (memorial.health, capitolcitynow.com) Kickoff parties are scheduled for April 30 in all five communities before the challenge begins the next day. Local listings show, for example, a Jacksonville event from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital’s main entrance. (lincolndailynews.com, jacksonvilleil.org) Memorial Health is pitching the challenge as a spring activity tied to both physical and mental health, not a race built around elite performance. Capitol City Now reported organizers said the event is not meant to be highly competitive. (capitolcitynow.com) Angela Stoltzenburg, Memorial Health’s director of community health, said in the health system’s announcement that organizers want people to “log their miles in May.” That framing turns the program into a broad participation campaign for residents across the region, not just hospital staff or gym regulars. (lincolndailynews.com) The challenge now moves from promotion to turnout: April 30 kickoff events, then 31 days for walkers to reach the 50-mile mark by the end of May. (memorial.health)