By 1808Delaware
Kick off 2025 with a meaningful goal that improves your health, lifts your spirits, and connects you with a supportive community. The Winter 100 Challenge, a program of Preservation Parks of Delaware County, invites walkers and runners to cover either 100 miles or 100 kilometers (62 miles) between January 1 and March 31, 2025. This challenge isn’t just about logging distance—it’s about embracing wellness, staying active during the winter, and joining a network of like-minded individuals.
How to Participate
Registration is now open and participants gain access to a private Facebook group and bi-weekly emails packed with expert advice from event partners to keep you motivated. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Willow Brook Christian Communities and a growing list of partners, this program promises to make winter walking fun and rewarding. To begin your journey, visit Preservation Parks Winter 100.
Why Walking is a Game-Changer for Health
Walking offers a wide range of benefits, from physical health to emotional well-being. It strengthens your heart, lowers blood pressure, and improves circulation, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. It helps manage weight by burning calories, tones muscles, and enhances bone density, preventing osteoporosis. Walking also supports joint health by easing arthritis-related pain, preventing stiffness, and strengthening surrounding muscles. Additionally, it boosts your immune system, helping fend off colds and flu, and regulates blood sugar, especially when done after meals.
Walking isn’t just great for your body; it’s a balm for your mind. It releases endorphins, lifting your mood, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, and lowering stress by reducing cortisol levels. It also sharpens your cognitive function, improving memory, slowing mental decline, and reducing the risk of dementia.
Beyond personal health, walking contributes to longevity and disease prevention. Regular walking lowers mortality risk, increases life expectancy, and helps prevent chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, and osteoporosis. It’s one of the most accessible and convenient exercises, requiring no special equipment and suiting all ages and fitness levels. Short sessions can be easily integrated into daily routines to meet activity guidelines, making walking a practical choice for anyone looking to improve their overall well-being.
A Community of Walkers
The Winter 100 Challenge is more than an exercise program—it’s a chance to connect with others who share a passion for wellness and the outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned walker or just beginning, this challenge offers the support and inspiration needed to stay active and healthy through the winter months.
Mark Your Calendar
- When: January 1 – March 31, 2025
- Registration Opens: December 18, 2024
- Where to Register: Preservation Parks Winter 100
With the support of Willow Brook Christian Communities and Preservation Parks of Delaware County, the Winter 100 Challenge ensures that winter becomes a season of growth, community, and well-being.
Source: Preservation Parks of Delaware County
