Spring is here and the local non-profit go Vibrant is gearing up for its 2nd Annual Million Step Challenge!
go Vibrant is best known for three signature accomplishments in the Cincinnati area. First, the go Vibrantscape at Smale Riverfront Park: that’s the one with the world’s largest outdoor Foot Piano and the Flying Pig, of course, plus all the tools you need to exercise your body (exercise equipment) and mind (outdoor chess set). Over a million people a year visit that park, exemplifying the go Vibrant mission to “make an active, energetic lifestyle irresistible.”
Second, the go Vibrant walking routes: those signs you see posted in 11 neighborhoods around the area to easily guide residents to “go Vibrant” on their own by walking, running, or whatever physical activity they choose.
Third, go Vibrant will complete its fifth year of go Vibrant menu items at the Taste of Cincinnati – a forum where over 500,000 people gather to celebrate great food and maybe taste some that is healthy!
Starting last year, go Vibrant expanded to a new anchor event: the Million Step Challenge. In 2016, five neighborhoods were the focus: Delhi, Walnut Hills/East Walnut Hills, Evanston, Madisonville, and Avondale. go Vibrant worked with neighborhood councils, challenging residents to walk a million steps. Well over 80 million steps were logged by ~2,000 residents across neighborhoods, with Avondale logging the most steps – over 30 million. They earned the top prize of $1,500 from go Vibrant, and $2,500 from the Gen-H “Step Up Cincinnati” challenge, toward healthy initiatives in their neighborhood (plus bragging rights, of course). Runner-up neighborhoods received cornhole sets for their residents.
In 2017, go Vibrant will expand the Million Step Challenge to 15 focused neighborhoods and challenge them similarly to walk the most steps. As in 2016, WLWT-TV will be the media partner with PSAs announcing the challenge. It will kick off with a Veggie Walk at the Taste of Cincinnati – 10am on Saturday, May 27 downtown and end at the now “famous” Zombie Walk the weekend of Halloween – October 28th on the Riverfront. Our goal this year is to hit over 150 million steps walked – exciting months ahead for the 15 neighborhoods and any other that wants to participate as Cincinnati strives to be one of the top 10 healthiest cities.
For information on how to get involved with the Million Step Challenge or other go Vibrant initiatives, please contact Laura Chrysler at lchrysler@govibrant.org.
