Registration for Walk Kansas opens March 4, inviting teams of six to take on an eight-week challenge promoting physical activity and healthy living. Participants log exercise minutes to collectively “walk” a distance equivalent to the length of Kansas.

Celebrating its 25th year, Walk Kansas runs from March 30 to May 24. Registration is open online through March. Activity minutes convert into virtual miles, with participants encouraged to exercise 20-30 minutes daily to meet the 150-minute weekly goal.

Weekly webinars from April 6 to May 18 will cover topics such as heart disease, foot care, resistance training, and longevity habits from Blue Zones.

Teams of six choose from four challenges ranging from 435 to 1,200 miles. Solo participants can take on the Purple Power Trail, requiring 150 minutes of weekly activity.

Approximately 5,000 people join Walk Kansas annually, and participation is open to those outside the state. Organizers encourage individuals to invite friends and family nationwide.

“This year, we are going to focus on the prevention and management of diabetes,” Jackson said. “That is a chronic disease that so many people are at risk for. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control found that lifestyle changes that focus on weight loss and physical activity can save each person up to $2,000 per year in health care costs due to reduce medical visits and lower use of prescription drugs.”