Challenge to walk the shire

THE Golden Plains Shire and YMCA Geelong have partnered in a new initiative to encourage residents to get active this winter by getting involved in a walking challenge.

The Golden Plains Winter Walk challenge encourages residents to push themselves to walk, ride, scoot or skate “virtually” across the shire. There are three challenge goals, which correspond to the approximate distance between some of the Golden Plains Shire’s townships.

The challenge distances include 80km (from Bannockburn to Smythesdale), 40km (from Meredith to Rokewood) and 20km (from Dereel to Cape Clear).

The Winter Walk Challenge runs for eight weeks until August 26, with residents able to complete their challenge goal around their home or town at their own time and pace.

Spot prizes will be awarded throughout the course of the challenge.

Mayor Owen Sharkey encouraged residents to give the challenge a go and stay physically active over winter.

“In the colder months, it’s often harder to find the motivation to get the runners on and head outside, so making exercise more fun and adding competition is a great way to give you that extra bit of motivation,” he said. “I hope to see a plenty of Golden Plains locals join me in taking on the Winter Walk Challenge.”

To sign-up, residents can download the free Strava app and search Winter Walk Challenge, or visit goldenplains. vic. gov. au/ events/ winter-walk-challenge and follow the link.