Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days kicks off with journey along photos and sculptures

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s fifth annual summer health initiate launched on June 4 from City Hall, combining excise, community, and the arts.

The Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days Challenge kick off event began with a group led stretch, followed by a motivational pep talk from Mayor Barrett, and a raffle for prizes.

“When it comes to our health and wellness, every step counts,” said Mayor Barrett. “My Walk 100 Challenge is an effort to motivate people from all corners of Milwaukee to get out, stay active, and have fun. It’s a great way to explore the beautiful neighborhoods of our community.”

This year’s walk explores art by Sculpture Milwaukee, winner of the 2018 Mayor’s Design Awards, and by artist Mauricio Ramirez, responsible for the utility box paintings lining Wisconsin Avenue. The walk included an interactive map encouraging participants to spot art along the route.

Throughout the summer, Mayor Barrett encourages all city residents to walk and track their miles using the online system for a chance to compete with other residents and win special prizes.

On display at the kick off event was a photo exhibit created by ZIP MKE. The exhibit is a collection of self-submitted photos from residents in every zip code around Milwaukee. The exhibit will continue to be displayed in the City Hall rotunda through June 15.

A newly added photo challenge encourages city residents to photograph faces, community spaces, objects, and moments during the walk. Images submitted via social media using the hashtag #Walk100 have a chance to be featured on the Mayor’s social media page, ZIP MKE website, and also win an annual Bublr Bike pass and other prizes.

“Both ZIP MKE and Walk 100 envision a healthy, connected city that is aware of its possibilities. When walkers reach the end of their journeys, we hope that they will become a bit more familiar with each other and with the neighborhood, its residents, homes, and business – and that they’ll then return.” said Dominic Inouye, Founder ZIP MKE. “Because ZIP MKE’s mission is to celebrate neighborhoods, engage and connect communities, and increase social perspectives, it seemed a perfect fit to have ZIP help run the photo challenge for the Walk 100, encouraging participants to help add to the growing photo album of the city with uplifting images they see on their walks.”

Participants can see the full summer calendar of neighborhood walks from the city’s website, and track mileage progress online.

Mayor Barrett created the Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days Challenge in 2013 with the belief that when residents walk alongside people in their community, relationships are formed and our city becomes stronger.

Walk 100’s overall goal is to increase physical activity among residents while promoting the uniqueness of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods. Throughout the summer, Walk 100 partners with community organizations, elected officials, and residents to host walks in all corners of the city.