Mayor’s Fitness Challenge begins next week

ASHEBORO — It’s that time for the annual Mayors Fitness Challenge, a chance to get in better shape or lose some weight or just have some fun.

Or all three at once!

The Mayors’ Fitness Challenge is a wellness competition between individuals and teams from area schools, businesses, churches, civic clubs, government agencies and other organizations participating in activities that can be tracked using a fitness conversion tool found on the Healthy Communities website.

The Mayors’ Fitness Challenge is an “all activity” challenge. Almost any activity, from walking to gardening, can be converted into steps. Everyone is encouraged to join in this free wellness challenge.

This year, all events will celebrate the Great Trails State and the official Great Trails State Day on Saturday, Oct. 17.

Key dates

Sept. 16 — Kickoff video presentation available via YouTube link. To view the link, and sign up as an individual or team, go to: www.healthycommunitiesA3.com

Sept. 26 — Begin logging your activities! This is the official start of the 2026 Mayors’ Fitness Challenge.

Nov. 15 — This is the final day for logging steps as part of the Challenge.

Dec. 9 — Awards Ceremony, County Office Building at 5:30 p.m.

Awards

General Awards — Recognition and prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female individuals logging the most steps on the conversion tool and to the top three teams with the most steps.

School Awards — The Superintendent’s Cup will be awarded to the top County school with the most steps per student.

The Mayor’s Cup will be awarded to the top Asheboro City school with the most steps per student. 

Events

All events are free for participants and open to the public.

MAYORS’ WALKS — Saturdays at 9 a.m. at a different county town or city each week:

Oct. 3: 5K (walk/run) at Archdale’s Creekside Park; Oct. 10: Randleman’s Deep River Greenway (117 Presnell St.); Oct. 17: Asheboro’s Zoo City Sportsplex at 9 a.m., Archdale’s Creekside Park at 9 a.m., Franklinville Rail Trail/Bush Creek Bridge at 2 p.m.; Oct. 24: Ramseur’s Rail Trail at Sandy Creek Trailhead (5960 US Hwy 64); Oct. 31: Liberty’s Freedom Park; Nov. 7: Seagrove’s Clay Presnell Park; Nov. 14: Trinity’s City Hall Annex (6703 NC Hwy 62)

HIKES (Sundays at 2 p.m.). All hikers meet at the Downtown Asheboro Farmer’s Market at 1:30 p.m. or at site of the hike at 2 p.m.

Oct. 4: Joe Moffit Trailhead to Little Long Mtn

in Uwharrie National Forest; Oct. 11: Ridge’s Mtn State Nature Preserve; Oct. 18: Caraway Creek Preserve Oct. 25: Mt Shepherd Retreat Center to the highest point in Randolph County; Nov. 1: Caraway Conference Center & Camp; Nov. 8: Purgatory Mountain/NC Zoo

Hikes & walks are subject to weather cancellation. Questions? Contact Mary Joan Pugh at 336-963-2715 or maryjoan.pugh@randolphcountync. gov.