Campus Recreation

An illustration of different types of shoes, with text reading: "Walktober"

Walktober

Welcome to Walktober 2023!

Walktober is a free, 31-day health promotion challenge designed to motivate and inspire the PSU community to become more active, wherever you are. Set personal goals, enjoy friendly competition, participate in weekly challenges, and earn prizes as you get outside and increase your step count—whenever and wherever you want! Complete the Walktober 2023 registration form and participate as an individual or team, then get walking or rolling!

One of the best parts of Walktober is the opportunity to participate with a team. This year we will continue to create teams based on things walkers might have in common, so if you’d like to be on a team but do not yet have one—we’ve got you covered! Upon registering for the individual challenge via ChallengeRunner, you will be able to select a team to join—just look for any team that says “Open Team.” These groups do not need to meet up in person, it’s simply a way to build connections across campus and enjoy the added motivation of participating with a team.

If you have questions or would like to request accommodations, please contact our Walktober team at walktober@pdx.edu. We’d love to hear from you!

Register

Register for Walktober

Our registration process is easy and opens Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Simply fill out the registration form and follow the link to ChallengeRunner to create an account. You can choose to participate solo or as part of a team of 4-10 members. Youth are also welcome to join the challenge!

For more info on using ChallengeRunner, including how to sync it with a fitness device or smartphone (not required) check out this ChallengeRunner guide.

Register here about Two people in boots, walking on a forest trail with leaves and branches on the ground.

Manual Step Tracking Guide

ActivitySteps per minute
Walking, 30 min mile (2 mph)76
Walking, 20 min mile (3 mph)100
Walking, 15 min mile (4 mph)152
Running, 12 min mile178
Running, 10 min mile222
Running, 8 min mile278

Syncing a Fitness Device or Smartphone

To learn how to sync ChallengeRunner with a fitness device or smartphone (not required), check out this ChallengeRunner guide.

Prizes & Incentives

Step Goal Incentive (310,000 steps total): every participant who accumulates a minimum of 310,000 steps (310 points) will receive our step goal incentive, to be announced after our kick-off event!

Team Prizes (based on a team’s average # of steps): 

  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams will get to choose between three prize options to be announced at our kick-off event (each participant on the team will get their own).

*Individuals on a team are also eligible for the step goal incentive.

*Youth participants are not eligible for prizes.

 

Event Calendar

2023 Walktober Event Calendar

The Walktober 2023 events are listed below, and can also be viewed on the Walktober 2023 Event Calendar PDF. Don’t live close to campus? Fear not! Each week has a virtual walking event and photo challenge to allow participants to engage wherever you are. Read our weekly Walktober newsletter for complete details on the themed weeks below!

October 1: First Day of Walktober!

October 2-8: Welcome Back/Friendly Paws Week 

Join us for a walk through the Park Blocks at our kick-off event. Get to know your Walktober leaders and fellow participants. Pets are encouraged at this walk and all future walks. Let our furry friends by the ultimate icebreakers!

Virtual Engagement: Take your pets out on a new, different, or longer walking adventure this week. Bonus points for dressing your pet in a fun costume and sharing your photos with us! No pets - no problem! Whatever accompanies you on your walks (water, coffee, podcasts, shoes, etc.) is totally great!

Photo Challenge: #walktoberpaws  Capture and share your walk moments with your pet pals. No pets - no problem! Share photos in Challenge Runner of whatever accompanies you on your walks (water, coffee, headphones, podcasts, shoes, etc!).

Dates to Remember

  • Sunday, October 1: First day of Walktober
  • Tuesday, October 3: Kick off Walk | Meet in front of the Rec Center by Cafe Yumm | 5 p.m. 
  • Friday, October 6: Team Registration Deadline

October 9-15: Mindfulness Week

Join us for a wellbeing walk on the South Waterfront. We will practice gratitude and mindfulness, along with the wellbeing benefits of being outdoors and in community. 

Virtual Engagement: Go on a nature walk! Take a peaceful journey through one of Portland's nature treasures. Some of our favorites include: Forest Park, the Columbia Willamette Conjunction Park, and Tryon Creek. If you aren’t local - take your walk into any natural area to experience the added mental health benefits of being outdoors.

Photo Challenge: #mindfulwalktober  Capture and share photos of something you notice during your mindfulness walk in nature (i.e flowers, fall colors, creatures, views). 

Dates to Remember

  • Tuesday, October 10: World Mental Health Day
  • Tuesday, October 10: Wellbeing Walk | Meet in front of the Rec Center by Cafe Yumm | 5p.m. 
  • Friday, October 13: Individual Registration Closes

October 16-22: Harvest Celebration Week

Revel in autumn's beauty with our Autumn Leaf Walk along the waterfront.

Virtual Engagement: Embrace the season with a pumpkin walk! Consider visiting one of Portland’s many pumpkin patches, or searching for pumpkins in your own neighborhood.

Photo Challenge: #harveststride Take and share your best fall foliage snaps!

Dates to Remember

  • Monday, October 16: Walk a Mile
  • Tuesday, October 17: Autumn Leaf Walk | Meet in front of the Rec Center by Cafe Yumm | 5p.m.

October 23-29: Ghost Week

Illuminate the night with our Ghostly Gathering! Dress in glowing accessories and/or white outfits as we trek around Portland's Duniway track at dusk! Glow sticks will be provided for all who attend.

Virtual Engagement: Take part in our spooky scavenger hunt for some additional fun wherever you want to walk! Check our weekly newsletter for specifics.

Photo Challenge: #ghostlywalktober Share experiences of any spooky sights on walks around neighborhoods or haunted sites of your own 

Dates to Remember

  • Tuesday, October 24: Glow in the Dark Walk | Meet in front of the Rec Center by Cafe Yumm | 5p.m.

October 30-November 6: Walktober Wrap Up

  • Tuesday, October 31: Last Day of Walktober
  • Wednesday, November 1: Last Day to Log Steps on ChallengeRunner
  • Monday, November 6: Closing Ceremony & Team Photos | Location: TBD | Time: TBD
Mindful Meanderings logo. A blue sky with yellow sun and green mountains with the following text: Mindful Meanderings Walking Together

Mindful Meanderings Podcast

Listen to the Mindful Meanderings podcast to expand your daily mindfulness practice as you get outside to walk. It’s the perfect way to stay mindful and motivated during Walktober and beyond! Episodes range from practicing gratitude, finding joy, and simply being present in the moment.

Listen to Episodes