Campus Recreation

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

Walktober

Welcome to Walktober 2025!

A Month of Community Building and Goal Setting

Walk and Roll

Walktober is a free, 4 week health promotion event designed to motivate the PSU community to connect with each other and become more active. Set personal goals, enjoy friendly competition, participate in weekly challenges, and have a chance to earn prizes as you get outside and increase your step count—whenever and wherever you want! Complete the Walktober 2025 registration form and participate as an individual or team, then get walking or rolling!

We will be starting Walktober this year on October 6th and will end on November 6th. To celebrate the start of Walktober we will be having a kick-off event on October 6th from 12:15-1:30 pm at ASRC 215 at Campus Rec! Join us for a good time and to meet new people to form teams for Walktober. We will also be unveiling our calendar and promoting our group walks scheduled around the PSU area. The kick-off event includes a walk around campus from 12:45-1:25 pm. 

One of the best parts of Walktober is the opportunity to participate with a team. This year we will have open groups for students and staff/faculty, 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 Challenge Runner,  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 Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Simply fill out the registration form and follow the link to Challenge Runner to create an account. You can choose to participate solo or as part of a team of 3-10 members. Youth are also welcome to join the challenge!

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

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

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.

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

 

Information for Wheelchair users

If you already have an activity tracker that you use, simply sync your device to Challenge Runner in order to track “steps” in our challenge.

If you do not have an activity tracker and you would like to enter your steps manually, you can track 100 steps for each minute of rolling. For information on how to enter steps manually, refer to the Challenge Runner guide. 
 

Prizes & Incentives

This year we are having participants set their own personal steps goal. Participants who reach their personal goal, will be entered into a raffle for a Walktober T-shirt at the end of the challenge. In order to be entered for a prize, you will need to submit a registration form and answer our post survey.
 

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

  • This year, the top three teams will not be eligible for additional prizes, but will be recognized at the end of our challenge.
  • All participating teams will be eligible to be awarded superlatives, based on the amount of community and participation they gather. Stay tuned for our superlative categories!

*Individuals on a team are also eligible for the step goal incentive.
*Youth participants are not eligible for prizes.

Event Calendar

WalktoberCalendar

2025 Walktober Event Calendar

The Walktober 2025 events are listed below, and can also be viewed on the Walktober 2025 Event Calendar PDF. Don’t live close to campus? Fear not! Each week has an activity to allow participants to engage wherever you are. Read our weekly Walktober newsletter for complete details on the themed weeks below!

October 6: First Day of Walktober!

Start tracking your steps and encourage friends and colleagues to join you! The last day to join the challenge as a team is Friday, October 10th, 2025.

Join us for the kick-off event on Monday October 6th at 12:40pm! Location: ASCR 215
Learn about Walktober and meet new friends to walk and roll with all month-long!

October 6-12: Welcome to Campus Week

Join us for a walk around campus and meet new friends! Engage in a scavenger hunt along the way!

Downtown Walk
Starting Point: PSU Rec Center entrance (near Cafe Yumm)
Distance: 1.2 miles
Estimated Time: 27 minutes
Terrain: slight slope downwards
Accessibility: Entire path is paved, starting and ending on a ramp accessible plaza between two MAX stops and a streetcar stop.

View the Walk Route Here

At Home Challenge:  Take a walk at a local park!

Dates to Remember:

  • Monday, October 6: Kick off Walk | Meet in front of the Rec Center by Cafe Yumm | 1:00pm
  • Friday, October 10: Deadline for Team and Individual Registration

October 13-19: Community Week

Join us for a walk down by the waterfront near campus! 

Waterfront Loop
Starting Point: PSU Rec Center entrance (near Cafe Yumm)
Distance: 1.6 miles
Estimated Time: 40 minutes
Terrain: Completely Paved
Accessibility: Completely paved, steep hills
Description: Enjoy a nice stroll to Mill Ends Park and view some of Portland’s most admired scenery and architecture. 

View the Walk Route Here

At Home Challenge: Walk with a friend, colleague, family member, or pet

Dates to Remember

  • Thursday, October 16: Waterfront Walk | Meet in front of the Rec Center by Cafe Yumm | 5:40pm

October 20-26: Mental Health Week

Take a stroll with us around the park blocks of PSU. Enjoy the peace and calm of nature with us on this relaxing walk. 

Walk the Park Blocks
Starting Point: PSU Rec Center entrance (near Cafe Yumm)
Distance: 1.5 miles
Estimated Time: 35 minutes
Terrain: Slight slope downward
Accessibility: Entire path is paved, starting and ending on a ramp accessible plaza between two MAX stops and a Streetcar stop
Description: Get to know the PSU campus and its surrounding Park Blocks. Pass by many Portland coffee shops and cafes, the Portland Art Museum, and the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. 

View the Walk Route Here

At Home Challenge: Take a walk with a meditation recording

Dates to Remember

  • Tuesday, October 21: Park Walk | Meet in front of the Rec Center by Cafe Yumm | 12:40pm

October 27-November 1: Harvest Week

Be prepared for evening thrills as we venture to a historical and (allegedly) haunted spot in Portland. Participants are encouraged to dress up in costumes and bring their favorite spooky stories to share!

Haunted Hotel Walk
Starting Point: PSU Rec Center entrance (near Cafe Yumm)
Distance: 1.3 miles
Estimated Time: 35 minutes
Terrain: Completely Paved
Accessibility: Entire path is paved
Description: Get to know the haunted hotel of PSU. Engage in a costume walk with the PSU community. 

View the Walk Route Here

At Home Challenge: Trick or Treat Costume Walk

Dates to Remember

  • Thursday, October 30: Spooky Walk | Meet in front of the Rec Center by Cafe Yumm | 5:40pm
  • Friday, November 7: Last day of Walktober, Final Day to Log Hours

Walktober FAQs

Q. Can I bring my pet or child with me on a walk? 

A: Yes, you are welcome to bring pets on leashes and children on Walktober events!

Q. What kind of attire should I wear for Walktober events?

A: Walktober events are not strenuous and any form of walking attire is welcome. Sneakers or other comfortable shoes are highly encouraged. 

Q. What is the pace of the walk? What is the terrain like?

A: We try to go at a pace that anyone can join in on for accessibility reasons. Please feel free to bring small children or your mobility aids! There will also be no hiking/rough terrain. 

Q. How long are the planned walktober walks?

A: Walktober event walks are around 40 mins long with time to gather and close on either end. 

Q. What should I bring with me on a walktober walk?

A: Water or other hydration is highly suggested! Umbrellas or rain jackets may also be a good idea as Oregon Fall’s are very rainy. Checking the weather the day of is encouraged. Snacks are also encouraged as food is not provided on walks!

Q. Can I bring a non-PSU family member or friend with me on the walks?

A: Yes, your friends and family are welcome to join!