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Date: 2/2/2022
AMHERST – Looking for a community activity this winter to stay active? Join the Walking Challenge against other Amherst communities.
Challenged by other Amherst municipalities across the country and in Canada, Amherst, MA, has joined the friendly competition. Started in 2021 by the town of Amherst, Novia Scotia, the challenge was an attempt to keep people active during the winter weary second month of February. Each town will ask their community members to help them be the Amherst with the most miles at the end of February.
“We certainly hope there will be community interest, pairing the benefits of getting out and being active with a little friendly competition – that we hope will end with bragging rights for us here in Amherst, Massachusetts,” said Brianna Sunryd, communications manager and community participation officer for Amherst.
It its inaugural year, communities attempted to see which town could travel the fastest from Amherst, Nova Scotia, to Amherst, TX, and back, while “visiting as many Amhersts in North America as possible.” This year, the challengers are just seeking to walk further than any of their counterparts.
“We came in a solid second last year and this year, we’re aiming to walk further than any of our American friends,” said Allison Watson, Amherst, Novia Scotia’s active living coordinator, ahead of this years Amherst vs. Amherst Walking Challenge.
At the end of the month, the number of miles each community travels will be added up and the winner will be determined on a miles per capita basis.
“The only goal we have this year in the challenge is for our community to get outdoors, have fun and stay active while also showing some local Amherst pride,” said Sunryd. “Our community is proud of our ample recreation areas and trails. We look forward to hitting the ground this February.”
Starting Feb. 1, residents of each community are encouraged to walk, jog, run, roll, snowshoe, hike, or other activity and then log the distance traveled at www.amherstma.gov/challenge.
Participants can enter miles as they go or add them weekly. Reporting is on the honor system and is anonymous. Amherst, MA, encourages the community to join this challenge in amplifying the local Amherst pride in the friendly competition. You can also take a photo of yourself participating in the activity and share it to social media, tagging @TownofAmherst and using hashtags #AmherstMA and #AmherstVSAmherst.