CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The City of Charleston will kick off its Power Walking 150 program this Saturday at the Town Center Mall.
The program runs from April 9 through Sept. 5, coinciding with the West Virginia Power baseball team’s 2016 schedule.
People are encouraged to walk, run or bike 150 miles for 150 days. On the final day, participants will be able to get into the Power game for free and receive a Power Walking 150 T-shirt.
Charleston Deputy Mayor Rod Blackstone, who is organizing the program, was a guest on Wednesday’s “580 Live” with Mayor Danny Jones.
He said they came up with the idea two years ago after Men’s Health magazine named Charleston the least healthiest city in America, but they’re hoping to change that.
“If we can get everybody to do that, or as many people as possible, we can go back to Men’s Health magazine the next time they want to say we’re so unhealthy and say ‘No we’re not. We’ve had thousands of people walking millions of miles and running millions of miles and getting healthier,'” he said.
The program allows participants to keep track of their weekly progress on its website throughout the 150 days.
Blackstone said participants will meet at the Charleston Town Center Mall Saturday at 11 a.m.
This year’s partners include West Virginia Radio Corporation, the University of Charleston and the West Virginia Power.
To sign up, visit the Power 150’s website. The registration fee is $5.