University of Arkansas Calls on Faculty, Staff, Students to Log 1,000 Miles on Oct. 9

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Attention University of Arkansas faculty, staff and students: bring your running or walking shoes to work on Friday, Oct. 9. Intramural/Recreational Sports wants your help in logging 1,000 miles that day.

Intramural/Recreational Sports, which operates campus recreation and fitness programs, is sponsoring a daylong event to promote physical activity and healthy living through running or walking. The event was inspired by National Run at Work Day promoted by the Road Runners Club of America.

“Walking and running are very basic, easily accessible ways to be physically active,” said Katie Helms, assistant director of fitness/wellness for the department, which is part of the College of Education and Health Professions. “Walking and running are good activities to incorporate into your workday. Necessary equipment is minimal – just a good pair of shoes.”

A safe place to walk or run is also important, and the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building provides that with a fitness center on the second floor and indoor track on the fourth floor. The IMRS Web site provides membership information as well as schedules for group exercise, club sports and intramural sports.

Faculty, staff and students are invited to visit the HPER Building between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, to check in and then log at least 30 minutes of running or walking in the building or on campus. IMRS will count 3 miles per 30 minutes toward the 1,000 mile goal. Upon checkout, participants will receive a gift for their commitment to making the campus healthier. Upon reaching the goal of 1,000 miles, all participants will receive 50 percent off a 30-minute massage at the HPER.

The event is open to all faculty, staff and students, regardless of whether they have a membership to the HPER Building. Those who do not have a membership will be given access to the building that day to use the equipment, including lockers and showers. People who want to take part in a 3-mile outdoor group run are asked to meet at 12:15 p.m. at the east entrance of the HPER on Stadium Drive.

“We want to show people who work at the University of Arkansas a fun, easy way that they can incorporate activity into the work day,” Helms said. “You can run or walk inside on the treadmills or the track, and we will also have maps showing 1-, 2- and 3-mile routes on campus.

“Being physically active has been shown to reduce the risks of various diseases and other health problems,” she continued. “It also sharpens our mental focus and problem-solving capabilities, making us more productive workers.”

The HPER Building houses 10 racquetball courts, four basketball gyms, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, climbing wall, men’s and women’s saunas and the Human Performance Laboratory. In addition to the Donna Axum Fitness Center, the HPER also offers personal training, massage, group exercise classes, sports clubs and camping, hiking and other recreational trips sponsored by the Outdoor Connection Center. IMRS sponsors 5K and 10K events in February each year around the time of the Tyson Invitational indoor track meet.