Just in time for those New Year’s resolutions, the Newport Recreation Center is hosting another virtual mileage challenge. Like last year, the 2023 challenge will follow an Oregon highway from the Idaho border to the Pacific Ocean. Desert to Coast begins in Nyssa and follows US Highway 26 as it makes its way across the state to Highway 101. The challenge passes through some remote areas of Oregon, crosses several mountain ranges, and passes through Portland. The Newport Recreation Center will be posting about points of interest along the route on their Facebook page as the challenge goes on.
“This is our third year doing a virtual mileage challenge. It’s a great way to not only keep motivated to exercise, but learn some fun things about Oregon along the way,” says Jenni Remillard, Recreation Program Specialist. “This challenge is designed for anyone. You can use any activity you like to get miles; swimming, biking, running, walking, whatever works for you.” The route is long at 472 miles, but people can team up if they want. “Mileage is on the honor system,” says Remillard. “We love for people to post their progress on social media to keep themselves motivated, but we don’t check in on people. For some the journey might take most of the year, but if that’s what gets you in the habit of moving, that’s all that counts!”
Remillard should know, last year she finished the over 3000 miles of US Highway 20 from Newport to Boston, and now she’s working on the miles of Frodo’s journey from the Lord of the Rings series. “It’s what finally motivated me to exercise and keep doing it and I wanted to share that with others,” she says. Participants in the Desert to Coast challenge will get a medal and a color in tracking sheet for their miles. Because it’s a virtual challenge, anyone can sign up. The last 2 challenges had people from 8 states participating. To learn more, visit the Newport Recreation Center’s Facebook page, or register here https://secure.rec1.com/OR/newport-or/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTIzNjA1OTc=
