Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s sixth annual summer health initiate launched on June 3 from the City Hall Rotunda for a one-mile walk that combined excise, community, and a photo op with the Bucks mascot, Bango.

The Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days Challenge kick off event began with a group led stretch, followed by a motivational pep talk from Mayor Barrett, and a raffle for prizes. The first 200 participants received a free Summerfest ticket and a 26 oz. aluminum sports bottle.

“I have the honor of going to just about every neighborhood in the city during these walks,” said Mayor Barrett. “What I find everywhere is people who love their children, people who want to have a job to support their families, and people who want to be safe. That’s the common denominator in every neighborhood. So, the more that we all get the opportunity to visit different neighborhoods, the more we can appreciate our rich diversity, and see how we all want to make this a better place to live in.”

Mayor Barrett created #Walk100 with the belief that when residents walk alongside people in their community, relationships are formed and our city becomes stronger. Throughout the summer, Walk 100 partners with community organizations, elected officials, and residents to host walks in all corners of the city.

“In 2013, I created the Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days Challenge with the belief that when residents walk alongside people in their community, relationships are formed and our city becomes stronger. Walk 100’s overall goal is to increase physical activity among residents while promoting Milwaukee’s unique neighborhoods,” added Mayor Barrett. “If people can’t join our scheduled walks, walk on your own, in a group or join one of the many community walks coming soon to work toward the goal of walking 100 miles in 100 days.”

Participants can walk on their own, in a group or join one of the many community walks to work toward the goal of walking 100 miles in 100 days. Every step counts. During the 100 day period, walkers can track and monitor their progress on the program’s web site. Individual participants will also have the ability to see what upcoming walks will be taking place in the community.

Throughout the summer, Walk 100 partners with community organizations, elected officials, and residents to host walks in all corners of the city. Program participants will have a chance to win various prizes by hitting certain benchmarks over the course of the 100 days. All participants who complete the 100 mile goal at the end of the 100th day will be eligible for the program’s prize drawing in September.