MOBERLY, Mo. – When Candace Rodman pitched the 100 Miles in 100 Days challenge, she thought she’d be lucky if even 100 Randolph County residents signed up.

Rodman, a University of Missouri Extension county engagement specialist in nutrition and health education, wanted to offer a free, fun incentive to get more people moving this summer and spend time outside.

The idea was simple: Sign up to walk, run, ride, kayak or do any kind of exercise the equivalent of 100 miles during the 100 days of summer (June 14-Sept. 22); log your efforts and share your results with friends, family and community.

The MU Extension Council in Randolph County gave the idea its blessing. Co-sponsor Moberly Parks and Recreation and other community partners pitched in to help publicize the challenge.

Calls, emails and office drop-ins flooded into the extension office in Moberly. As of June 14, when registration closed, 432 residents had signed up. Nearby Linn and Macon counties got wind and adopted their own versions of the challenge.

“I thought I’d have to work my hardest to get even 100 people involved, but honestly, we have never been busier,” Rodman said.

She asked the county extension council if she should cap enrollment. “The council members just had a general consensus that this is a really great problem to have, and we’ll figure it out,” said Brandon Krapfl, president of the council. “We were so glad to see that this idea blew everybody’s expectations out of the water.”

Whole families have signed up. Offices and work sites have formed teams. “I think everyone is just itching to get outside after months of being indoors,” Rodman said.

Among the first to sign up were more than half the members of the Little Dixie Regional Libraries staff. “The idea is awesome. I know it’s going to be a good motivator,” said Rachael Grime, director of the library system, which is also a main sponsor. “When you have a combined goal, it’s something fun to do to get healthier and spend time together.”

“This program fits well with our desire to get kids and others unplugged and outdoors being active,” said Troy Bock, director of Moberly Parks and Recreation. “The timing is right. Especially after COVID-19, there’s no better time, as people are really seeing the value of outdoor activity.”

Rodman said the challenge has been a great way for both the county extension center and Moberly Parks and Rec to tell people about their programs and services.

Registration comes with a T-shirt and activity log. Participants are encouraged to take a picture while out moving and tag it to the MU Extension in Randolph County Facebook page with #100miles100days.

Those who make the 50-mile mark will receive a water bottle. Those who make it to 100 miles by Sept. 22, when the challenge ends, will get a nice “swag bag” of health-related items like pedometers and jump ropes.

Other sponsors include Building Communities for Better Health, Randolph County Health Department, Century 21: McKeown & Associates, County Bank, Edward Jones: Tim Seidel, Caring Community Partnership, American Family Insurance: Joe Kruse Agency, 4-H of Randolph County, Busy Busy Beavers Randolph County 4-H Club, McKeown Farm & Lawn, STLF Transportation and Kiwanis Moberly.

Images available:

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2021/20210623-CinC-1.png
Jenny Cummings, a member of the Randolph County Extension Council, turned Candace Rodman's idea into the graphic used on T-shirts and other materials for the 100 Miles in 100 Days challenge.

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2021/20210623-CinC-2.png
Candace Rodman's concept for the 100 Miles in 100 Days graphic.