As temperatures rise, so does the number of people taking advantage of the sunshine and exploring Alabama’s great outdoors. The city of Red Bay is doing its part to encourage that exploration, in partnership with a new statewide initiative.

June 16 at 10 a.m. in Heritage Park in Red Bay, there will be a 100 Alabama Miles Challenge Kick-off Event. Free T-shirts will be available for those who attend, and a one-mile walk will get everyone started on the challenge.

100 Alabama Miles is a new statewide public program presented by The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development and partnering organizations.

“Phil Holmes with the Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness contacted me inviting Red Bay to be one of the 25 kick-off agencies in the State of Alabama for the event. Of course I said yes,” Mayor Charlene Fancher said.

The challenge “encourages all Alabamians to get outside and walk, run, hike, bike, swim, paddle, ride or roll with family and friends at our parks, nature preserves and rivers in 2018,” according to 100alabamamiles.org.

To register for the challenge, a participant must visit 100alabamamiles.org and create an account. Each person’s account has an activity log that will track the miles he or she puts into the system. Virtual “badges” can be earned after a person logs so many miles or logs activity in certain locations.

According to the website, the challenge will “benefit public health, strengthen our sense of community, enhance quality of life and support economic development through recreational tourism and retail sales.”

“The City of Red Bay believes that this program can bring significant health and economic benefits to our part of Alabama,” Fancher said. “We are proud to be a part of the official statewide kickoff June 16. I encourage our citizens to participate.”

The program website provides tips and guidelines on staying safe when participating in physical activities, especially outdoor activities. There is also a map that pinpoints trails and a way to find groups and events that are part of the challenge.