WICHITA, Kan. — Hang out in Fairmount Park on a Tuesday or Thursday around 8:00 a.m., and you’ll soon encounter an enthusiastic group of up to 50 walkers of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels taking charge of their health with a simple “walk in the park.”
These fitness walkers are participants of Win the Day, an eight-week health and fitness series for residents of Shocker Neighborhoods, the neighborhoods surrounding Wichita State University. Led by local fitness instructor Denise Colborn, Win the Day is a partnership of Shocker Neighborhood Coalition, Wichita State University Public Policy and Management Center, City of Wichita Park and Recreation, and Denise Colborn Fitness. Funding for the fitness series is provided by a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation.
Fitness walking classes meet four times per week at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with morning classes held in Fairmount Park and evening classes held on Wichita State University campus. In addition to improved health for residents of Shocker Neighborhoods, the goals of Win the Day are to help cultivate pride in these communities and strengthen their connection with the university.
“It is great to see Wichita State University and its surrounding residents work together to provide a sense of community both physically and mentally. Each participant has made strides in their physically ability as they continue to increase their walking distance,” says Colborn. “Every session brings great pride to the community that can be witnessed by the continuous increase in participation, the joy and laughter demonstrated each session and by the new friendships that continue to emerge.”
With the help of her “navigators”—Colborn’s partner participants who engage neighbors and help keep them accountable—the series has been hugely successful, averaging around a dozen morning walkers and over 50 walkers per class in the evenings! While the series offers fun incentives for repeat participation, like a digital fitness watch and backpack, most walkers come out to enjoy time with the group around the park or university.
Richard Davis is a diabetic amputee who joined the morning walking group because he says he enjoys the park and his fellow participants. He says it makes a difference “to be participating with people, you know, because you can motivate each other. […] That helps to have them. They encourage you because they say ‘go at your own pace.’”
Davis has even lost weight as a result of his attendance at classes, and he’s working up to complete the 5k walk/run scheduled for the end of the series. “Main thing, you know, is try to complete the course. […] It’s encouraging, it’s something to do, it’s a challenge. Even just to finish, you know, I’d take that any day.”
To celebrate the end of the fitness series, Win the Day partnering organizations will host a 5k walk/run for participants as well as the public. The Shocker Neighborhood 5k will take place on Saturday, July 28, with a route starting in Fairmount Park and running through Wichita State campus. Registration starts at 7:00 a.m. and the race starts at 8:00. Cost is $20 for validated bib tag with chip timing and a T-shirt while they last. To learn more and sign up, visit runsignup.com/shocker. Come join us! It’s just a walk in the park.
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Contact:
Kayla Vix, marketing coordinator, Wichita State University Public Policy and Management Center, kayla.vix@wichita.edu, 316-978-6688
Wichita State University's Shocker Neighborhood Coalition (SNC) is a partnership of Wichita State University faculty, staff and students that works to connect the University with its neighboring communities. The SNC works alongside neighborhood residents to build healthy and active residential communities around the campus.
The Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC) at Wichita State University advances public good by strengthening people, organizations and communities. The PPMC provides expertise and support to local governments and nonprofits in the areas of research, talent development and community engagement.
The Kansas Health Foundation is based in Wichita, but statewide in its focus. With a mission to improve the health of all Kansans, KHF envisions a culture in which every Kansan can make healthy choices where they live, work and play. To achieve this, KHF focuses its work in four impact areas: access to affordable health care, healthy behaviors, civic and community engagement and educational attainment. During its 30-year history, KHF has provided more than $500 million in grants to Kansas communities and organizations, and looks forward to working toward its mission and vision for many years to come.