Welcome

Motivating Central Wisconsin to live healthier, more active lives by producing and promoting challenging aerobic activities and recreational resources that encourage active lifestyles.

What is your favorite way to be active? Get out and get moving in Portage County, Wisconsin. Explore the wonderful ways to stay moving and healthy on foot or bike in the Central Wisconsin region. Register and train for an upcoming event with family and friends, or just explore the trails and routes for fun.

Being active helps reduce the risks of heart disease, diabetes, stress-related issues and other health problems stemming from being sedentary. Find fun ways to reduce your risk, and participate in local health and fitness events, like Walk Wisconsin.

Featured Event

Sep

Hard Rocks Hiking Challenge

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Featured Event

Oct

Moon Walk Wisconsin

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Sponsors

Active Portage County News

Get Ready for Active Portage County Events

Active Portage County hosts annual fitness events to promote healthy lifestyles to people of all ages. Mark your calendar for four of our fun hosted events:

Walk Wisconsin walking marathon under the summer sunshine each June along the Green Circle Trail.

Moon Walk Wisconsin each October following the Tomorrow River State Trail. (Biggest perk? Enjoying the natural beauty of the Tomorrow River State Trail under the light of the full moon!)

A non-competitive hiking challenge called the Hard Rocks Hiking Challenge hosted at Standing Rocks County Park in September (when the fall foliage is at its peak).

Pack each season of your calendar with enough feel-good fitness endorphins to keep you going year round. Visit the events tab on our website for a complete list of year-round active events.

The Details:

During Walk Wisconsin in June there are four distance walking options to choose from, including the ¼ marathon (6.5 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles) and full marathon (26.2 miles). There is also a Kids Walk Wisconsin option for children and their families that include a 2.62 mile or 1.31 mile walk.

Moon Walk Wisconsin is similar in set-up, but offers 12, 8 and 4 mile walking options along the limestone covered Tomorrow River State Trail. Lit pumpkins act as mile markers and sporting a costume during the walk is encouraged.

To pose an active challenge while capitalizing on the positive benefits of walking, the Hard Rocks Hiking Challenge was born. Take in the breathtakingly beautiful landscapes at Standing Rocks while pushing yourself on breathtakingly challenging hiking routes with 8K (5.2 miles) and 12K (8.3 mile) distance options.

Events featured on the Active Portage County website allow all ages and ability levels to participate in non-competitive, multiple distance fitness opportunities. Each of our events encourages people to live healthy lifestyles all year long.

Did you know that walking, hiking and biking are effective ways to improve personal health, lower stress and encourage weight loss? In addition to numerous positive health benefits, these activities are a great way to pass the time with family and friends. John Jury, an Active Portage County Committee member, agrees. ” Participating in each event we host is a great way for families and friends to spend quality time together while improving their health.”

Set yourself up for success! Training schedules and registration forms for Walk Wisconsin, Moon Walk Wisconsin, Hard Rocks Hiking Challenge and PedaLoops are available at ActivePortageCounty.com. A full calendar of events that promote healthy living is available at here.

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Event Participant Testimonials

Can’t find the motivation you need to get on track to living a healthier lifestyle? Past participants of Walk Wisconsin share their stories about how this event positively influenced their physical, emotional and mental health.

“I needed a goal in my life, something to look forward to, and Walk Wisconsin turned out to be the best thing for me. When I first heard about Walk Wisconsin, I started out thinking one mile was a long walk. But today that's just barely a warm up for me. Walking keeps me well!” – Michaelene

“I heard about the walk from folks in my Weight Watchers class and I wanted to train for it and try it. I completed the walk in 3 hours and 17 minutes and only took two bathroom/food breaks along the way. Walk Wisconsin felt great!” – Leo G.

"After losing several family members over recent years to diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease, I felt it was finally time to take care of myself. I have been severely overwight my entire life, and this past January I started the Weight Watchers Program. I've since lost 40lbs and am still going strong. My sister-in-law is a runner and is always encouraging me to do a run with her. When I heard the radio ad for Walk Wisconsin, I KNEW we had to do it together! I called her to tell her about it, and we signed up that night. Non-competitive and running was discouraged . . . that was JUST what I was looking for. We walked the ¼ marathon together chatting and catching up along the way. The experience was so good that I made an appointment with my doctor to talk about whether or not running is a good choice for me. If so, I plan to start training for my first 5K! Regardless of what the doctor says about running, my sister-in-law and I will be back for Walk Wisconsin again. Thank you for doing what you do and being a part of my journey!" - Rhonda E.

“I've done Walk Wisconsin every year but one. Now I'm 83 and I just wanted to see if I could still do it. I did!” – Marilyn W.

“I have been a long devotee to exercise. Several years ago (after I had to give up running) my wife got me walking half-marathons – this is how we found Walk Wisconsin. Walk Wisconsin is without question scenic and the non-competitive, no-timing-chip nature is refreshing. We live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and we think the 4 hour drive to Stevens Point is well worth the experience. I tell every walker I know that they must do Walk Wisconsin sometime in their lifetime. I wear my "Walk Wisconsin" cap with pride everywhere I go.” – Dennis Y.

“Walking a marathon was on my bucket list and having a ‘walker’s only’ event was great. The Green Circle Trail is perfect and the variety of terrain, surface and scenery made the time fly by. Two friends joined me on the walk and we made the event a road trip as we live in the Kansas City area. I would love to do Walk Wisconsin again. This event will be hard to beat!” – Vicki K.

“This event is a great way to stay active, and I absolutely love the Green Circle Trail. It is beautiful. This is a day for my friends and I to detach from the crazy lives we have to enjoy our friendships and tons of nature in a healthy way.“ – Leanne B.

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Get Ready for Walk Wisconsin!

Join the fun for the annual Walk Wisconsin event, as it goes virtual in 2021! Walk your distance, from a quarter to full marathon from Saturday, May 29 through Saturday, June 5, 2021 from wherever you are!

Walk Wisconsin allows all ages and ability levels to participate in a non-competitive, distance walking event. Being the leading walking event in the Midwest it encourages people to continue to live healthy lifestyles all year long.

Walking is an effective way to improve personal health, lower stress, encourage weight loss and has many other positive benefits. John Jury, a Walk Wisconsin Committee member states,” It is a great, active way for families and friends to spend quality time together, while improving their health.” There are plenty of options to choose from, including the ¼ marathon (6.5 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), and full marathon (26.2 miles) options.

Training schedules and registration forms are available at www.WalkWisconsin.com

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Upcoming Events

January 05, 2021

Free Tai Chi

Join Deborah Adams in a weekly Tai Chi class. “Movements are easy and flowing, and as she says, if you are doing something, you are doing it right.” No previous experience necessary. Free and open to the public. 60 minutes – Free

Clinically shown to:

-Reduce Stress & Boost the Immune System
-Lower Blood Pressure & Aid in the Healing of Major Illnesses
-Reduce Anxiety and Depression and Open Clarity in the Mind
-Reduce Joint Pain
-Improve Balance and Coordination and Increase Full Range of Motion
-Enhance Restorative Sleep

Ages 10 & Up

September 25, 2021

Flow Yoga

This vinyasa class will guide you to build strength, balance and flexibility as you synchronize your breath with movement. Center your mind and experience vibes of renewal in a lovely spa setting. Offered at The Wellness Spa, located at 3916 Water Street, Stevens Point, WI.

October 07, 2021

Prenatal Yoga 3-Week Series

Connect mind, body, breath, and baby!
In this 3-week series, Ana shares the most beneficial yoga postures, sequences, and breath techniques to support pregnant women at any trimester.
The ambience at The Wellness Spa provides a sanctuary for self-care, confidence, and connection that you and baby will love coming back for week after week!
Prenatal yoga helps improve sleep, reduce stress, decrease low back pain, nausea, and headaches.
Let all of your tension and anxiety go, and embrace the strength, flexibility, and endurance needed for childbirth.
Register online at: https://www.anamarieyoga.com/prenatalyoga.html

Photo by sippakorn yamkasikorn on Unsplash

October 22, 2021

The Friends of Standing Rocks Lite the Nite 5K Fun(d) Run

Come help the Friends of Standing Rocks Park Do More for the Rocks! Trail Run on the Pankowski Lighted Trail. Assorted Beverages, Snacks and Food will be on the Patio at the Behnke Olson Outdoor Recreation Center (BOORC). No Pre-Registration, just show up and run! We will time non-competitive runners if you want. Walkers are welcome! Awards will go to top male and female runners. Start and Finish will be at the BOORC. This is a low key run aimed at helping the Friends of Standing Rocks Park improve the park for outdoor recreation. Donations will be accepted by the Friends Group.

March 05, 2022

Point Bock Run

The Stevens Point Brewery is proud to announce its 19th annual “Point Bock 5 Mile Run” Saturday, March 5, 2022. The run will begin at the brewery, Saturday afternoon at 12:00 noon. The Point Bock Run will draw 2,000 runners of all ages and abilities, with proceeds donated to promote and support the sport of running and healthy lifestyles in Central Wisconsin. After the run, enjoy brews from the Stevens Point Brewery in the heated tent across the street.

August 13, 2022

Hustle Smore for Lions Camp

Sign up to participate in our 5K or 10K run/walk, 15 mile bike ride or 1 mile donut dash. Our certified 5K course winds through our scenic trails while the bike ride starts and ends at Camp and takes you through the beautiful back roads of central Wisconsin. All races are chip-timed (except the donut dash) and participants will have the opportunity to earn medals. Our 13th year is our lucky year - we'll be offering additional fun with instant scratch off tickets, swag and a find the logo scavenger hunt. Join us to support a free camp experience for Wisconsin youth and adults with disabilities.

September 10, 2022

Walk for Hope 5K

Join your friends and neighbors by walking to provide HOPE towards preventing suicide and creating AWARENESS of mental health.

September 17, 2022

Pointoberfest and Blubber Run 5K

Pointoberfest returns for its 10th outing. With over 20 brews on tap, dust off those lederhosen and join in on the fun!

Pointoberfest

There's nothing better than your favorite frosty brews in a boot glass while listening to live music! Enjoy 20+ Point brews, Whole Hog beers, Ciderboys hard ciders, and Tea Runner hard iced teas with special tappings on the hour.

• Date: Saturday, September 17, 2022
• Time: 4PM – 8PM
• Location: Point Brewery Parking Lot

Must be 21+ to participate. Ein prosit!
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Pointoberfest Blubber Run 5K

Oom-pah-pah your way over to the beer tent by participating in the 5K Fun Run. Upgrade your Pointoberfest experience as registration to the Blubber Run includes admission to Pointoberfest, a t-shirt, and a Point Beer Stop half-way through the race with polka music. Don’t forget to dress-up for the costume contest! Limited to 500 runners. Awards given out to first place male and female runners and best individual and team costumes.

Must be 21+ to participate. Bier laufen!

• Date: Saturday, September 17, 2022
• Time: Packet Pick-Up at 2PM, Race Time at 3PM
• Location: Start & Finish at the Point Brewery

March 04, 2023

Point Bock Run

The Point Bock Run is a 5-mile out-and-back road race.

Date - Always the first Saturday in March,
Field - Limited to 2,000 runners
Age Group Records - All runners setting a new age group record receive a complimentary entry to the subsequent year's run.
Age Group Winners - All age group winners are guaranteed entry into the subsequent year's run.
Post-race party - Located in the large heated tent immediately adjacent to the finish line.

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