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

Walk Wisconsin 2020 has been canceled.

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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!

Stevens Point will be hosting the annual Walk Wisconsin event Saturday, June 1, 2019 along the Green Circle Trail. Walk Wisconsin allows all ages and ability levels to participate in a non-competitive, multiple distances 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 four options to choose from, including the ¼ marathon (6.5 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), and full marathon (26.2 miles) options. There is also a Kids Walk Wisconsin option for children and their families that includes a 2.6 mile or 1.3 mile walk. Training schedules and registration forms are available for you at www.walkwisconsin.com.

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Upcoming Events

June 30, 2020

Arthritis Foundation Exercises Class Live (Online/Virtual)

The ADRC Presents Live Online Workshops.

Join a live Arthritis Foundation Certified Instructor for a 45 minute class designed to help reduce pain and stiffness, restore and maintain joint range of motion, maintain muscle strength, improve balance and coordination, decrease fatigue and increase endurance. Prevent depression, improve mood, sleep, and health status.

Call the ADRC to learn more 715-346-1401

June 30, 2020

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

July 01, 2020

Virtual Diabetes Support Group

Interested adults don't have to be involved with the ADRC to join the groups, which are hosted the first and third Wednesday of the month for Diabetes. To sign up or taking part with the virtual groups, call the ADRC of Portage County at (715) 346-1401.

Photo by Kate on Unsplash

October 07, 2020

Healthy Living With Diabetes-VIRTUAL

This researched and proven workshop is designed to help adults with Type 2 diabetes learn skills and increase their confidence to manage their diabetes. People with pre-diabetes, Type 1, or caregivers are welcome to join! The workshop meets for 2½ hours once a week for seven weeks.

Please call to reserve a spot: 715-346-1401 or 1- 866-920-2525

Telephonic Workshops are available if you do not have access to reliable internet. Please contact us to arrange for this option with a certified leader. Call: 715-346-1401 or 1-866-920-2525

October 27, 2020

UWSP School of Ed presents Man Without a Country: NBA Player Enes Kanter Fights for Justice

Enes Kanter a Swiss-born stateless NBA player of Turkish origin. He was originally selected as the third overall pick of the 2011 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz and has played for the Boston Celtics since 2019. Enes was indicted in Turkey in 2018 on charges of belonging to an armed terrorist group, which he denies. He is awaiting U.S. citizenship.

Enes will be speaking to UW-Stevens Point students, faculty/staff, and community members on diversity in professional sports while sharing his story that involves his struggles with the Turkish government because of his different ideas. Enes will answer your questions at the end of the presentation.

Pre-register here.

November 14, 2020

HouseCall - A Virtual Celebration of Community Healthcare

On Saturday, November 14th, 2020 residents of Portage County will come together from the safety and comfort of their home to enjoy an engaging and interactive fundraising video event presented by St. Michael’s Foundation.

Although we are shifting from an in-person event to an online virtual fundraiser this year, we still need the generous support of our donors. Now more than ever, the need is great. COVID-19 has presented some real and tangible impacts in our community and on our fundraising mission.

Our compassionate response to challenging times is to never give up doing what is best for our community. For this reason we have created a new virtual event: HouseCall - A Virtual Celebration of Community Healthcare. Look for more information in the coming weeks. We hope to see you there - virtually of course! #HouseCallPOCO

November 26, 2020

Stevens Point Community Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving Morning

Thursday, November 26, 2020 in Pfiffner Park in Stevens Point

This community walk/run is a non-competitive 5k

The event is free-- we ask that you bring a nonperishable food item in lieu of a registration fee

All donations will go to local food pantries.

March 06, 2021

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 years run.
Age Group Winners - All age group winners are guaranteed entry into the subsequent years run.
Post-race party - Located in the large heated tent immediately adjacent to the finish line.

August 14, 2021

PaddleQuest

Paddlequest 2021 will return on the second weekend of August, hope to see you then! -Cap'n Matt

PaddleQuest is a unique competition set in a world of fantasy held since 2002 in Stevens Point, WI. Paddle from place-to-place meeting characters, solving puzzles and completing challenges. Learn more about this unique outdoor event here.

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