Walktober Returns to Arlington for City’s 150th Anniversary

Published on August 31, 2026

By Office of Communication

Arlington residents will have a new way to get moving, connect with neighbors and celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary this fall through the Arlington Parks, Recreation and Culture Department’s Walktober Challenge.

The two-month community walking challenge runs Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, 2026, encouraging participants to walk at least 40 days during the challenge. Residents can walk wherever they choose, including city trails, parks, recreation center tracks and neighborhood routes.

Registration is available at naturallyfun.org or at any City of Arlington recreation center. The cost is $5 for recreation center members and $10 for nonmembers.

Participants will track their progress using the Stridekick app, where they can manually enter steps or connect an existing fitness tracker. The Walktober Challenge will be available in the app when the challenge begins Oct. 1, and participants will receive a link to join.

Register for Walktober

Those who complete at least 40 days of walking will earn an official Walktober shirt. Additional prizes will be awarded to participants who log the greatest total distance.

The City Arlington Parks, Recreation and Culture Department also will host three community walks during the challenge, beginning with a kickoff event on Oct. 3 at Centennial Park featuring Mayor Jim Ross. Two additional walks are planned for October and November, giving participants opportunities to stay motivated and connect with fellow walkers. More details will be announced later.

Walktober is designed to encourage healthy habits, bring Arlington residents together and celebrate the community’s history as Arlington marks its 150th anniversary.