Local Marigold Library System members in Okotoks and Strathmore are wanting residents to join them in talking the UWALK challenge.

UWALK was created in partnership with the University of Alberta and the province as a way to help get communities moving simply by walking and keeping track of their steps.

Jessie Bach, Marigold Library System consultant, says the UWALK challenge is a great way to be part of a big initiative.

"The Okotoks Library is one of our members, but we have 37 member libraries from Banff in the west all the way to Oyen in the east," she says. "They'll be part of something that's pretty big and we're working toward a goal for how many steps we can take and I think it can be a lot of fun for people to get involved, follow the progress, and do something cool with their library."

The goal is for communities to hit 7 million steps between Sept. 21 and Oct. 9.

Bach says while it may sound like a lot, it's doable.

"We worked with UWALK thinking about our overall population and how many people we hope will participate and then what would be an achievable goal for that amount so hopefully we make it."

To join the Marigold walking community and challenge visit uwalk.ca. Participants will also have the opportunity to win a new Fitbit personal monitor. Those who don't currently have a device that tracks their steps can borrow a pedometer from a local participating Marigold System library.

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