By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

An eight-week walking challenge promoted by K-State Extension Service will begin March 27 and end May 21.

Participants can join as individuals or as a team of at least four members. Team captains are being asked to contact the local extension office to register their teams.

Registration is open until March 27 at Chisholm Trail extension office, 1116 E. Main St. in Marion, or at walkkansasonline.org. Registration costs $10.

The fee will be waived for state, county, or local government employees who have State of Kansas insurance and participate in Healthquest. They will be asked to call for a code.

Participants are encouraged to log information online. A manual log also is available. Each walker will keep a log of minutes walked and strengthening exercises done each day. Walkers also will have the option of logging their consumption of fruits, vegetables, and water.

Participants will be encouraged to walk at least 150 minutes per week or at least 5 to 10 minutes a day. They can choose to enroll in one of three challenges: Discover the Eight Wonders of Kansas ( 2½ hours of activity per week), Go Cross Country from northeast Kansas to southeast Kansas (4 hours per week), or Little Balkans to Nicodemus (6 hours per week).

The routes will be mapped online. Participants will follow the trail and learn facts about spots along the way.

Participants will receive a weekly newsletter and be eligible for prizes.

Extension agent Mirna Bonilla will present a lunch and learn event April 13 and 27 in Marion. She will provide information on chronic illness management and review newsletter information and recipes.

More information can be obtained by calling Bonilla at (785) 263-2001.