Local Walking Clubs invite everyone to ‘step into wellness’

By Editor | June 1, 2022 |

By Carmen Ensinger

While it is facilitated by the Greene County Health Department the area “Walking Clubs” that have popped up in Carrollton, White Hall, Roodhouse and Greenfield really has little to do with the Health Department and is rather a starting point for Roodhouse resident Beth Burrus, who retired recently from the healthcare field, to try to improve the health of the county’s residents.
“Having retired from the healthcare field as a pharmacist, I always wanted to do something to make the health of our county better,” Burrus said. “This walking club seems like a good place to start because it is something that everyone can do whether they are old or young.”
The walking groups last anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes, depending on how fast one walks, or how many miles they choose to walk. The route is typically a mile long and it is geared to allow anyone to participate.
In Roodhouse, Burrus meets her group at the stage on the Square on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at both 6 a.m. for the early risers and then again at 6 p.m. for those who prefer an afternoon stroll.
“In Roodhouse, the route is pretty simple,” Burrus said. “We go down Palm and come back up Franklin and it comes out to about a mile. There are side streets you can turn off on and make your way back along the way. We have had moms pushing babies in strollers; we have had people who walk fast and people who walk slow. It doesn’t matter – you do it at your own pace.”
In White Hall, Keppen Clanton leads her troop around the North Greene football field on a mile walk. They meet in the parking lot north of the high school on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 a.m.
In Carrollton, Traci Whitlock will lead walkers on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and Molly Peters will lead them on Thursday at 6 p.m. Walkers should meet at the High School All-Weather Track where they will walk around it on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Thursday’s 6 p.m. walks will take place at the same location.
In Greenfield, Jill Pembrook will take walkers on a beautiful early morning walk around Rives Lake at 6 a.m. on Wednesdays. Walkers will meet at the Rives Lake Sign on Rives Lake Drive. Nikki Ruyle will lead the group on Wednesday night at 6 p.m.
The benefits walking presents are so much more than just physical.
“I’m on the Mental Health Board and I think this is something that is very good to do for our own mental health,” Burrus said. “Not only is it exercise, but it is companionship – something that many people may lack.”
For some, it is a good way to make some new friends.
“I think everyone who has participated so far has really enjoyed it,” Burrus said. “I had a woman who is new to town say that she had been wanting to walk but didn’t know where to walk. She also said she wanted to make some new friends but didn’t know how to go about it. She killed two birds with one stone by joining our group.”
For those who like a challenge, there is a goal to work towards.
“We have a 50-mile challenge going on throughout the summer until Labor Day,” Burrus said. “For every 25-miles you complete, I think you get a little pin or something – I’m not sure about that.”