NORWAY – Passport to Fitness, Western Maine Health’s annual walking program, held its kickoff July 31 in the parking lot of the Ripley Medical Building, with nearly 100 participants.

Sponsored by Healthy Oxford Hills, the program had more than 300 registrants during the first week, surpassing the numbers in previous years. This year the program included promotional items such as passport logbooks and visors, as well as pedometers, which were made available with the support of Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Walkers who attended the kick-off were treated to plenty of refreshments as well as a stretching session led by a member of the Stephens Memorial Hospital physical therapy staff.

“This year we scheduled the start for mid-summer with the hope of attracting folks who were on vacation and ready to get into the healthy swing of walking,” said Tracey Geary, director of development at Stephens Community Healthcare Foundation. People are encouraged to sign up anytime during the eight-week program, which runs through Sept. 24, and to submit their “mileage reports” every two weeks.

For more information about the Passport to Fitness program or to register, visit or call the Western Maine Health Administration Office at 743-1562 extension 332. Stephens Memorial Hospital is part of Western Maine Health, a member of the MaineHealth family. Visit the Web site at www.wmhcc.org.