RUMFORD — River Valley Healthy Communities (RVHCC) will begin the Winter into Spring Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days program in January. The program is aimed at motivating people to become and stay active, as well as promoting physical and mental health through walking. The self-paced program will run Sunday, Jan. 10 through Monday, April 19.

Participants need to keep track of the days and number of miles walked. The goal is to have all walks during the 100-day period add up to at least 100 miles. Participants will receive a sheet to record their mileage in order to keep track of their own progress. At the end of the 100 days, participants will then report back to pass in their record sheets.

Incentive prizes will be distributed to all who reach the goal with each walker also being entered into a drawing for a certificate for a new pair of walking shoes.

RVHCC is a community-based health promotion coalition funded by tobacco settlement dollars as well as other state and local grants, to promote tobacco and substance abuse prevention, healthy nutrition and physical activity in the communities, schools and work sites of Albany Township, Andover, Bethel, Byron, Canton, Dixfield, Fryeburg Gilead, Greenwood/Milton Plantation, Hanover, Lovell, Mexico, Newry, Peru, Roxbury, Rumford, Stoneham, Stowe, Sweden, Upton and Woodstock/Bryant Pond. Anyone living or working in these communities is invited to participate in the walking program.

Contact Carol Emery at 364-7408 or e-mail [email protected] for registration materials and more details.