Walktober 2022

Join the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (HCLHIC) and local partners for a month of walk/move events called Walktober 2022, a celebration of our State’s official exercise and a call to action to promote walking for improved health for residents of all ages and abilities. Find more information about the HCLHIC here.

Please note that the HCLHIC will not be hosting these events, but is promoting partner walk/move events to the community. If you plan to host one or more virtual, in-person or hybrid events and would like us to add it to the Walktober Event page, please complete this form.

If you are interested in collaborating with the organizers of one or more of the events on HoCo’s Walktober page, please reach out to the organizers directly.

Upcoming Events

Week 1 (10/1-10/7)

Monday, October 3, 9:30am: (6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045) East Columbia 50+ Center Walk

Please join the Walktober movement along with our 50+ Centers as each hosts a Walktober event during the first week of October. Contact your 50+ Center for more details or visit the website at: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/aging-independence/howard-county-50-centers to access the 50+ Centers newsletters for more detailed information.

Tuesday, October 4, 10:30am: (9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City, MD 21042) Ellicott City 50+ Center Walk

Tuesday, October 4, 11:00am: (Blandair Regional Park Croquet Lawn) Encore Showcase

Presented by the Office on Aging & Independence and the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Encore Showcase will be held on Tuesday, October 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blandair Regional Park North, 5685 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia, 21045. Geared toward older adults, the showcase features a variety of free activities to keep your mind and body active, including mini fitness sessions, quick art projects, trivia and giveaways, plus bocce and croquet. Visit www.howardcountymd.gov/encoreshowcase for more information and pre-register at https://bit.ly/HoCoEncore. Rain date is October 6.

Wednesday, October 5, 9:00am: (9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel, MD 20723) North Laurel 50+ Center Walk

Thursday, October 6, 10:00am: (7570 Monarch Mills Building, Columbia, MD 21046) Monarch Mills Community Walk

Meet and Greet with your neighbors and friends at Monarch Mills Community Walk! Come celebrate with other residents of Monarch Mills for a one hour walk outside. Walk starts at 7570 Monarch Mills Building. Any questions contact Ursula Smith at phone number 410-381-0769 or email: MonarchMillsRSC@hrehllc.com. Registration: https://monarchmillscommunity.com/

Thursday, October 6, 10:00am: (2400 Route 97, Cooksville, MD 21723) Glenwood 50+ Center Walk

Friday, October 7, 9:00am: (6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge, MD 21075) Elkridge 50+ Center Walk

Friday, October 7, 12:00pm: (5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia, MD 21044) Bain 50+ Center Walk

Week 2 (10/8-10/14)

Sunday, October 9, 9:00am (Howard Community College): 5K Challenge Race

The Howard Community College 5K Challenge Race will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at 9 a.m., on the HCC campus. Registration is $300 for a community team of four participants. Corporate sponsorships start at $750. For more information or to register for the race visit http://www.howardcc.edu/hccchallenge, email foundation@howardcc.edu, or call 443-518-1970.

Friday, October 14, 10:00am (Bain 50+ Center): Zumba Party in Pink

Join the Bain Council in supporting a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness. The Council will match each $5 donation to support this important cause. Wear your pink and get your Zumba on! Call the center to register at 410-313-7213.

Week 3 (10/15-10/21)

Saturday, October 15, 9:00am (Lake Kittamaqundi): CA Walk with a Doc

Lace up those kicks! Columbia Association is proud to launch our first ever Walk with a Doc, Saturday, October 15 at Lake Kittamaqundi from 9 am to 10 am. Walk with a Doc is a chance for members of the community to walk and talk with a local physician and others in the walking group on Lake Kitt. The walk will start with a brief discussion on a current health topic, and then participants enjoy the walk and valuable conversation.

Saturday, October 15, 12:00pm-4:00pm (North Laurel Community Center): Fall Festival

Come out and enjoy an afternoon full of music, games, entertainment, food trucks and more. This outdoor family-friendly event has something for everyone. Pre-registration encouraged but not required; onsite registration available. For event updates and registration, click here to view the event flier. Info: Ovan Shortt, 410-313-1693 or oshortt@howardcountymd.gov. (4 years and older). Price TBD

Sunday, October 16, 1:00pm-5:00pm (Downtown Columbia): Downtown Columbia Culinary Walking Tour

Footsteps to food and fun in Downtown Columbia, Maryland. A perfect way to celebrate Walktober and find your next favorite eats. Join us for our 2nd Annual Culinary Walking Tour of Downtown Columbia. Participating restaurants include: Cured, Seasons 52, The Charmery, Maggiano's Little Italy, Chicken & Whiskey, Po Boy Jim’s, and The 3rd. Two ticket levels -- Nibbles (all ages), and Nibbles & Drink Pairings (21+). Participants receive a Walkabout Card that they take via one of two routes to the featured restaurants to receive their nibbles and drink specials.

This is a walking event. Get your steps in and get your snack on. Please be prepared to walk all around Downtown Columbia, from restaurant to restaurant. Depending on the route you take, the total distance covered will be 2.5-3.2 miles and could be an hour or more of time spent walking.

Registration/ Purchase Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-columbia-culinary-walking-tour-tickets-427932516677?aff=erelexpmlt

Week 4 (10/22-10/31)

Saturday, October 22, 10:00am (Symphony Woods Park): AFSP Howard County Out of the Darkness Walk

The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about. Register HERE.

Saturday, October 22, 10:00am-3:00pm (Gary J. Arthur Community Center): Truck or Treat

Get in gear for a “wheely fun” day to celebrate Fall and community! Come dressed in your favorite costume to trick-or-treat at all of the trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles and more, while meeting some of your hometown heroes. A limited number of presale tickets are available online at www.howardcountymd.gov/truckortreat. Info: 410-313-4840. Inclement weather status line: 410-313-4452 (ext. 1). Volunteer Opportunities: sberry@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-4624 or www.HoCoVolunteer.org. All ages $5, per child, under 1 year, free

Saturday, October 29, 9:00am (Centennial Lake): Walk with a Doc Howard County Chapter

Family event to promote health and movement in a fun way! This is a Free Event! Centennial Park Lake - Meet at the Boat Ramp. We will walk for about 30 minutes. In case of rain or bad weather, we will meet at Columbia Mall, 2nd floor outside the Lululemon store. Costumes encouraged but not required. Healthy but non-boring treats and environmentally conscious prizes to be given at the end of the walk. Before the walk, there will be a short health related trivia with prizes. Link to register: https://form.jotform.com/222774349366163

Saturday, October 29, 11:00am (Dancel Y): Happy Healthy Halloween

Get the whole family out to walk a short trail by the Y and earn a hot chocolate! This event is in accompaniment to our annual Happy Healthy Halloween. Costumes and walking shoes are encouraged but not required. The event is FREE and open to all. No registration. Call the center if you have any questions 410-465-4334. Website: https://ymaryland.org/locations/dancely.

Saturday, October 29, 3:00pm (Columbia SportsPark): CA Costume Crawl and Trunk or Treat

Join CA before our 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat at the Columbia SportsPark and show off those costumes. CA's health and wellness teams invite everyone to get moving. The Costume Crawl will take approximately 30 minutes (about 3/4 of a mile) along a safe route, ending at Trunk or Treat. Each participant will receive a small prize, and special super heroes, spookies and more will be in attendance to cheer you on! The Costume Crawl will be offered at two different start times (3pm and 3:30pm). Families should pre-register for their preferred start time using the following link: (eventbrite link to be added).

Sunday, October 30, 1:00pm (Lutheran Village at Miller's Grant): 2nd Annual Mission Miles Family Fun Walk

Lace up your sneakers and join us for our 2nd Annual Mission Miles Family Fun Walk fundraiser. It’s not just a walk – it’s a fun walk! There’ll be activities for the entire family – a pumpkin patch and lots of games. Enjoy the two-mile walking course with treats along the way. Hope to see you there! The event is FREE – registration is required. Sponsorships and donations benefit Miller’s Grant’s Ministry of Caring Endowment in support of resident benevolence. Registration: https://bit.ly/3xCRAFj

1-Mile Howard County Park Walking & Moving Maps

Cedar Lane-West
Centennial Park
High Ridge Park
Meadowbrook Park
North Laurel Park
Robinson Nature Center
Rockburn Branch Park
Schooley Mill Park
Warfield Pond Park
Western Regional Park
Wilde Lake Park

* Created by HCHD in collaboration with HC Dept. of Recreation and Parks in August 2021

Columbia Association Pathways

Take advantage of Columbia Association's pathways during the month of Walktober (October 2022): All month long, the community is encouraged to explore over 95 miles of pathways. You can access more than 170 tot lots, nearly 300 footbridges, three lakes and more. Whether you walk, bike, jog or roll, CA's pathways are open to everyone! So what are you waiting for? Walk. Breathe. Explore.