What started as a challenge to encourage residents to get outside and be active turned into a demonstration of this year’s National Parks & Recreation Month theme, “The Power of Parks.”
Over the past 15 weeks, more than 150 participants took part in the 2026 Newcastle Parks & Recreation Director’s 100 Mile Challenge, combining to walk, run, and hike 20,587.4 miles.
To put that accomplishment into perspective, participants completed the equivalent of:
• More than 10,835 laps around the 1.9-mile walking trail at Veterans Park.
• More than 82% of the way around the Earth.
• Approximately 785 marathons.
• An average of 196 miles every day throughout the 105day challenge.
While the numbers are impressive, Newcastle Parks & Recreation Director Kyle Marks said the challenge has always been about much more than reaching a mileage goal.
“The Director’s 100 Mile Challenge isn’t really about 100 miles,” Marks said. “It’s about helping people build healthier habits, spend time with family, enjoy our parks and trails, and challenge themselves to become more active. Whether someone completed 100 miles or simply took that first walk around the park, every participant made our community stronger.”
Nine-three participants reached the 100-mile milestone during this year’s challenge, while dozens of others took their first steps toward a healthier lifestyle by participating and logging miles throughout the 15-week program.
“This year’s Parks & Recreation Month theme is ‘The Power of Parks,’ and I can’t think of a better example of that than this challenge,” Marks said. “Parks are more than playgrounds and green spaces. They’re places where healthier habits begin, friendships are formed, families spend time together, and communities grow stronger. Every mile logged during this challenge is proof of that.”
The Director’s 100 Mile Challenge was made possible through the support of local businesses that recognized participants as they reached milestone achievements throughout the challenge.
Milestone sponsors were:
• Snow Enterprises LLC – 100-Mile Finisher Sponsor
• OEC Fiber/Electric – 75Mile Milestone Sponsor
• Tinker Federal Credit Union – 50-Mile Milestone Sponsor
• B Strong Fitness – 25Mile Milestone Sponsor
2026 Director’s 100 Mile Challenge 100-Mile Finishers
Steve Severance, Adam Sochia, Dan McKemy, Jeremy Morris, Nick Redding, Josh Geerdes, Ivetta Severance, Julie Horn, Nicole Ernest, Ashley Maher, Robert Holman, Brian Moran, Lara Geerdes, Matt Srum, Emily Youngblood, Lori Cooper, Mitchell Turpin, Casey Kreger, Bryan Kitzrow, Todd Kelley, Emily McKemy, Hillary Cox, Brad Remy, Tammi Garrett, George Bowers, Nicole Mc-Cormick, Gina Keeling, Sarah Moran, Mandii Brower, Stephanie Bell, Kerri Laffoon, Karissa Minson, Cadence Howard, Aaron Anderson, Bart Keeling, Bridget Watkins, Stephanie Madden, Lacy Frazier, Lyndsay Ellis, Jennifer Smith, Bethany Coppinger, Nicklas Wolfgram, Tara Stine, Sue Bowers, Mike Crowley, Clint Morgan, Jordyn Jones, Zachary Barnes, Lorenzo Galvez, Connor Franklin, Kara Marks, Joseph Dodson, Alicia Anthony, Kaylee Kidd, Patrice Wesnidge, Abbi Fuller, Roxanne Pico-Lenz, Dawson Fuller, Alicia Stromberg, Patrick Steelman, Shae Williams, Melissa Crain, Byron Shoumaker, Jerald Lewis, Kyle Marks, Cathey Naico, Shanda Manuel, Lauren Kelley, Landon Davis, Laura Davis, Thomas Denton, Randi Perkes, Karen Petrie, Karla Nickels, Dusti Puckett, Isabel Walls, Shelby Taylor (Newcastle), Jake Blalock, Connie Hargues, Kendell Ireland, Shelby Taylor (Moore), Chelsie Foster, Mandi Rhodes, Leslie St Clair, Dottie Ellis, Rebecca Bates, Angela Buie, Jacob Spady, Trista Turney, Jaime Whitmore, Patricia De-
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