The Most Successful Government Employee Walking Challenge of All Time
For more than 2 decades local, county, state, and federal employees throughout the US have walked their way to better health every autumn in Walktober.
Government Entities Group Demo


Rachel LaBerge
Walktober Program Director

Emily Doyle
Account Manager
Walktober 2025
30-Minute Group Demo
Wednesday, February 12 at 2 PM ET
(session will be recorded)
Why Walktober Works for Government Employees
Fall is a great time to step out and step up to better health. Summer’s heat has given way to brisk fall air, vacations are over, employees have settled into a routine, and everyone is ready to rally around a fun physical activity challenge.
“ Walktober was a game-changer for me! It motivated me to turn my kid’s practices into my own personal walking time, and I felt amazing for it. Earning those daily leaves and reaching new levels became addictive, and it really boosted my confidence. The whole experience opened my eyes to how much I’m capable of, no matter my past habits. Plus, being part of a team kept me going and made me accountable.”
Angelica T.
County of Orange
“I’m new with this department. I got to know my co-workers better. Loved sharing the recipes. I had not worked out in over a year. This pushed me to start and we are going to continue walking for lunch and working out!!”
Y’vonne O.
State of New Mexico
“ Walktober 2024 has been an exciting step challenge! This is my second year administering the challenge for our employees, and I’ve also been hitting my personal step goals nearly every day this month (28 out of 31 days). I’m motivated to keep going and aim to meet my goal every single day!”
Nichelle B.
City of East Point
New for 2025!
Check out the new Walktober, designed to create connection, drive engagement, and build camaraderie.
Features include:
Interactive logging
Device tracking
Worldwide fall attractions

Individual and team
participation
Organization-wide goal setting
Badges for hitting milestones
Daily tips, healthy recipes, community message board

Mobile as well as desktop applications
See why hundreds of city/county/state agencies, school systems, colleges/universities, Fortune 500 companies, health systems, and nonprofit groups participate in Walktober every fall.
A Wellness Challenge That Builds Community Year After Year
Friendship and connection, fostered through Walktober’s social tools, drive record participation and industry-leading achievement rates.
Participants on a team had a 13% higher achievement rate than those not on a team, while those with 1 or more friends had a 21% higher achievement rate.
Having active friends and exercising with them is associated with increased leisure-time physical activity; males report 2 times more activity, women report 2 1/2 times.1
Exercise with a friend is the best predictor of exercise satisfaction, suggesting that friendships and social contact may motivate exercise behavior.2

1Firestone, M., Yi, S., Bartley, K., & Eisenhower, D. (2015). Perceptions and the role of group exercise among New York City adults, 2010-2011: an examination of interpersonal factors and leisure-time physical activity. Preventive Medicine, 72, 50-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.01.001.
2Unger, J., & Johnson, C. (1995). Social Relationships and Physical Activity in Health Club Members. American Journal of Health Promotion, 9, 340-343. https://doi.org/10.4278/0890-1171-9.5.340.
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“During the contest I walked a total of 310,160 steps which was truly remarkable considering that before this challenge I could easily go 2 weeks without any exercise at all. Now, I feel like I can’t afford to miss a day of at least 30 minutes of exercise even if it’s a brief walk! Everywhere I go and I see stairs, I opt to take the stairs instead of the elevator. My blood pressure has decreased, and I can see some physical changes in my body that I didn’t expect to see in such a short period of time. I have committed to walking in a 5K every other month as a result of this experience.”
Sheila L.
County of Sacramento
“During the month, I paired this exercise with a moderate diet program. I lost 6 lbs in a slow, sustainable way. I do feel healthier, plus I met more of my neighbors while walking.”
Ken D.
City of Naperville
“This is the first time that I have done this challenge. I found it fun and challenging and it helped me to stay motivated all 31 days of the month. I even lost 2 lbs because I challenge myself to exceed my own daily goals! I enjoyed seeing all the names of the different teams and everybody’s numbers and rankings. This assisted me in doing my best. Thank you all for participating in that!”
Rose G.
State of New Mexico