Adult and children’s walk/run races to be followed by health and wellness fair with demonstrations, music, and more.

Now that winter is finally behind us, join Mayor Curtatone and Shape Up Somerville for the new, improved, and re-energized Mayor’s Wellness Challenge, kicking off on April 24, with a 5K race and walk, and children’s fun run beginning at 10:30 a.m (REGISTER HERE). Following the 5K, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a free Wellness Kickoff Fair will feature creative ways to improve health and well-being, fitness demonstrations and mini classes for all ages, music, Wellness “goodie bags,” and an opportunity to sign up for the six-week Challenge. Join as a team or sign up as an individual, and follow us throughout the Challenge for discounted health, fitness, and wellness activities and events to earn points for prizes. The Challenge is a great way to meet like-minded residents to build positive and healthy relationships. (You do NOT need to participate in the 5K to come to the Wellness Fair!)

About the Challenge

The annual Mayor’s Wellness Challenge is a citywide event from April 24 through June 5, inviting everyone in Somerville to challenge themselves and others to focus on healthy behaviors. Sign up as a team of five or go it alone in a friendly competition to keep up the daily healthy habits of 9-5-2-1-0(an average of 9 hours of sleep, 5 fruits and veggies, 2 hours or less of recreational screen time, 1 hour of physical activity, 0 sugary drinks and/or tobacco). Pick one each week and gain points for doing it daily! Winners will be announced at the Carnaval @ Somerstreets on June 5.

Wellness Kick-Off activities include but are not limited to:

• Shape Up Somerville and Somerville Recreation 5K road race and walk, and children’s fun run (register here:http://www.somervilleyouthrecf.org/registerRR.htm)
• Reebok’s BOKS Program
• Boston Kicker’s Soccer
• Zumba & Soba Yoga mini class
• Self-defense and boxing demonstrations
• Parkour
• Function Movement Screenings by The Training Room
• Reading with the Somerville Public Library
• Healthy snacks

Can’t come to the Kick-Off to register for the Challenge? Here are other ways you can sign up:

• Go tohttp://bit.ly/MWCsignup
• EmailSUS@somervillema.gov
• Call 617-625-6600 x4312 to give your name or team name
• Visit  the Council On Aging, 167 Holland St., on Wed., April 27, from 9:30  to 11:30 a.m., or City Hall Annex (50 Evergreen Ave.) in the Shape Up Somerville office on Thurs., April 28, between 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Participate in Community and Wellness Events

Springtime in Somerville means many existing opportunities to be active in the community. The Challenge highlights these events and adds in a few new activities. Moving more, interacting with your neighbors, volunteering – it’s these actions that contribute to our overall wellness. Plus, you earn points. Check the calendar on our website for these “community-sponsored” events.

Win Prizes!

Top scoring teams and individuals will be rewarded with cool prizes, to be announced later. You can earn points by attending eligible events and activities, by sharing your 9-5-2-1-0 goals and achievements, and more. Prizes will be awarded based on individual score, “most engaged,” and via raffles.

For more information, and to stay informed on events, activities, and opportunities to earn points, visitwww.facebook.com/MayorsWellnessChallenge, or www.somervillema.gov/wellnesschallenge.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Betsy Allen, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or BAllen@somervillema.gov.