Our Opinion: A challenge to get active, enjoy Missouri

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has been known to credit the first lady, in some endeavors, as his better half.

Among those activities is the namesake Governor's 100 Missouri Miles Challenge. As of Friday, Georganne had logged more miles, 216, than the governor's 197.

The challenge, however, is not designed as a competition.

The primary intent is to encourage people to get active and to enjoy the state's hiking, biking and riding trails, as well as paddling on the state's waterways.

"We launched the 100 Missouri Miles Challenge two years ago to encourage more Missourians to enjoy our nationally recognized trails and natural resources, while improving their health," Gov. Nixon said. "Since that time, thousands of Missourians have joined the challenge - walking, running, riding and paddling over three million miles on Missouri trails."

More precisely, 24,134 Missourians have logged nearly 3.5 million miles, according to the governor's website.

The challenge also is earning national recognition. Earlier this month at the International Trail Symposium in Oregon, the challenge received the Outstanding Media Award from American Trails, a national, nonprofit organization.

The latest award follows last year's recognition of Missouri as one of only three states in the nation to receive an "A" grade from the Center for Digital Government in its annual Digital State Survey. The challenge and the state were honored for achieving a "successful marriage of civic engagement, data, and modern technologies."

In accepting the award Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director, said the challenge "takes an often solitary activity, spending time in nature on a trail, and makes it a social activity to share with friends."

The challenge is a combined effort of the governor's office, Missouri State Parks and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The Governor's 100 mile Challenge was designed for Missourians to become active and to interact with Missouri's abundant natural resources. Its success is measured in participation, and - like any worthwhile activity - it begins with a single step.