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Get Moving with Duke’s Run/Walk Club Aug. 17

Social exercise group returns to University and Health System locations

Faculty and staff can join Duke's free Run/Walk Club, a social exercise group that begins its seasonal meetings on Aug. 17. Photo by Duke Photography.
Faculty and staff can join Duke's free Run/Walk Club, a social exercise group that begins its seasonal meetings on Aug. 17. Photo by Duke Photography.
By Bryan Roth

Lace up your sneakers, grab a water bottle and join other Duke employees during this fall’s Run/Walk Club.

The free club, which is organized by LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program, runs Aug. 17 through Nov. 4. All fitness levels, from beginner walkers to employees training for a 5K, are invited to participate. 

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Duke employees can now register and participate in the Run/Walk Club, which meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at these locations:

  • East Campus wall on Broad Street (walkers and beginning runners)
  • West Campus by Al Buehler Trail (advanced runners and walkers)
  • Duke Regional Hospital employee entrance at 5 p.m. (all walkers and runners)
  • Duke Raleigh Hospital Wellness Center entrance at 5:30 p.m. (all walkers and runners) 

Linda Walker, a senior lab research analyst at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, joined Run/Walk for the first time in the spring. She joined the West Campus group at the prodding of husband and fellow Duke employee and Run/Walk participant, David Walker. 

“I was intimidated at first because I hadn’t run before, really, but I was made to feel so welcome,” she said. “It’s exciting to me that I can do something I thought I couldn’t and prove myself wrong.”

She built up her stamina to the point where she’ll run her first races this fall. She hopes to culminate her efforts by running the Bull City Race Fest five-mile course with her husband in October.

“I feel great, I’ve lost some weight, I feel better about myself and my stamina is better,” she said.

In addition to meetings on Mondays and Wednesdays, Run/Walk members will also have access to weekly exercise sessions that focus on yoga or circuit training. Katie MacEachern, a LIVE FOR LIFE fitness program manager, said the variety of extras complement running and walking to build flexibility and strength while also supporting a stronger, more supportive group dynamic. 

“It’s so much more motivating to exercise with a group,” MacEachern said. “Employees can get together with their coworkers and their Duke neighbors.”

Participation also includes weekly emails with tips, motivation and discounts to local stores and the ability to track progress online. For more information about the Run/Club and to register, visit the program’s website.