In an effort to keep the community active during a time when most recreation isn't yet permitted, Carstairs Recreation is getting residents to walk or run nearly halfway across Italy from Rome to Turin. 

Since physically going to Italy to literally walk the nearly 840-kilometer trek isn't feasible, the event is being hosted virtually with residents going at their own pace. Dagan Doraty, Recreational Program Facilitator for the Town of Carstairs, says it was an idea he came up with to replace many of the other events the town hosts that were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

"It's really the only program that we can do right now. I did some research and wanted something that was almost exactly 800 kilometers because that's achievable." 

The event is meant to be a collective team effort from anyone who participates. After signing up, you walk each day to/from wherever you want and then record those kilometers to send to the town. They will then post those kilometers online for everyone to see how close they are to completing the entire route. 

Carstairs Recreation has some suggestions for local areas to walk or run such as Tiny La Fleur Park and Memorial Park. Staying inside and using a treadmill also counts towards kilometers banked.  

Doraty says this virtual Italian journey was created for residents to have fun and simply get active but there is some incentive to participating that not only benefits the participants but also local businesses. Doraty says they'll be partnering with local business owners to get gift cards to hand out as prizes. 

Alongside being a free event, the virtual walk or run from Rome to Turin is open to all ages. Participants will be broken into two age groups; under 55 and over 55. The event goes over the span of 10 days beginning on March 1st and ending on March 10th. 

To register for this event, or any other events Carstairs Recreation puts on, you can CLICK HERE. 

Doraty says because of a software update, those who have already registered will have to re-register.