Cross the state, no car required

Need inspiration to get moving in the new year?  The Newport Recreation Center has just the thing to jump-start your engine with “Newport to Nyssa,” a virtual mileage challenge inspired by Highway 20.

Participants are challenged to swim, bike, run or walk a distance equal to the highway’s route through Oregon, starting in Newport at the intersection of Highway 101 to the border crossing at Nyssa. 

“We wanted to do something that was flexible enough that anyone could do it,” said Jenni Remillard, recreation program specialist. “That’s why there’s no time limit, and you can use any activity you wish to log miles.”

If 450 miles is too daunting to do alone, you can combine miles with others, but each person who wants a medal must register individually. There is also a mileage tracker and participants will get access to a map of the route so they can zoom in and check out the landscape of the route, which includes mountains, valleys and high desert. The Recreation Center will also be sharing fun facts about geology and the communities along the route on their Facebook page. 

“Virtual challenges can be really fun because you are ‘going’ somewhere,” Remillard said.  “I started this challenge on my own a couple years ago and just kept going once I finished Oregon. So far I’ve made it to Ohio and plan to go all the way to Boston.” 

Since this event is virtual, anyone can sign up and if you’re unable to pick up your medal at the Newport Recreation Center, they will mail it to you. The registration fee is $15. For more information or to register go to newportoregon.gov, the Newport Recreation Department page on Facebook, or call 541-265-7783.