[ Home ] [ Today Show Interview ] [ 4900-Mile Walk ] [ Putting Their Feet Up ] [ Backpacking Light ] [ League of their Own ] [ Linked to History ] [ Mohr Walking Club ] [ Crossing the Country ] [ BackPacker ] [ Step by Step ] [ Trekking Thru Retirement ]

The schools staff, students and parents recently kicked off the eighth year of the 80-Mile Club, a walking club that encourages students to walk to and from school and in their spare time.

To help with this years kick-off, or step-off as the school referred to it, Pleasanton residents Ken and Marcia Powers were on hand to motivate the kids.

The two are both retired and have hiked more than 13,300 miles throughout the United States and parts of Europe. Spending more than five minutes with them can make someone want to do the same, as their enthusiasm is infectious.

Walking and hiking through the wilderness gives quite a different perspective than driving through it, they said.

I love the lifestyle, Marcia Powers said. You never know what you're going to see.

Encouraging kids to get out and walk is important to the couple, but its also just a lot of fun.

I just enjoy the kids, Marcia Powers said. I'm hoping that they will adopt a healthy lifestyle.

The kids at Mohr seemed to enjoy the pair just as much.

After the kick-off ceremony and before starting their four laps around the park behind the school, a number of students came up to the Powers and asked for autographs. Marcia Powers said she always signs her name, along with the phrase Gotta Walk.

While the heavy-duty hikers often help out to inspire the kids, physical education specialist Dan Maslana got the club started when he came to Mohr eight years ago.

He said he started the club for two reasons: to help kids get interested in fitness and to provide an activity they could do with each other and with their families.

Kids time is so structured now, Maslana said, as students came up to thank him for doing the club.

Other than walking to and from school, Maslana said he encourages families to take walks after dinner and on the weekends as a way to get exercise and spend time together doing something other than watching television.

Fourth-grader Brandon Plihal said he hopes to reach the 80-mile goal and possibly do more.

Its sort of refreshing, he said of getting out and walking.

Plihal, 9, said he enjoys walking with family and friends.

Fifth-grader Chris Roth has been doing the walking club for five years. He uses his walks to and from school each day as a way to keep up with his older brothers fitness level, he said.

Participating in the club is just a way to keep track of how far I've gone, Roth said.

The 10-year-old also uses a pedometer to track his steps -- 9,000 on kickoff day, and that was before walking home.

The Powers keep in touch with the school through their Web site and through e-mails when they're off on a lengthy hike, continuing to encourage students.

But whether they're on campus or out in the wilderness, their message is clear: Gotta Walk.

Lea Blevins covers education for the Herald. She can be reached at (925) 416-4819 or lblevins@ang-newspapers.com.