Wrangell competes for mileage against Petersburg and Juneau

Wrangell, Petersburg and Juneau residents are competing to see who can walk, hike or run the farthest - without ever leaving town.

"Bragging rights will go to the community that walks/hikes/runs the most miles (average miles per person)," the Wrangell Parks and Recreation website says.

Juneau Parks and Recreation, which started Walk Southeast last year to keep people active during the pandemic, invited Wrangell and Petersburg to join up this year, giving the event a friendly competitive alure and to get more people moving during the summer.

The program is simple: Register online, track the miles, and the more miles a participant logs in, the more chances they have to win prizes, including 25,000 Alaska Airlines miles.

Wrangell businesses also are donating prizes, said Lucy Robinson, the borough's parks and recreation coordinator.

Registration is now open and is free; the miles count starting May 1; and counting stops Sept. 1, Robinson said.

"Which community can you walk, hike or run to by Sept. 1, without even leaving Wrangell? You could try for Haines, at 275 miles, or perhaps Port Protection at 57 miles," the department website says.

"Your mileage tracker will provide distances for all the communities/locations. You'll also be able to earn extra 'tickets' by reaching specific communities," with the tickets good for Wrangell prize drawings, the website explains.

Registration will close May 14, Robinson said. Everyone who signs up will receive a mileage tracker they can download or print out to keep track of their distances.

To register or for more information, go to the Parks and Recreation website at http://www.wrangellrec.com, or call Robinson at 874-2444.