October was a wonderful opportunity to get outside, enjoy the changing seasons, and find fun ways to stay active. This year, BUSNA WALKTOBER brought our community together for a month of movement, exploration, and connection!
With more than 170 participants taking part across the globe, WALKTOBER showed us that staying active doesn’t have to mean following a strict routine or sticking to one particular activity. Whether participants walked, biked, swam, played golf, or found other ways to get moving, the goal was to make time for activity, enjoy the outdoors, and have fun along the way.
And what a variety of adventures our participants shared!
New this year: Teams built camaraderie and community!
For the first time, BUSNA WALKTOBER introduced teams to build camaraderie, encourage a little friendly competition, and strengthen our sense of community.
Whether teammates participated together or shared their adventures from different cities, states, and even countries, the teams gave everyone another reason to cheer one another on. From activity updates and scenic snapshots to wildlife encounters and travel discoveries, everyone had something to contribute.
The new team format added another dimension to the experience, reminding us that we could be part of something together even when we were miles apart. A little encouragement from a teammate can make it easier to get out the door, take that extra walk, head out on the bike, or make time for another favorite activity.
And, of course, there was plenty of team spirit along the way.
From secret paths to lakeside strolls
Some participants found a little peace and quiet close to home. One walker in Northern Virginia shared a sunrise stroll along what they called their “secret path,” heading out early to beat several days of temperatures in the 80s. With cooler fall weather returning, those early-morning outings were especially inviting.
Another participant enjoyed a weekend in Bayfield, a lovely town on Lake Huron, and summed up the season beautifully:
“Fall is my favourite time of the year.”
We couldn’t agree more!
WALKTOBER went international
Travel didn’t get in the way of staying active. Quite the opposite!
One participant enjoyed walks in Edinburgh while visiting relatives, followed by a quick trip to beautiful Geneva with their sister. Family time, new scenery, and plenty of steps made for a memorable combination.
Meanwhile, another traveler explored Amsterdam, taking in wooden shoes and cheese, stopping at one of the city’s oldest bars for a cheese toastie, and wandering down charming little side streets.
The step count? 10,057 and counting!
That’s a great way to explore a city—and a wonderful WALKTOBER contribution.
Sinatra, baseball, and a whole lot of steps
WALKTOBER also provided opportunities to explore local history. A participant in Hoboken, New Jersey, reported a gorgeous Day 3 in the city known as the birthplace of baseball and the hometown of Frank Sinatra.
The outing included a stop to tag home plate—each corner of the intersection has a base—followed by a stroll along the Hudson River waterfront and a hello to Sinatra’s statue in Sinatra Park, on Sinatra Drive.
As the familiar saying goes, “The city so nice they named it twice.”
That was an outing with a little history, a little music, and plenty of personality!
Rain, wildlife, and four-legged companions
Of course, not every WALKTOBER day came with perfect weather.
In Texas, after four days of much-needed rain, one participant was delighted to get back outside. Their deer friends were happy to see them, too!
Central Florida had been dealing with wet weather as well. One participant shared a glimpse of an outing around their home, where part of the front yard was slightly flooded. Even the cat decided to join in on the driveway. Apparently, WALKTOBER had some feline fitness support!
And in Chesapeake, Virginia, an outing around a defunct golf course offered a reminder of how much wildlife can be found close to home. The area was home to geese, ducks, raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, and even a bobcat spotted once. With possible housing development on the horizon, the participant reflected on how much they would miss the wildlife IF the landscape changed.
Sometimes an activity was about getting steps in. Sometimes it was about appreciating a place while it was still there. And sometimes, as our participants reminded us, the best part was simply being outdoors and noticing what was around us.
Every activity told a story
What made BUSNA WALKTOBER special wasn’t just the number of steps accumulated or the activities completed. It was the stories that came with them.
A sunrise on a familiar path. A weekend beside a Great Lake. A European side street. A waterfront stroll with a little Sinatra thrown in. A deer sighting after the rain. A cat who decided to tag along.
Our participants showed us that staying active doesn’t have to be complicated or competitive. It can be a chance to explore, reconnect with nature, spend time with family, discover something new, or simply take a break from the day.
And while everyone had different routines, activities, and reasons for taking part, we shared a common goal: making more room for activity, connection, and enjoyment in our everyday lives.
Until next year!
As BUSNA WALKTOBER wrapped up, we were left with more than activity totals. We had new memories, shared discoveries, team connections, and plenty of inspiration to keep moving long after October ended.
Thank you to everyone who participated, encouraged a teammate, shared a photo, or told us about an adventure. Every effort counted, and every story added something special to our BUSNA community. And thank you to our generous sponsors, ANI Pharmaceuticals and Genentech.
Here’s to more movement, more smiles, stronger connections, and another wonderful WALKTOBER next year!
