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The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, near Akron, will be a likely destination for those participating in the city's 100 million steps challenge.

(Tim Warsinskey, The Plain Dealer)

AKRON, Ohio - The city of Akron is challenging community members to collectively walk 100 million steps before the end of June.

Mayor Dan Horrigan and Summit County Executive Russ Pry, along with officials from the county health department and the Akron Marathon will kick off "100 Million Steps Akron" on Wednesday.

The project is aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and stimulating civic engagement by uniting the Akron community around a single goal, the city said. The 10 week challenge will encourage individuals, families, community organizations and local businesses to get out and get active.

The average person with a stride length of 2.25 feet would take about 2,000 steps to walk a mile. A million steps would be about 500 miles.

A total of 100 million steps would cover 50,000 miles. That is about the distance to navigate twice around Earth. (The planet has a circumference of about 24,900 miles).

Participants can register as individuals, on a team or form teams at Akron.walkertracker.com. About two dozen teams have already registered.

Once registered, participants can set daily goals and track their steps by logging activities on the website or smartphone app or by syncing an approved fitness device or pedometer.

People can share their progress and photos on social media using #AkronSteps100.

The challenge officially begins on Monday, April 18, and the final step count will take place at the Akron Children's Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series 8k & 1 Mile presented on June 25.

Teams and individuals who log the most steps will be announced at a July Akron RubberDucks game.