Nags Head, NC – September 8, 2026 – ThriveOBX, powered by Outer Banks Health and Dare County, is hosting a free, month-long walking challenge throughout October called Walktober.

Starting Oct. 1, Walktober invites all residents and visitors of Dare County, offering 22 separate teams for individuals to join. Dare County schools, towns, government and Outer Banks Health all have individual teams, along with teams for Outer Banks residents and visitors. Participation is voluntary and allows individuals to select one team to be part of for the entire competition. The Outer Banks Visitors team is open to anyone who does not live on the Outer Banks, and the Outer Banks Residents team is open to anyone who does live on the Outer Banks.

Participants must commit to one team throughout the month and may join whichever team best fits them. For example, an Outer Banks Health team member may join the Outer Banks Health team, and a friend or family member of an Outer Banks Health team member may also join the Outer Banks Health team or the Outer Banks Residents team. It’s up to the individual. The full list of teams is on www.ThriveOBX.com/Walktober.

Each week of Walktober will feature a spooky theme:

• Week one: Boo! Begin Your Journey — Kick off Walktober: set a goal and get moving!
• Week two: Witches, Bats & Black Cats — Find your walking coven: invite friends, family, coworkers or pets to join you.
• Week three: Haunted Hikes & Spooky Strolls — Explore new walking spots: fall decor, spooky sites, sunsets or nature sounds.
• Week four: Trick or Treat Your Feet — Celebrate your progress with a healthy, fun reward.

Oct. 31, the final day of Walktober, will feature its own theme for Halloween: The Halloween Haunt — Finish strong! Dress in costume, decorate your shoes and enjoy your final walks with your walking buddy.

Walktober will conclude with a celebratory gathering on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Dare County Parks & Recreation in Kill Devil Hills, to thank all participants, celebrate the friendly competitive spirit on the Outer Banks, and recognize the specific teams and individuals in each category: Most Consistent Walker; Best Walking Buddy; Best Walking Adventure; Best Walktober Photo; Most Improved; and ThriveOBX Walktober Champion. The celebratory event is open to the public and does not require registration; more event information will be released soon via ThriveOBX social media. Participants are encouraged to share pictures on social media and tag ThriveOBX for more visibility toward the competition.

To participate, individuals must download the free StepUp app on a mobile device, which connects to users’ fitness devices that track steps, then scan their team’s unique QR code to join. There, they can track each other’s progress and join a group chat if desired. The group chat will give participants the option to submit their email to receive information, such as details following the celebratory gathering, and join the ThriveOBX email list.

“ThriveOBX is about creating opportunities for people across our community to take simple, positive steps toward healthier lives—and Walktober is a fun way to put that mission into action,” said Sheila Davies, deputy county manager and director of public health for Dare County. “I’m excited to see our schools, towns, businesses, organizations, residents and visitors come together for a little friendly competition, and I can’t wait to see just how many steps we can collectively take across the Outer Banks this October. Every step counts, and together, they can add up to something pretty incredible.”

To learn more, view all teams, team QR codes and to sign up, visit www.ThriveOBX.com/Walktober.