Participants in the 2021 “Get Your Tail On The Trail” have a new app for the St. Luke’s University Health Network and Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L) event.

The free community initiative encourages people of all ages and abilities to meet their personal fitness goals.

From May 1 to Nov. 8, the 165-Mile Challenge encourages participants to log 165 miles of exercise, such as walking, hiking, running, biking or paddling on the D& L trails or anywhere they choose.

“Our goal is straightforward: To get people outside and get them active,” said Kathy Ramson, St. Luke’s Network Director for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease.

“We want people to be physically active because it is one of the best ways to prevent chronic disease. There’s a good deal of data that show that if you exercise 150 minutes a week, you’re going to have better health outcomes overall,” Ramson said.

“If fitness is complicated, people won’t do it. We make it simple because we want to eliminate the barriers,” said Ramson.

One of the reasons St. Luke’s partnered with D&L is that exercising outdoors has proven to be healthier than exercising indoors, Ramson said: “Whether it’s the sunshine, fresh air or varied terrain, the benefits of outdoor exercise are supported by research.

“The D&L Trail is a fantastic resource, so our events and promotions also promote the trail.

“Even with COVID-19, hiking, walking, running and biking outside pose little or no risk, provided you aren’t exercising in large groups and are keeping your distance when passing people,” said Ramson.

With the new app, participants can:

• Get exclusive content about nutrition, events and upcoming challenges

• Earn badges for achievements based on activity log

• Stay engaged year-round in activities and challenges

• Keep informed about membership organizations

• Experience virtual tours of various parts of the trail

• Receive prizes

“Get Your Tail on the Trail” participants can register for free as an individual or as part of an organization and log the miles doing a continuous activity for 10 minutes or more.

While the program doesn’t require participants to exercise exclusively on the 165-mile D&L Trail, it is a great centerpiece resource. The trail stretches from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, Bucks County.

In addition to the 165-Mile Challenge, there are events throughout the year, including bike and hike outings, health fairs and history walks.

Since its launch in 2013, nearly 10,000 participants have logged more than 5 million miles. Those who complete the challenge have received t-shirts, hats, backpacks and rain ponchos.

Information: www.tailonthetrail.org; Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, 610-923-3548, ext. 221