Second Pokémon GO Walk Set for Sept. 13

Pokémon trainers are once again invited to join LIVE FOR LIFE staff on Sept. 13 for a Pokémon GO exercise event at Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and participants will split into groups to be led by staff from LIVE FOR LIFE. Duke’s employee wellness program. Last month, faculty, staff and their friends and family walked the trails at Duke Gardens where they caught dozens of Pokémon, including Pikachus, Toros and plenty of Pidgeys.

Taylor Leach, a fitness specialist with LIVE FOR LIFE, said reaction was so strong a return trip was organized.

“Movement is such an important part of playing the game and Duke Gardens is a perfect spot to raise your daily step count and catch some Pokémon,” Leach said. “It’s an easy way to work toward daily exercise goals, whether that’s 30 minutes of walking or trying to reach 10,000 steps.”

The event is free and meant for Duke employees and their guests. Walkers will meet outside the Doris Duke Center, where they’ll be asked to sign in using their DukeCard ID.

This time around, LIVE FOR LIFE will offer two paths for walkers to take:

• Route 1 will wind along the outside walking paths at Duke Gardens only.
• Route 2 will take a brief detour with walkers by Flowers Drive to head to Duke Chapel and back to the Duke Gardens paths.

All participants should wear comfortable clothing and shoes for walking. Parking in the Duke Gardens Lot is free after 5 p.m. LIVE FOR LIFE asks that employees RSVP using this form and participants can sign up and share news of the event via the walk’s Facebook event page.

To aid in catching Pokémon, “lures,” which attract the animals, will be setup at PokéStops at Duke Gardens only. As walkers stop to catch a Weedle or other Pokémon, they can also participate in a brief exercise activity led by LIVE FOR LIFE staff.

In case of inclement weather, follow the event’s Facebook page for updates.