Talbot Thrive Running & Walking Club

Talbot Thrive is excited to partner with the Town of Easton Parks and Recreation Department and the YMCA of the Chesapeake to launch a new Running and Walking Club – a community-driven initiative designed to bring people together in a fun and supportive environment to improve their physical and mental health!

We’ll meet every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Idlewild Park in Easton and walk or run the trail for about an hour to accommodate all fitness levels. Whether you’re looking to start your fitness journey, improve your endurance, or connect with like-minded individuals, this meetup will provide an inclusive space where everyone can THRIVE at their own pace.

Regular participation in walking or running has been shown to boost both physical and mental well-being. Walking improves cardiovascular health, increases mobility, and is a great way to relieve stress, while running enhances endurance, strengthens muscles, and elevates mood through the release of endorphins. By offering multiple levels, we ensure that anyone—whether they’re taking their first steps towards a healthier lifestyle or training for their next race—can find the right fit and stay motivated.

This initiative aligns perfectly with Talbot Thrive’s mission of fostering community well-being through active living. By creating a welcoming space where people of all ages and abilities can move together, we’re not just promoting fitness—we’re building connections, encouraging personal growth, and making healthy living accessible for all. We invite everyone to join us on this journey, set personal goals, and thrive together, one step at a time!

Interested in joining us or finding out more? Complete the form below or email heather@talbotthrive.org. We strongly advise you to sign the waiver below to participate but at this time it is not a requirement. All walkers and runners participate at their own risk.

Brain and Body Health

Each week, the YMCA’s Wendy Palmer will offer Brain Health Exercises that we can add to our walks and runs! Exercise is neuroprotective, what’s that you ask? Exercise is considered neuroprotective because it can promote the growth of new brain cells, enhance synaptic plasticity and increase neurotrophic factors like BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) which protect neuron, and improve blood flow to the brain, ultimately helping to maintain cognitive function and potentially prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Dementia, Alzheimers and Parkinson’s. So let’s get moving to move our bodies and protect our brains!

Meetup Plan

Gather at 6:00 p.m. with hope to start moving by 6:10 (6:15 latest)
Everybody walks one lap of the track. This keeps us all together for a warmup and allows for late arrivers to join.
After completing one lap, the walkers turn right on Idlewild, then left on Rails to Trails
Runners turn left at Idlewild and run the perimeter of the park to Dutchmans Lane. Runners turn left on Rails to Trails from Dutchmans
Everyone stays on Rail to Trails heading north. The turn around point is the bridge about 1/4 mile north of Goldsborough
Walkers return to park via Idlewild (about 2.5 miles including warmup lap)
Runners return to park via Dutchmans (about 3.6 miles including warmup lap)
Option for additional miles/cool down using the track

All should be back to the park by 7:15 p.m.

Details:

Wednesdays, beginning March 12
115 Idlewild Park, Easton, MD 21601 (by tennis courts)
Out and Back on N-S Rail Trail

Runners and walkers of all levels are encouraged to join us!

Club Interest & Waiver Form

Talbot Thrive Running & Walking Club
in partnership with the Town of Easton and the YMCA of the Chesapeake

RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMNITY AND PARENTAL CONSENT AGREEMENT (“AGREEMENT”)

In consideration of being permitted to participate in any way in the Running & Walking Club activities, I, for myself, my personal representatives, assigns, heirs, and next of kin:

ACKNOWLEDGE, agree, and represent that I understand the nature of running and walking activities and that I am qualified, in good health, and in proper physical condition to participate in such activities. I further acknowledge that these activities will be conducted over public roads, trails, and facilities open to the public during the event, where hazards of traveling are to be expected. I further agree and warrant that if, at any time, I believe conditions to be unsafe, I will immediately discontinue further participation in the activity.

FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT: (a) RUNNING AND WALKING ACTIVITIES INVOLVE RISKS AND DANGERS OF SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, INCLUDING PERMANENT DISABILITY, PARALYSIS, AND DEATH (“RISKS”); (b) These risks and dangers may be caused by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the activity, the conditions in which the activity takes place, or

THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE “RELEASEES” NAMED BELOW; (c) There may be OTHER RISKS AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LOSSES either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time, and I FULLY ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSSES, COSTS, AND DAMAGES I incur as a result of my participation or that of a minor in the activity.

HEREBY RELEASE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE Talbot Thrive, the Town of Easton, the YMCA of the Chesapeake, their administrators, members, volunteers, other participants, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the activity takes place FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, OR DAMAGES ON MY ACCOUNT.

I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND HAVE SIGNED IT FREELY AND WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT OR ASSURANCE OF ANY NATURE. I INTEND IT TO BE A COMPLETE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY TO THE GREATEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW AND AGREE THAT IF ANY PORTION OF THIS AGREEMENT IS HELD TO BE INVALID, THE BALANCE SHALL CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.