Automattic’s Worldwide WP 5k
As Scott mentioned in his How is WordPress.com Made? post, at Automattic we work from all over the world, and we use internal blogs for socializing and exchanging non-work ideas in addition to making WordPress.com and our other products more awesome. One of the things we’re really concerned about is staying healthy – we even have an entire blog dedicated to fitness.
We had a great idea: Get all 80 Automatticians from 62 cities to run/walk a 5k on the same day! This way we can get some exercise together as a company even though we’re apart (though we won’t rule out a softball or Texas scramble at our next meetup).
We want to invite you to join us, WordPress.com users (and self-hosted WP users, too!), in the Worldwide WP 5k – the 5k blogged around the world! The date is approaching, so read on to find out how to participate.
WHAT IT IS: A 5k run/walk (approximately 3.1 miles). You can run, walk, or skip. It’s up to you. There’s no time limit and there’s just one requirement: that you participate! [Updated: You can do it inside or outside, on a treadmill or on a track, or even do a swim or a bike ride instead of running/walking - just get moving!]
It’s roughly equal to:
- 3.1 miles
- 12 laps around a track
- approximately 6000-7500 steps
- approximately 50-60 minutes of brisk walking
WHEN: We’re all busy, but we want you to participate, so we’re giving you some flexibility, too. The WWWP5k is set for Sunday, April 10th, but you can do your walk anytime from April 4th -10th (you’ve got a week to fit it in). Just post about it and use the tag “wwwp5k” so we can find you (and for a chance to be Freshly Pressed). 
WHO: Anyone who’s ever used or loved WordPress (and your families and friends, too).
HOW: You’re welcome to blog your entire route and your preparation (videoblog, perhaps?) but above all we’d love to see where you are and how you’re completing your 5k. Give us a picture of you and what you see when you cross the finish line and tell us your location as you complete your 5k with the rest of the world.
Some tools & suggestions:
- Get a pedometer
- Use http://www.mapmywalk.com/ to chart your course
- Set your car’s odometer to 0, leave your house and drive along a safe course with sidewalks for walking/running, until you reach 1.55 miles (you can loop back the same way), or chart out a 3.1 mile course
If you’re not up to running this year, never fear, you can get started with the Couch to 5k method which several Automatticians like – 9 weeks from couch potato to running a 5k, and be ready to run for next year. But make sure to walk this year – no excuses!
Will you be joining us for the Automattic Worldwide WP 5k?
March 29th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
I and many others can’t walk that far, but we do other things like roll, swim, or peddle. I swim. I will swim at least 5 miles by April 10th.
March 29th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
That’s awesome! That will be a great 5k and a great finish line picture, too!
March 29th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Count me in with a view of a leafier part of Cardiff, Wales on it’s way! Keep up the great work. SD
PS… Surely we need to be clocking our times how about Northern v Southern Hemisheres?
March 29th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
This is great!!!! I need to get out and stretch my legs. I will participate with you on the 10th of April.
March 29th, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Absolutely! And since it’s getting (or trying to) warm here in the NE, it’ll be a great way to get out, smell the coming spring air. I’m in.
Thanks for doing this and for the links.
March 29th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Nice idea.
Atm I’m running only 1 km after my exercises, but it will be interesting to get myself fit up to a 5 km in a week.
March 29th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Feel free to walk 4 km and run 1 – no pressure here
March 29th, 2011 at 6:32 pm
Going to try and do something here in Augusta, GA for this. Great idea!
March 29th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
I am already signed up to run a 5k on 4/9, so count me in!
March 29th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
I think this is a wonderful idea as well and will be joining with gusto!
March 29th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
What a great idea…especially as the weather its starting to get nice (in the UK at least)…perhaps out a good way to meet up with fellow wordpressers and chatt about blogging?
If any ones interested in doing this round Birmingham, England let me know.
March 29th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
I have been doing at least 9 miles of walking a day, so this would be no problem except for the fact that I am having hip replacement surgery on the 1st. I really wish I could participate but it just won’t work, will be on a cane for at least a week or 2.
March 29th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
I’m in, and so is my puppy by association.
March 29th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
I’m already registered for my first 5K on April 9th. Perfect timing!!
March 29th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Not running that much I may try to do 4 BBQs till then
March 29th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
I am in!!! I am training for the New York Marathon in November, a couple of triathlons in the summer – so this should be a good training run!! Love to have company from the word press community!! (btw…I run slow…but am just happy to finish!!)
March 29th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Can’t wait to participate in this! I’m usually an avid runner, but I’ll be walking this one due to healing knee injuries.
March 29th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
Very cool, like a global flashmob
March 29th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
I’m running the Boston Marathon on April 18th, so I’m sure I will be able to fit in one or more 5K runs before then! Thanks. Great idea!
March 29th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
I just might attempt that. Since I just started up playing softball an hitting the gym again.
That or a really long bike ride.
March 29th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
I will commit. I will do the walk, it’s nice to be me again. Blowing the dust off my motivation, drive and social connections. I think this is wonderful idea. Count me in.
March 29th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
I will do it in Hannover, Germany.
March 29th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
I think this is exactly once around Green Lake in Seattle. Perfect!
March 29th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Ok well maybe I can do this. It would be one more excuse to buy a video camera . I could walk 3.2 miles from Edworthy park to crowchild trail along the bike path aside the elbow river . Is there something we should be thinking about when we do this ? You know something to record . I am new to it all and I just want to make sure I understand it correctly .
March 29th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
@Jackie – nothing to do but exercise – feel free to share as much or as little as you like – it’s up to you.
March 29th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Great idea – anything that gets people moving is good for me!
March 29th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Great idea. I twisted my ankle while walking on the weekend but by April 10 I should be right to go. I’ll do it!!!
March 29th, 2011 at 7:45 pm
Awesome idea…. How about posting other data too….average heart rate, pace, elevation change ? Need a form
March 29th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
@Ken – feel free to share more data if you like. We want to make it easy so people focus on the exericise first, then the blog post
March 29th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
I’m on crutches for the foreseeable future so I’m volunteering my husband’s
jogging jegs in my place, as he’s building up his running efforts.
I haven’t told him yet, but he’ll be running in The Hague, The Netherlands ,
probably on his favourite route though the dunes with you on Sunday 10th April.
(he’s really keen to run at the moment, so he won’t take much convincing LOL)
March 29th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Yeah, what a fun idea. I’ll be joining and running this 5k in Sardegna. omgosh…what a super fun idea. I can’t wait to hear about everyone’s day. WordPress you’re so much fun.
March 29th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
That sounds amazing! I’ve been eating too many cakes, to boot.
Count me in…Diga(Mama) running away from home in Sevilla, España.
March 29th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
this is a win win win win win idea! Can’t wait to participate with my 16 year old son (hear the wails of protest?)
Laurie at FoundSpace Design, and Fold in the Ordinary
March 29th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
I like this idea very much. Too bad that I am under stress by now and have no time to reach a target like that. Although…
Do you accept riding a bike?
Then I could handle it, maybe
March 29th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
@Charlousie, we will take riding a bike, too – what’s important is the exercise!
March 29th, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Being in the fitness industry, I guess it’s time to “put up”. Muskoka, Ontario, Canada is on board. Anyone up for a hike in Algonquin Park? I just hope the snow has melted enough… and the bears are still asleep.
This is such a great idea!
March 29th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
I want to do this, but I want to run with a buddy. Is there a list that states where people are located? Las Vegas, Nv, anyone?
March 29th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
My blog is about my journey to fitness and better health. I’ll be doing a 5 k during that time. Great idea!
March 29th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Absolutely! I think it’s a great idea!
Good luck to everyone from Sweden!
March 29th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
What about running 5k in the fitness Center that week does it count?
I hope the weather would be great in Denmark, it rains all the year long
March 29th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
It definitely counts – you don’t have to be outside!
March 29th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
I so much want to join from Islamabad
March 29th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Attending the Blue Point Cask Ale Festival the day before, but I think we can recover by then!
March 29th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
What a neat idea!
March 29th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Absolutely in! I’ll plan my loop around the gorgeous waterfront in Portland.
Love a reason for people to join together and get outside!
March 29th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
I can’t run due to a bum knee, but I will walk it along the beach and marshes here in Tybee Island, GA. Fingers crossed for good weather!
March 29th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Oh no! i am an (injured) regular runner, only one week to recover. I wiil give it a go from Norfolk UK
March 29th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Right on! This will make this weekend’s jog a special one. What a great way to get people outside and to connect on something fun!
March 29th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Great idea…love love love it. I hope everyone will see the importance of staying healthy. Running can do wonders!
March 29th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
I’m in…I love to run! I think I might make it a 5K trail run.
March 29th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
I’ll try to participate. Although I have no idea how to measure the 5k since I don’t have any devices.
March 29th, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Looking forward to it. Anything that gets people excited about exercise is a win!
March 29th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
I can’t make it but what a Uber Empowering idea – sounds like a great event!
March 29th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
I’m in! Sounds like fun. I’ll do a run/walk on the Sunshine Coast, Australia
March 29th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
I want to do this! What a great way for us all to be together that day. Pencil me in for the Bay of Banderas, on the west coast of Mexico.
Kathleen
March 29th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
Awesome! I’m in! (Although in fairness I’m already running 5K every other day here in Keene, New Hampshire… but I’ll aim to make sure I line up one of those runs to be on Sunday)
Love the idea!
March 29th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
absolutely!
March 29th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Sounds like a great idea!
March 29th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
If you’bre got an iPhone or android smartphone, download Runkeeper. It’s free and gives you full (GPS based) details of your run.
March 29th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
I’m in! There’s a great 3.1 mile (5k) path around Green Lake in Seattle. I’ll walk/jog it with my dog!
March 29th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
IN
March 29th, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Sounds like fun! I will walk the 5K in Temecula CA on the 10th! If there are any other WordPress fans in Temecula, let me know and join me!
March 29th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Love this idea! My family and I will walk at least once–and probably bike and even ski/board a 5k or more too during the week! What a great prompt for ways to write about our road trip in our VW camper van next week!
March 29th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
I’m in – Great weather in Melbourne, Australia at that time for a walk. Just wondering if there’s any way that it could be turned into a fundraiser for a worthy cause?? Or at least publicity for a worthy cause.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Yes from Alaska!
March 29th, 2011 at 11:08 pm
What a fantastic incentive to get motivated. I will not be able to participate on the 10th, but will plan on doing so a fews day prior. I look forward to every participant’s comments and photos. Cool!
March 29th, 2011 at 11:08 pm
I’m in!
March 29th, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Just setting up http://www.mapwalk.com with a walk from the university bus station to our Fox Gully Buscare site. I see that I can load the map straight into my blog. I am off to a meeting now to plan a guided walk on the mountain so this is an excellent tool to show off.
I may not do the walking myself, I put my effort into pulling out/cutting down weeds and restoring the native plants. However, I will get others walking to our bushcare.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
This is a fantastic idea. Count me in!
March 29th, 2011 at 11:56 pm
Yes, I’ll do the 5K barefoot and in my running kilt here just outside of Toronto, Canada. (Photo of photos will be included in my post!)
March 30th, 2011 at 12:14 am
Will try to do the park that day near my house…maybe I can get others to join…Great Idea!…mkg
March 30th, 2011 at 12:43 am
All I can do at my age (78) and with a chronic back, is up to 50ks (on a given day) on my exercise bike – going nowhere unfortunately – but including a swim if the weather is fine.
March 30th, 2011 at 5:49 am
@Ken – 5k on your exercise bike sounds great, too
March 30th, 2011 at 12:46 am
I just blogged about this!
Great idea! I’m going to do this if I have the time. (Whenever I say if, it’s like a 40% chance or lower I might do something…oh well. *sighs*)
March 30th, 2011 at 12:52 am
As one who has one knee replacement & another needed and a broken bone in foot and several slipped discs, ya’ll carry on without me.
March 30th, 2011 at 12:54 am
Count me in as my daughter and I (possibly my 13 yr old, too??) will walk along the Patoka River in Southern Indiana. We will be out there as long as the weather cooperates, otherwise, I will hop on the stationary training bike.
March 30th, 2011 at 12:55 am
Yes, I will hopity, stompity, walkity join you. Love this idea. My heart loves this idea. My lead but loves this idea.
March 30th, 2011 at 1:35 am
What a great idea,I see this really taking off. Hope you keep track in the e newsletter
March 30th, 2011 at 1:39 am
Sure, I’m in!
I’ll take advantage of the nice weather this weekend.
March 30th, 2011 at 1:59 am
I love the date April 10th…I’m signed up to do my first half-marathon that day…will totally blog and run the first 5K thinking of my post!! Get movin’ everyone!!!
March 30th, 2011 at 2:04 am
I’m already signed up to do one for SparkPeople, so this will work just fine!
March 30th, 2011 at 2:05 am
I’m in! I have 6 pairs of trail running shoes I need to break in for my 5 month journey on the Pacific Crest Trail starting next month…this will be perfect! Follow my journey if you’d like!
Dug
March 30th, 2011 at 2:48 am
hi there – as a brand new health/food/body blogger, now on wp.org – the balanced approach.com.au – I think this is a great initiative. Anything to get us all moving is a good thing..I am in..melbourne, Aust.
March 30th, 2011 at 2:50 am
Great idea! I will get out with my trusty companions, my dog and a good friend and we’ll powerwalk the 5k. Will try and get a photofinish and post it.
March 30th, 2011 at 2:56 am
It’s a very good thing that u care about health of your users. I like this idea….
March 30th, 2011 at 3:02 am
I do a 5K walk everyday!
I do it on different routes and club the activity with doing errands and shopping. I also make it a point to tell at least one stranger everyday to walk instead of using a personal vehicle, because not only will it improve their health but save some natural resources for all of us.
Some ideas to do a 5k everyday (and I guess many people may be doing it already):
1. Walk to run an errand or do shopping, if destination is in 1 to 2K range.
2. If you commute to workplace daily: give up the personal vehicle; start early; walk to transport station at least 1.5k from your home and get down at least 1k before your workplace.
3. Make a rule for yourself not to use transport for distances up to 2K and beyond that, use only a public transport.
Finally, it’s great that WordPress pushes this idea – you can influence millions of people towards better health and saving nature.
March 30th, 2011 at 3:24 am
I’m in! I could use the exercise. Gonna try for the whole family of 7 that is home.
March 30th, 2011 at 3:36 am
This is pretty awesome. Anyone up for a run in Charleston, SC?
March 30th, 2011 at 3:45 am
I’m in and so is my 3 month-old daughter. She says she’ll rock the stroller while I give her a push!
March 30th, 2011 at 4:18 am
We in Odessa, Ukraine run this days 100km – it’s ultrarunning dedicated to Day of Odessas Liberation from german occupants. So I will run 5 km (and more if I can) this day
Happy running.
March 30th, 2011 at 4:18 am
i will definitely join on this one!
March 30th, 2011 at 4:40 am
Count me in. I might be slogging through mud here in rural Alberta but hopefully there will be a few signs of spring by then! Should we post the blog on April 10 even if we do the run/walk earlier in the week?
March 30th, 2011 at 4:53 am
Damn, I missed the April 10 deadline by 24 years! But I promise I will do it on April 8, 2035 and post back my results back to the year 2011. Good luck and be safe everyone!
March 30th, 2011 at 4:56 am
Sounds great and I love the flexibility, count me in.
March 30th, 2011 at 5:07 am
This is a great idea! I’m a runner who blogs so I can’t begin to describe how wonderful this activity sounds for me
March 30th, 2011 at 5:13 am
Does it count if I do it on the treadmill?
March 30th, 2011 at 5:55 am
@RandomizeME – It definitely counts!
March 30th, 2011 at 5:46 am
Thanks for the push. I’ve been meaning to make walking a part of my daily regimen. This might just get me started. Look forward to helping myself!
March 30th, 2011 at 5:46 am
loving the idea!
March 30th, 2011 at 7:44 am
School Easter Hols will have just started, so just the excuse I need to get my son out for a 5 mile walk
March 30th, 2011 at 8:01 am
Great idea. And it’s on a Sunday so that’s perfect
We’ll do the jog/run then review a café after!
March 30th, 2011 at 9:05 am
Will join the 5k in Barcelona at Carretera de les Aiugues – with an amazing view!
March 30th, 2011 at 9:09 am
Looks like the perfect reason to buy some new shoes. Must have those new Nike’s. Nancy
March 30th, 2011 at 9:14 am
good idea!
March 30th, 2011 at 9:36 am
I need to find out fellow Automatticians from New Delhi together for this. Doing it all alone wont be fun!
any suggestions I could get them together? Moreover it would be great if Ashish could be a part of the New Delhi run!