Gov. Jay Nixon and first lady Georganne Nixon observed National Trails Day on Saturday by encouraging Missourians to participate in the governor's 100 Missouri Miles Challenge.
This is the fourth year for the challenge, which began in 2013 after Missouri was named the nation's "Best Trails State."
It encourages Missourians to complete "100 Missouri Miles" of physical activity, the governor said, while enjoying the state's great outdoors.
"We created this challenge to celebrate our state's incredible trail systems," Nixon said in a news release. "To date, Missourians have logged nearly 5 million miles through the challenge.
"It's an outstanding accomplishment, and as we continue the challenge in 2016, we want to encourage even more people to explore Missouri's trails and discover the many benefits of outdoor activity."
The news release noted many different ways the miles can be earned, with Missourians encouraged "to run, walk, bike, ride, swim, hike, paddle or roll their way to 100 miles of physical outdoor activity."
Participants can sign up for - and get more information about - the challenge through the "Take the 100 Missouri Miles Challenge" link on the state's website, mo.gov.
That link also provides a way for participants to log their miles and earn digital badges to mark their accomplishments.
In 2015, the program introduced "Buddy Miles" to allow participants to use their account to log miles for family, friends and pets.
Georganne Nixon said, in the news release, "One of the highlights of this program is that it encourages families to get out in nature and experience all the great outdoors has to offer.
"Whether you are exploring a neighborhood trail nearby or going off on a rugged adventure in a state park, there is something for everyone to enjoy."
The challenge kickoff came as the Nixons hosted the second annual Governor's Capitol Campout.
About 100 participants were invited from Mid-Missouri, St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield to learn about camping, enjoy outdoor activities and spend the night at the Capitol Complex in Jefferson City.
Springfield-based Bass Pro Shops and Missouri State Parks sponsored the event, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Coleman Company Inc.
Missouri was one of 17 states slated to hold campouts as part of an American Recreation Coalition national initiative.
The American Hiking Society's National Trails Day is the country's largest celebration of trails and a nationwide event designed to promote and celebrate the importance of trails in the United States.
Missouri special events to celebrate the day included guided hikes and trail events in various state parks, conservation areas and municipal parks.
More information on National Trails Day is available at americanhiking.org/national-trails-day.
Last year, American Trails - a national nonprofit organization working on behalf of the nation's hiking, biking and riding trails - recognized Missouri with the Outstanding Media Award for the Governor's 100 Missouri Mile Challenge.