The new Selma Walking Club will take to the trail again this Saturday, April 18, for a community walk dedicated to Autism Awareness.
Walking Club founder Justin Rudolph says he started the group to strengthen Selma’s collective well being after he had his own season of personal loss, including the death of his brother and the end of a close friendship.
After those experiences, walking became his lifeline. “Walking was literally the only thing that actually saved me as far as my mental and emotional health,” he said, adding that the practice also deepened his spiritual grounding.
He said the idea quickly grew beyond his own needs. He wanted his family, coworkers and the wider community to have access to something that could support their mental and physical health. “Mental health is real. We just gotta start walking and taking care of our actual bodies,” he said.
The Selma Walking Club now meets on the first and third Saturdays of each month at Bloch Park, with additional weekday walks being added as participation grows. Rudolph said the group has expanded steadily, with new members joining every time they gather. Walkers of all ages and fitness levels are welcome.
This Saturday’s walk is dedicated to Autism Awareness, a cause Rudolph says hits close to home for many Selma families. “We have a lot of autistic kids in Selma… every household or every family has somebody that is autistic,” he said. Parents have reached out, he added, eager to participate and help raise visibility for children who often go overlooked.
The walk is free, supported entirely by volunteers, sponsors and Rudolph himself. Participants can simply show up or email their information to selmawalkingclub@gmail.com. The schedule begins with an 8 a.m. meet-and-greet, followed by stretching and health tips before the group starts walking at 8:30. Two laps around the Bloch Park track equal one mile, and most walkers aim for at least that. At the last event, many completed three miles. Light refreshments, water, oranges, bananas and granola bars are provided.
Rudolph said the club is also developing new routes, including a trail near Veterans Memorial Park, and is forming partnerships to expand its reach. In May, the group will team up with the nonprofit Alabama 100 Miles Challenge for a special walk that will include free T-shirts and giveaways.
But at its core, he said, the Selma Walking Club remains what it was on day one, a space for healing, connection, and community strength. “If you can’t love yourself, you can’t expect nobody else to love you,” he said. “I’m proud of myself for keeping it going, and I have a great support system that speaks life into me.”
The Autism Awareness walk begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at Bloch Park. All are welcome.
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