It’s time to celebrate the 2023 Cardinal Walk

Join your colleagues for the 17th annual Cardinal Walk on Thursday, August 10, from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stanford Stadium. Employees not working on-site on August 10 are welcome to participate remotely at the same time. Get outside, get moving, and come together for a celebration of well-being and community hosted by BeWell in partnership with the Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (DAPER). 

The theme for this year’s event is carnival. There will be games and activities, stilt walkers and jugglers, dance demonstrations, photo booths, healthy snacks, T-shirt giveaways (while supplies last), and more. Of course, the highlight of the event is a one-mile walk from Stanford Stadium to Maples Pavilion, an opportunity to take a break from work and integrate movement and connection into your day.

Event schedule

• 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Festivities at Stanford Stadium (including games, snacks, and a T-shirt giveaway)
• 11:45 a.m. – 11:50 p.m. – Remarks from leaders 
• 11:50 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Fitness warm-up (there will be a seated version of the dance demo)
• 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. –  A collective one-mile walk (or roll!) 

It’s more than a walk

Cardinal “Walk” is our traditional name for this event, but whether or not you are able to join in the walk itself, you are welcome and encouraged to participate in the event. The one-mile Cardinal Walk course is flat and step-free. Complete just part of the course if you prefer; you do not have to finish the entire route. There will also be seats stationed around the event, so you can take breaks as needed.

View the course map.

Cheering on others from the sidelines is another way to participate, and you can spread encouragement by participating in a cheer group. At the finish line, participants in the walk can vote for their favorite cheer group, and the winning group will be rewarded with $50 Massage Envy gift cards.

If you can’t walk in the event or cheer from the sidelines, we invite you to join the livestream to connect with your colleagues and view real-time photos. 

The entire event has been organized with accessibility in mind, and we invite you to review the accessibility details before you plan to participate. If you still have questions or think you may need a disability-related accommodation, please contact us by July 29 at bewell@stanford.edu.

Transportation to the Stanford campus

We’ll provide free shuttles to and from Stanford Redwood City (SRWC), SLAC, and Stanford Research Park. See the schedules to plan your trip.

Working remotely on August 10?

Use this link to join the event remotely. Walk virtually with your team, Stanford employees nearby, family or friends, or on your own. Use this toolkit to plan a remote walk, connect with your nearby colleagues, and organize your walk.

You can view pictures of your colleagues at the stadium and even share photos from your walk to display on the stadium’s video board and in the Zoom livestream. (See photo-sharing details in the right sidebar.)

Cardinal Walk Tips

• Dress in comfortable clothes conducive to moving, especially comfortable shoes.
• Be sure to bring or wear sunscreen or a hat for sun protection.
• Come prepared with a water bottle. (There will also be water stations in the stadium and along the route.)
• Arrive early if you want to make sure you get a T-shirt. (They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.)
• Check the transportation schedule in advance to plan your trip from other campuses.
• View the course map ahead of time to better understand the route, water stations, parking areas, and restroom locations.

Timekeeping for non-exempt staff.  Your wellness and that of your teams is important, so all employees should be permitted time to attend. 

Non-exempt employees who wish to attend the event and are approved to do so by their supervisor, taking into consideration operational needs, should be permitted time to attend. This time should include the unpaid lunch break. Any time outside the normally scheduled unpaid lunch break should be reflected as paid work time in the employee’s timecard.