Coffee Miles Walking Challenge
Though fall technically starts this year on September 22nd, everyone has their own idea of when fall really starts. For some, it’s the day after Labor Day. For others, it’s the first day of school. Others may just wait for the first day when it feels like fall. Or maybe you’re a PSL fan, and the first day of fall is the day that your favorite coffee shop releases its fall menu.
In my town, the first day of school always happens to fall on the first day of Dunkin’s fall menu—so it’s become tradition not just to take myself out for coffee on the first day of school but to take myself out for my first nutty pumpkin iced coffee of the year on the first day of school. This year, I noticed that I wasn’t alone. The drive-thru lane was longer than usual. And as I sat in my car in the parking lot, sweaty and red-faced from my four-mile walk but still wanting to sit and enjoy those first few sips in peace, I looked around to notice that I was not the only middle-aged woman sitting in her car, enjoying her coffee in peace.
While very few people see coffee as a seasonal thing, people tend to celebrate coffee a little more in the fall. And since, around here, we love nothing more than a long walk followed by a large iced coffee, we’re unofficially kicking off the fall walking/coffee season with a challenge that brings our two favorite things together.
How It Works
This month, we’re walking for our coffee! For each mile you walk, you’re earning more coffee fun—from a cup at home to some fun drink upgrades to a coffee date with a friend. You can use your own method to track your miles—or save the image provided to help you keep track of your miles and your rewards.
Here’s what you’re walking for this month:
1 Mile: Coffee at Home
The first milestone is an easy one to reach: just walk that one mile and get your first cup of coffee. You can get up and go for a sunrise stroll around the neighborhood. You can get on a walking pad while listening to a favorite podcast. You can crank up your favorite playlist and walk around the house. Hint: you can even walk around the kitchen while your coffee is brewing. But the goal is the same: miles before coffee.
5 Miles: Upgrade Your Brew
Sometimes I like to shake things up a bit by adding something fancy to the coffee I brew at home. After just five miles, you’ve earned that fun upgrade!
Your upgrade could be:
– a fun flavored creamer
– flavored syrup
– whipped cream
– cold foam
…or anything else that makes your coffee feel extra special.
10 Miles: Coffee and a Treat
Add a little something extra to your coffee at home—like a cookie, a muffin, a donut, or any other small treat.
15 Miles: Visit Your Favorite Coffee Shop
You’ve worked hard, and now you’ve earned a trip to your favorite coffee shop for a regular coffee. You can go through the drive-thru and enjoy your coffee at home or while you’re out running errands—or you can treat yourself to a few minutes to sit at a table with your coffee. Your choice!
25 Miles: Coffee Date
Coffee at your favorite coffee shop is a treat; coffee at your favorite coffee shop with a friend is even better! You know what’s even better than that? A Coffee Mom Walk! (https://willwalkforcoffee.com/2026/07/28/coffee-mom-walks-chat-sip-stroll/)
35 Miles: Try Something New
This may sound scary to some of you, but now’s the time to step out of your comfort zone and try something new! There was a time when I was reluctant to try a Nutty Pumpkin iced coffee at Dunkin—but now I order one as soon as the fall menu drops every year.
50 Miles: Make It Fancy!
I used to be a fancy coffee kind of girl. I loved my Frappuccinos and my Iced Cap from Tim’s. Admittedly, I still do; I just had a kid and hit middle age…and somewhere along the way, I just stopped splurging as much. But 50 miles is a milestone to celebrate with a little splurge.
Now’s the time to pick up that fancy latte or some other specialty drink. Go for the cold foam upgrade or the extra toppings. Whatever makes you feel like you’re really splurging for a change.
75 Miles: Coffee Adventure
For me, every trip to the Dunkin drive-thru feels like a mini adventure. But after 75 miles, you’ve earned something a little more exciting. Now’s the time to visit that new coffee shop you’ve been hearing so much about—or the one you pass by on the way to work but have never taken the time to stop. You’ve earned the extra adventure!
100 Miles: Coffee Celebration!!
100 miles is HUGE! You’ve gone above and beyond to get those extra miles this month, and you’ve earned something extra special!
For this celebration, you get to choose what will feel extra special to you. Is it coffee and breakfast? Is it an extended coffee break at your favorite coffee shop—with coffee and a good book? It is a new package of fancy coffee beans for your morning coffee? You’ve earned it!
Make It Yours
I am aware (even though I don’t understand it) that there are people who do not like coffee. Who do not drink coffee every day just to survive. Who would prefer something else than a trip to a coffee shop. Again…don’t get it. But you’re still welcome here. We love you no matter what you’re sipping on to get you through the day.
If these milestones don’t sound like treats to you, change it up! Maybe your treats will look more like:
– Your morning tea (walk while it seeps!)
– A fruity smoothie
– A delicious breakfast
– A fancy treat at a local cafe
Whatever makes your daily walks feel like an accomplishment…do that.
Optional Bonus Beans
If you want to make this challenge about more than just miles, try our optional Bonus Beans Mini Challenges! Color in an extra bean for every item you complete.
For instance:
Walk somewhere you’ve never walked before? Bonus bean!
Listen to a new podcast while walking? Bonus bean!
Visit a new park for a walk? Bonus bean!
Walk at sunrise? Bonus bean!
Take a Walking Selfie? Bonus bean! (Be sure to tag us and use the hashtags #CoffeeMiles and #WillWalkForCoffeeChallenge)
Check out the challenge image for more options!
After the chaos and unpredictability of summer, September is a time for settling back into routines, going for longer walks, enjoying the first signs of fall, and rewarding yourself with your favorite coffee drink.
This month, take the time to enjoy the movement…and celebrate with coffee.
