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In Portland, a weekly crowd has turned the quiet halls of a struggling shopping mall into a booming, neon-soaked fitness parade. They lace up, don retro spandex, and walk to 1980s pop as part workout, part theatrical stroll. The troupe calls itself Food Court 5000, and their blend of exercise and performance has become a draw for locals of all ages.
How an 80s-themed walking group reinvented mall exercise
Krista Catwood started the group after moving into a desk job. Sitting all day made her crave movement. She wanted something social and playful.
Catwood chose the Lloyd Center in northeast Portland. The mall’s wide, indoor corridors made it a practical route. Empty storefronts created long, uninterrupted stretches to walk…