“Walk Kansas” to encourage physical activity
KSU Research and Extension teams up with Governor’s HealthyKansas initiative

Governor Kathleen Sebelius’ HealthyKansas initiative and Kansas State University Research and Extension are teaming up to promote physical activity.

“Walk Kansas” is a team-oriented, eight-week walking program beginning March 11 and concluding May 5, with the goal being to walk a combined 423 miles – the distance across the state.

“Walk Kansas is a great way to include physical activity in your daily routine, and develop personal health habits that will last beyond the eight weeks of this event,” Sebelius said. “I encourage Kansans of all ages to form teams and get walking.”

Teams of six will walk daily to reach the goal, and other forms of physical activity such as running, biking, swimming, etc. can be counted towards the team’s mileage. Each team member’s daily mileage would need to average approximately 2 miles over the eight-week event to meet the goal.

Teams are formed and registered in Walk Kansas through local K-State Research and Extension offices, according to Mike Bradshaw, K-State Research and Extension’s Health and Safety Specialist. A registration fee of $5 per team member is charged in most counties.  Registration information can be found by contacting your local county or district extension office. The registration deadline for most counties is prior to March 11.

“Our goal for 2007 is to register 20,000 walkers of all age groups – students, adults and seniors,” Bradshaw said.

This is the 6th year for the Walk Kansas program. Bradshaw says the event continues to grow in participation each year as Kansans see the benefit of regular physical activity and eating healthy.

The HealthyKansas initiative was started in 2004 to encourage children in schools, adults in the workplace and seniors to take more responsibility for improving their health by increasing their level of physical activity, eating a better diet and avoiding tobacco.  Walk Kansas teams will receive a HealthyKansas pledge card and other activity and nutrition support materials in their registration kits.

More information on the Healthy Kansas initiative can be found at www.healthykansas.org, and registration information for Walk Kansas can be found at www.walkkansas.org.

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