Get Up and Move on National Walking Day

Next week, millions of Americans will get moving - for a good reason.

April 3 marks the American Heart Association's National Walking Day, an annual event that highlights the importance of an active lifestyle. According to the Association, almost 50 percent of men and 33 percent of women are at risk for heart disease, which can be prevented through simple activities like walking.

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To mark National Walking Day, Duke staff and faculty will gather at 2 p.m. April 3 outside the Bryan Research and Seeley G. Mudd buildings for a short walk through campus. All faculty and staff are welcome to join. Fruit and water will be offered for a snack.

"Like many others, heart disease has personally affected my family and as such, I know the importance of a healthy lifestyle in reducing the risk of heart disease," said Kevin Sowers, Duke University Hospital president, who will lead the event. "Getting enough physical activity each day is often a challenge, but by participating in National Walking Day, you can get your heart pumping and join thousands of others across the country as they walk to support the American Heart Association."

During the Duke event, participants will have the choice of joining fellow faculty and staff on a walking route that lasts about a half-mile or one mile. Both routes will travel from the starting location by the Seeley G. Mudd Building and head toward West Campus, passing the Levine Science Research Center before looping back. A map of the route can be found here.

Faculty and staff interested in participating are asked to register online. Preregistered employees will be entered into a drawing for 100 LIVE FOR LIFE dollars to be used at the LIVE FOR LIFE store.

"Many people think about exercising before or after work, but it's the hours in between that can pose a greater risk to your health, especially if you have a job that is fairly sedentary," said Liz Grabosky, fitness manager for LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke's employee wellness program. "Walking is one of the best things that can do you and National Walking Day gives you the opportunity to remind yourself and inspire others to take good care of themselves."

In addition to benefiting health, Duke employees who choose to stay active by walking can earn free prizes. LIVE FOR LIFE offers programs like Take Ten, a self-paced incentive program that encourages faculty and staff to get physically active twice a day for 10 minutes at a time. Participants in the program can earn up to 260 LIVE FOR LIFE dollars in the program.