Spring Walk Across Arkansas Campaign now underway

One Mile at a Time, lead by team captain Shelby Sifford, earned the top prize in the Royal Jaguars category by participating in the Fall Walk Across Arkansas competition. The eight-person team walked 2,057 miles during the eight-week competition. There were a total of 99 teams from 16 counties across Arkansas taking part, meaning that almost 800 people participated in this Extension program statewide.

Walk Across Arkansas is a physical activity program of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. It is held two times a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. The purpose of the program is to improve the health of Arkansans one step at a time.

"Just by increasing the number of steps taken each day, a person can really improve his or her overall health," says Dr. Margaret Harris, assistant professor of health for the division. "We want all Arkansans to participate in activities that encourage movement and promote health, and Walk Across Arkansas is a great place to start."

Debbie Baker, County Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Science, says one of the great things about Walk Across Arkansas is that's inexpensive.

"The only equipment someone needs to participate is a pedometer," she says. Baker also says that Walk Across Arkansas is designed to be convenient for participants.

"If participants want to walk for their physical activity, that's great, but they don't have to," Baker says. "Any kind of physical activity from dancing, strength training to gardening can be converted to miles and recorded in the daily log."

Baker says the spring competition got underway last week and will continue through May 2. For free registration or more information contact Baker at djbaker@uaex.edu or visit www.uaex.edu and click on Health & Nutrition.