Press Release - Tuesday, September 06, 2005
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QUINN JOINS WITH JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE IN EAST ST. LOUIS TO PROMOTE IMPORTANCE OF WALKING
EAST ST. LOUIS - Today, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn joined Olympic Gold Medalist and East St. Louis native Jackie Joyner-Kersee for an afternoon Walk Across Illinois event at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center.
Walk Across Illinois is a new year-long health initiative designed to encourage Illinois residents to walk at least 167 miles, the equivalent of walking across Illinois from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan. In August of 2001, Quinn hiked 167 miles from the Mississippi River in Rock Island to Lake Michigan in Chicago to promote decent health care for everyone.
"With skyrocketing gas prices, now more than ever, we need to make walking an everyday activity," Quinn said. "Walking is free, improves your health and may be the best way for many of us to save money on transportation."
"Walking with Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a woman who is a true athlete, role model and community leader, really drives home the message that walking and getting fit is for everyone whether you're in grade school, a senior citizen, or even an Olympic Gold medalist."
Quinn's walk started at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center and took walkers around the facility.
So far, 1,738 Walk Across Illinois participants have signed up for the year-long health challenge with more than 25,000 miles already logged.
Walk Across Illinois participants can start taking their first steps by signing up at www.WalkAcrossIllinois.org. The interactive website allows walkers to track their progress on a virtual 167-mile walk across Illinois. Walk Across Illinois participants will also receive e-mail updates with health tips, hiking ideas, and great Illinois places to walk.
In August, Quinn joined with walkers at Walk Across Illinois events in Springfield, Chicago, Peoria and both the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairs.
For more information about how the program works, visit www.WalkAcrossIllinois.org or call 312-814-5220.
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