Press Release - Monday, October 10, 2005
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100 ILLINOIS CITIZENS OF ALL AGES SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE 167-MILE WALK ACROSS ILLINOIS, QUINN AND "GRANNY D" RECOGNIZE WALKERS AT NAVY PIER
CHICAGO -- Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn joined with 95-year-old Doris "Granny D" Haddock today at Navy Pier to encourage more Illinois citizens to get moving one step at a time with Walk Across Illinois.
Haddock is nationally known for her commitment to grassroots democracy. In 1999, she walked across the country from Pasadena, California to Washington, D.C. to encourage citizen participation in American life. Altogether, "Granny D" walked 3,200 miles across America and completed her 14-month trek at the age of 89.
"Granny D used her feet to remind everyday people of the importance of walking for a good cause," Quinn said.
Since Walk Across Illinois was launched in August, 100 participants of all ages have successfully completed the 167-mile fitness initiative. Walkers hail from communities across the state including Batavia, Chicago, Dixon, Lombard, Normal, Northlake, Paris, Peru, Rockford and Warrenville. Quinn recognized each of these walkers and presented them with a certificate of achievement.
Walk Across Illinois is 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.
"Just this weekend, thousands of dedicated runners took to the streets for the Chicago Marathon," Quinn said. "Walk Across Illinois is the walker's marathon and an active way to set and achieve health goals."
Walk Across Illinois participation is catching on - so far, 2,637 participants have already logged a total of 71,822 miles.
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.
For more information about how the program works, visit www.WalkAcrossIllinois.org or call 312-814-5220.
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