The Hope Cultural and Educational Foundation announced yesterday that its next walking campaign to get more people into the habit of exercising will be held on Sept. 17.
“Walking is the most perfect sport in the world,” said Chi Cheng (紀政), the foundation’s chairwoman and bronze-medal winner in the women’s 80m hurdles at the 1968 Summer Olympics, who has been promoting awareness of the benefits of walking since 1986.
Chi said at a press conference that the campaign was an extension of her passion for promoting “the easiest sport” that helps people maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The foundation said the annual event has been sponsored by Nan Yang Industries Co since 1986 and this year’s activity is expected to be the biggest to date, as one of the participants will win a Hyundai i10.
In this year’s activity along the Sindian River (新店溪), participants will walk 6km — about 10,000 steps, the minimum the foundation urges people to walk every day.
Walkers will receive attractive souvenirs when they finish the route, but the main benefit will be the good health they can get from participating, the foundation said.
Nan Yang president Lai Juey-long (賴瑞龍) was also at the press conference to advocate the benefits of walking.
“People nowadays lack nothing but exercise,” he said. “Marathons may not be suitable for everyone, but walking is.”
Lai, 52, who recently forced himself to walk 12,000 to 15,000 steps every day, rain or shine, said he has lost 3kg in just two months.
In addition to fitness, Lai said regular walking also helped improve his metabolism and digestion.
People interested in participating can call (02) 2597-8186 or visit www.hope.org.tw (Chinese-language only) to register. The registration fee is NT$300 and all proceeds will go to charity, the foundation said.
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