Marathon Walking a Growing Trend - Charity Programs Help Average People Achieve Remarkable Goals

A Chance of a Lifetime - The Orlando Disney World Marathon is our next exciting challenge of the Arthritis Foundation -and will take place on January 11, 2004. This is a great way to get in shape and support a worthy cause.

Fort Lauderdale (PRWEB) September 30, 2003 -- While less than one tenth of one percent of Americans has ever completed a marathon, that number soon may be changing. Due to the growing trend of marathon walking, many people who otherwise thought completing a marathon was out of their reach are getting their shot at achieving a lofty personal fitness goal while helping millions of Americans at the same time.

Many people used to think a marathon was not for them or that completing a 26.2-mile event was an impossible feat because they were not seasoned runners. However, with the advent of charity programs like the Arthritis Foundations Joint in Motion program, marathon walking is becoming not only acceptable, but also popular.

In fact, of the more than 2,000 participants annually in the Arthritis Foundations Joints in Motion marathon training program, 60 percent are walkers.

I never thought I could complete a marathon," said PAM BELEY, a participant in the Arthritis Foundations Joints in Motion training team. Training for the marathon helped me get in shape and gave me more energy. Plus, with guidance from the Arthritis Foundation, I raised funds on behalf of a person with arthritis, which kept me motivated to complete the training program and made me more committed than ever to cross the finish line."

Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the U.S., affecting one in three adults and nearly 300,000 children. For one in three Americans, arthritis is a daily struggle that limits even the simplest activities that others may take for granted, such as dressing, bathing or even brushing ones hair. As arthritis surges to epidemic proportions, the mission of the Arthritis Foundation -- to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases -- has never been more important.

Joints in Motion participants commit to raising funds on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation and walk in honor of a person with arthritis. In return, the Arthritis Foundation provides a 20-week training program with seasoned coaches, detailed training schedules, weekly group training sessions and ongoing support to increase endurance and improve walking strategy.

In addition, the foundation offers clinics to learn more about important subjects such as proper footwear, nutrition and the importance of stretching. The training period culminates with travel to the event destination of the participants choice.

A Chance of a Lifetime -- The Orlando Disney World Marathon is our next exciting challenge and will take place on January 11, 2004. Those who achieve their fundraising goals will receive ground transportation and hotel accommodations for the event in Orlando. Twenty weeks of training will be conducted for runners AND walkers, for a half and a full marathon, by our Coach Bob Weinstein, also known as The Health Colonel". Participants from Dade, Broward and West Palm Beach are welcome as well as contributors and corporate and private sponsors from everywhere.

The Health Colonel is also offering two FREE beach cross-training classes per week to all Joints in Motion participants. Coach Bob can be reached at 305-491-3573 or through his website at www.beachbootcamp.net.

Walking is Good for You

The Surgeon Generals Report on Physical Activity and Health states that regular physical activity that is performed on most days of the week reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States."

Besides the obvious health benefits, walking in groups helps build camaraderie and motivates individuals to stick to a fitness plan. In addition, for those with arthritis, walking may reduce pain by strengthening muscles around the joint and keeping joints flexible and limber.

The Arthritis Foundations Joints in Motion program is designed to lead people of all ages and fitness levels through an extensive training program to complete a marathon. Approximately 80 percent of all Joints in Motion athletes have never completed a marathon before, but with careful guidance and encouragement from staff and other volunteers, nearly all of them cross the finish line.

About Joints in Motion

Joints in Motion is the Arthritis Foundations premier athletic training program that raises funds to fight arthritis, the nations number one cause of disability. If you are interested in joining a future Joints in Motion training team, or would like additional information, contact Toni Jones at the Arthritis Foundation at 954-726-6707 or email tjones@arthritis.org or visit www.jointsinmotion.org .

About the Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is the only nationwide, nonprofit health organization helping people take greater control of arthritis by leading efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases.

For free arthritis information, including the Arthritis Foundations brochure, Walking and Arthritis, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 954-726-7607 or www.arthritis.org.

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