Because I enjoy outdoor activities, I signed up to walk in this year’s Faithful to the Call, an annual 5k/1k walk on Saturday, April 16.

Registration is free and can be done on-line by visiting www.faithfultothecall.com. The walk begins at 8 a.m. at Johnson C. Smith University and ends at the McCrorey YMCA. I encourage Qcitymetro readers to participate and start the day with fitness.

“We are looking for a large crowd,” says Harry Burns, health educator at Presbyterian Hospital, a subsidiary of Novant Health.

Burns, who coordinates health partnerships among churches and the hospital, looks forward to this year’s event. He encourages everyone, particularly African-Americans, to participate.

“As a race, we have been labeled as inactive and uncaring towards health,” he said. “However, there are those who are concerned about health.”

Burns said that approximately 40-plus churches have agreed to walk.

Here is a synopsis of the event:

• 6:30 a.m. to - 7:30 a.m.: Shuttle buses depart Friendship Missionary Baptist Church (FMBC), 3400 Beatties Ford Road, and drop participants at the start line at JCSU. The last shuttle leaves Friendship at 7:30 a.m.
• 7:30 a.m. to 7:55 p.m.: Opening Ceremony and on-site registration
• 8 a.m.: 5k/1k walk begins
• 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Walkers finish at H.L. McCrorey YMCA (3801 Beatties Ford Rd)

Free parking is available at FMBC, 3400 Beatties Ford Rd. Additionally, there will be limited overflow parking at nearby McCrorey YMCA.

Pre-race shuttles begin leaving FMBC at 6:30 a.m. The last pre-race shuttle departs at 7:30 a.m. Seating is limited and walkers are encouraged to arrive early.

Walkers are invited to the Y’s Healthy Kids Day event. This is another reason to include children in the walk!

For more information, contact Joe Major, H.L. McCrorey YMCA, 704-716-6500 or Cheryl Emanuel, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 704-432-0216.

I hope to see you Saturday!

To read more on Harry Burns, click this link:

In health and wellness.
***
Sondra E. Z. Hines, an adjunct professor of health & wellness is certified to teach Group Fitness Exercise and Zumba. Email: sondraezhines@yahoo.com.

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