Six Thousand Prepare to Improve Air Quality and Health by Participating in the Metro Atlanta Walk There Challenge

Fourth annual competition challenges drivers to leave their cars behind

(ATLANTA, GA — 02.29.08)

Rapidly becoming an annual rite of spring, workers throughout the metro area are preparing to slip on their walking shoes to improve their health, help clean the air and reduce traffic during the Metro Atlanta Walk There Challenge. The competition runs from April 1st to 30th, promoting physical activity and walking as a form of transportation. Registration begins March 1.

“In just two years, the number of participants doubled from 3,000 to 6,000, and we expect to see that trend continue this year,” said Kevin Green, executive director of The Clean Air Campaign. “Most people are pleasantly surprised when they get out of their cars and experience the impact walking can have on individual health and the health of our region.”

Participation is easy for individuals, employers and property management companies. They simply sign up by visiting The Clean Air Campaign Web site – CleanAirCampaign.com, clip on a free pedometer (provided by The Clean Air Campaign) and begin tracking the number of steps walked each day. The Web site also has rules of the competition and easy tips to make walking a bigger part of the daily routine.

Every week two individuals from each area (11 total areas throughout metro Atlanta) will be randomly selected to win an iPod shuffle. At the end of the competition, whoever logs the most steps for each area will win an overnight stay for two at The Inn at Serenbe.

Depending on stride, most people cover a mile in 2,000 steps.Though studies suggest that 10,000 steps per day is a good ballpark goal, many Atlantans are more likely to find themselves in the range of 900 to 3000 steps per day. Getting the steps to add up can be quite easy. Many people work within walking distance of restaurants and shops, or errands like trips to the ATM, the drugstore or dry cleaners. At home and on the weekends, there are additional opportunities to reduce driving, such as walking your child down the street to a friend’s house rather than driving or walking to stores within a shopping center as opposed to driving to each one.

The Metro Atlanta Walk There Challenge focuses on education about pedestrian issues in a fun and friendly competitive atmosphere. Challenge your neighbors, staff and co-workers, friends and yourself to walk more, drive less – and in the process, to promote better health, cleaner air and less traffic.

The Metro Atlanta Walk There Challenge is a region-wide event drawing on the strengths of 10 organizations in metro Atlanta working to reduce traffic congestion by increasing the use of commute alternatives. These organizations include ASAP+, The Clean Air Campaign, Buckhead Area Transportation Management Association, Clifton Corridor TMA, CobbRides, Commuter Club, Downtown TMA, the Hartsfield Area TMA, Midtown Transportation Solutions and the Perimeter Transportation Coalition.

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About The Clean Air Campaign

The Clean Air Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that works with Georgia employers, commuters and schools to encourage actions that result in less traffic congestion and better air quality. To accomplish this goal, The Clean Air Campaign and its associate organizations work with more than 1,000 employers to design and implement commute options programs; help thousands of commuters annually find commute alternatives that work for them, with targeted incentives to get them started; protects public health by issuing Smog Alerts; and work with elementary and middle schools to empower children, parents and teachers to play a positive role in reducing traffic and cleaning the air.

Each day, these efforts help reduce traffic in the region by more than one million vehicle miles and keep some 500 tons of pollution out of the air we breathe. For more information, call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624).

Media Contact:
Tracy Paden or Lisa Sharp
404.816.2037