AARP Praises Sternwheel Regatta Festival For Adding Walking Event To Distance Run

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Walking enthusiasts get ready.  Changes to the annual walking event during the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Festival means walkers get the same benefits as runners this year.

“This is a significant change that benefits walkers, because walk participants will get the same benefits as runners,” said Frank Bellinetti, AARP West Virginia Senior State Director.  “As an organization that has sponsored the walk for several years, we are pleased that the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Festival has merged the walk with the Charleston Distance Run.”

Registration is open for the 2008 Charleston Distance Walk, to be held in conjunction with the Charleston Distance Run on Saturday, August 30.  Formerly known as the AARP Power Walk, AARP has sponsored the Labor Day Weekend walk for several years.

New this year, walkers will be able to register for the event online at http://www.charlestondistancerun.com, said walk chairman Nemo Nearman.  Additionally, Nearman said walkers will receive other benefits previously available only to runners, including an identification number to wear and a time recording chip that attaches to their shoe.  Walkers will attend the pre-walk pasta party sponsored by Verizon on August 29, as well as the post-event luncheon and awards ceremony at the Charleston Civic Center.

Walkers will have a choice between a 5K course that follows the same route as the 5K run, as well as a 10K route that includes the famed and strenuous “Cemetery Hill,” taking walkers through Charleston’s Spring Hill Cemetery off Farnsworth Drive.  Those who tackle the cemetery route will receive an “I Survived Cemetery Hill” badge when they reach the crest of the hill.

Everyone who completes one of the courses will receive a special, dated, limited edition AARP Power Walk pin.  All leftover pins will be destroyed, along with any leftover Cemetery Hill badges.

Those who register and pay the $20 fee by August 20 will receive a pasta dinner the night before the walk, the commemorative pin and lunch after the walk and a T-shirt.  After August 20, the fee increases to $30.  Registrations will be accepted until 9 p.m. on August 29.

Walkers are encouraged to register online at http://www.charlestondistancerun.com.  Those without internet access can pick up a registration form at Sport Mart, YMCA, YWCA or Nautilus.  AARP also will mail forms to walkers who call (304) 340-4606.

The run and walk is sponsored by Verizon, WOWK-TV, Brickstreet Insurance, the City of Charleston, Appalachian Power, Sport Mart, Tyler Mountain Water, AARP, The Charleston Gazette, Thomas Health System, Bayer, Wells Fargo, Central Distributing, BB&T, Goodwin & Goodwin and Pepsi.