Aiming to walk into world record book
Students, City of Kitchener employees help Ontarians in effort to beat Aussies
October 04, 2007
KAREN KAWAWADA - RECORD STAFF - WATERLOO REGION
Students at Lester B. Pearson Public School in Waterloo take part in International Walk to School Month and the World Record Walk yesterday. Ontario is trying to set a world record for the most people walking one kilometre at the same time. Another goal is to get more people walking to school and work.
Across Waterloo Region and around Ontario yesterday, people laced up their shoes and went for a walk.
It was nothing too strenuous -- just a kilometre. At Waterloo's Lester B. Pearson Public School, that just meant a lap around the large school grounds, plus a little extra.
The 1,000-odd students were hoping to
be part of breaking a world record for the most people walking a kilometre at the same time.
"We're doing it because we believe children need to engage in physical activity and this is a good way of promoting that," said principal Donna Robinson.
The event was part of International Walk to School Month, which aims to get kids walking for health and environmental reasons.
The World Record Walk had people across Ontario all walking at 12:30 p.m. In Waterloo Region, a number of schools and other groups took part, including staff at the Grand River Conservation Authority, the City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo.
The hope is to have more total walkers than Western Australia did in September 2006 -- they had 100,915. Because people have until Oct. 12 to get their paperwork in, it's not yet known if Ontarians beat the record.
Jacob Huras, 10, said it would be "really cool" if his school ended up being part of breaking the record.
He doesn't actually walk to school most of the time but said yesterday's walk inspired him to do it more often.
"It'll keep my body moving and I'd like to do it again and again," he said.
Maya Stankovic, 10, a Lester B. Pearson student, said the lunchtime walk was "cool and fun" because "a lot of people can get more exercise than they usually do."
She normally walks to school and likes being able to look at dogs and other things she wouldn't notice as much from a car.
Liam Cormier, 9, said he also walks to school every day.
"I like walking better," than getting a ride, he said. "It gives you exercise and it doesn't pollute the air."
Jenny Zhang, 10, said she bikes to school. Biking is also being promoted.
"There's a little path and it's actually faster to bike than drive," she said.
Joy Gould brought her two-year-old son in a stroller to walk with her daughter. Six-year-old Kayleigh always walks or bikes to school and the whole family tries to keep active, she said.
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