New Mexico Heart Walk gets hearts pumping with addition of 5K run
ALBUQUERQUE, Aug. 1, 2023 —The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is welcoming back walkers and inviting runners to its 2023 New Mexico Heart Walk & Run, set for Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Avanyu Plaza at Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. For residents in Artesia, a separate walk will take off simultaneously at Artesia General Hospital.
The New Mexico Heart Walk & Run is the state’s premier event to boost physical and mental health through healthy habits while supporting the Association’s lifesaving mission. The run is new for 2023 with the support of Runfit Race Management.
“Adding the 5K run will add a whole new dimension to an already-successful Heart Walk,” said Nathan Cogburn, president of the American Heart Association-New Mexico board of directors. “Albuquerque is a community of runners, who already understand the benefits of running.
The American Heart Association recommends adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic exercise, or a combination of both.
The walk/run starts and ends at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center’s Avenyu Plaza, providing a scenic route for participants on the historic Griegos ditches. Check in is 7:45 a.m., opening ceremonies follow at 8:30 a.m., and the run begins at 9 a.m. The course is 5K for all who participate. As of July 31, 20 companies, 27 teams and 105 individual walkers had registered. The event is expected to raise upward of $120,000.
“Heart Walk is not just a single day, but a yearlong effort,” said Sherri Wells, executive director of the American Heart Association-New Mexico. “Corporate teams and individual walkers and survivors have been raising funds and preparing physically for month. The support we have from across New Mexico is inspiring.
“With every step taken and every dollar raised, walkers – and now runners – are a part of the solution for a world of longer, healthier lives for all,” she added.
This year’s theme, I Walk to Save Lives, focuses on survivors and puts a face on heart disease and stroke.
To register, visit NewMexicoHeartWalk.org. From there, participants can stay up to date by downloading the Heart Walk mobile app and encourage friends and family to join via e-mail or on social media.
The New Mexico Heart Walk is presented by Life is Why sponsor Delta Dental.
Funds raised from the New Mexico Heart Walk & Run go toward research, advocacy, CPR training and to promote better health in support of the Association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal, reducing barriers to health care access and quality.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook or Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries
Cyd King: M 479.263.8473; cyd.king@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
