The Wartburg-Waverly Sports & Wellness Center will host two one-kilometer walks Wednesday, Oct. 3, as part of the Iowa’s Healthiest State Walk.

Walks are scheduled at 8 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., beginning and ending at the campus entrance of The W on the east side of the building.

“We are happy to join several other organizations in Waverly participating in this initiative,” said Sheila Kittleson, executive director of The W. “We invite the community to join Wartburg students, faculty and staff on one of the walks.”

A kilometer is about 7.5 city blocks, a 12-minute stroll for the average walker. Walkers can sign up for the event at www.iowahealthieststate.com.

In 2011, Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the plan to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation within five years as measured by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index^®. In 2011, Iowa was No. 16 — up three places from 2010.

“The intent of the Healthiest State Walk is to encourage Iowans to take their own steps that will help us improve our state’s well-being rank,” Branstad said. “The Healthiest State Initiative this year will continue to champion existing well-being programs with special emphasis on encouraging local walk groups, workplace well-being, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and smoking cessation.

“Progress in these areas will translate to a healthier Iowa and better quality of life for all its residents.”

The Healthiest State Initiative is a privately led, public effort that engages Iowans and their communities throughout the state. It involves individuals, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, not-for-profits and the public sector in a broad-based community-focused effort. For more information, visit www.iowahealthieststate.com.