Wednesday, 16 May 2007 12:00

Deborah Van Brenk, The London Free Press

Walk to stay fit.

Walk to clear your mind.

Walk to get acquainted with the neighbours.

That's the message London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best and a whole gang of other fitness enthusiasts hope Londoners will embrace. 

May 20, London will join four other Ontario cities in recreational walks through downtown. 

There's no fee to join, no money to raise, no personal-best-time to better.

"The whole concept behind Ontario Walks is to encourage more people to think about exercise and a healthy lifestyle," DeCicco-Best said.

"It doesn't have to be fancy. It could be a walk around the park, a walk around the building where you work, a walk through your neighbourhood."

DeCicco-Best was one of a few dozen people who took a warm-up stroll around Victoria Park at noon May 16.

The walk May 20, led by London West MPP Chris Bentley who runs regularly, starts at 2 p.m. at Victoria Park and offers participants four different routes downtown.

DeCicco-Best said she tries to take time daily to walk, either outside in the neighbourhood in good weather or on a treadmill at home during winter.

She said it helps clear her head and focus her thoughts.

"I don't think I would be able to do my job as well if I didn't get out and exercise," she said.

Debora Van Brenk is a Free Press reporter.

Click here to read the original article on the London Free Press website.