Odisha capital gears up for senior citizen’s walkathon

Bhubaneswar: Come the morning of November 26 and Odisha capital will wake up to a walking marathon of a different kind.

This 1-km-long walkathon exclusively for senior citizens revolves around the theme ‘Serve the Sixties’ to encourage the elderly to take to walking as a healthy form of lifestyle, so as to combat degeneration.

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Picture courtesy: confederationofscadelhi.blogspot.in”Locomotion of an individual gets affected as one ages. People in their old age tend to restrict their movements and stay confined to beds or chairs. It is advisable, not to limit physical activity unless absolutely required. This walkathon is focused at motivating the ageing populace and spread awareness regarding importance of walking. We are expecting 200-odd participants,” said organiser Dr. (Capt) Sarthak Patnaik, an arthroscopy and sports surgeon in the city.

Registration for this event will open at six in the morning and will be done free of charge. The walkathon will begin at 7 am at Master Canteen square and the distance till Ram Mandir square will be covered at an estimated time of one hour, followed by health check-up of the participants. “The trail of the route is flat and hence suitable for the elderly to traverse on,” Patnaik added.

To commemorate World Arthritis Day, a private hospital had conducted a walkathon in the Temple City on October 12. Similarly, to mark International Day of Older Persons, HelpAge India has flagged off a walkathon with participation of 600 senior citizens on 1 October 2013. Odisha Veteran Sportspersons’ Association also arranged one such event in Cuttack as part of Biju Day celebrations marking Biju Patnaik ‘s 97th birth anniversary on 6 March 2013.