AHA Wall Street Run & Heart Walk

American Heart Association Start! Wall Street Run & Heart Walk
May 19, 2009

The Start! Wall Street Run & Heart Walk is a 5K (3.1 mile) competitive run and non-competitive walk to raise awareness and funds to support the American Heart Association's mission to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke – the nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. Approximately 12,000 people participate in this year's event including Memorial Milers Joan Hamilton, Paul Pietropaolo, Connie Lee and her brother Peter Lee.

The AHA Start! Wall Street Run & Heart Walk traveled a circuitous route through Lower Manhattan, starting on Greenwich Street at Murray Street and finishing on the Esplanade. The exact route is as follows: Head north from the start on Greenwich Street, turn right on Warren Street, right on Church Street, left on Dey Street (becomes John St), right on William Street and continuing down on South William Street, left on Broad Street, left on Pearl Street, right on John Street, right on Water Street (turns into State Street and continues along Battery Park), left on Battery Place, left on Third Place, and right on the Esplanade to the finish near Liberty Street.

More than 27,000 people in New York City alone die from heart disease and stroke each year. At the Start! Wall Street Run and Heart Walk you can visit the Create Hope, Inspire Change and Celebrate Success communities, featuring free health screenings, nutrition and fitness information, resources on heart disease and stroke, product sampling and more.

What is Start?
The Issue Cardiovascular disease is our nation’s No. 1 killer. Physical inactivity significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Seventy percent of Americans don’t get enough exercise, blaming lack of time and lack of motivation. Ignoring fitness and health increases chances for disease.

The Start! Solution Start! is the American Heart Association’s groundbreaking national campaign that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking. Promoting physical activity through workplace walking programs can help employees reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke and lead longer, stronger, healthier lives.

Joan and Paul on Broadway, heading to the start of the race.

Joan, Paul, Peter and Connie before the start of the race.

The runners take off!

Paul with the Brooklyn Cyclone mascot at the finish of the race.