National Walking Day trekked through Auburn last Wednesday.

What, you didn’t know that?

For the dozens of walkers pooled at City Hall Plaza by 11 a.m. on April 2, stretching, chatting, laughing, primed for their half-hour hoof, it was a big deal.

“We’re from the Auburn YMCA, and we’re promoting healthy living,” said Mary Matlin, present and counted with friends Stephanie Norton-Bredl and Lynn McQueen.

Actually, not only the Auburn Valley YMCA, but the Auburn Downtown Association, Auburn Tourism Board, MultiCare, Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, and the American Heart Association had a hand in it.

The rules said they could start on their half-hour trek through the urban jungle of downtown Auburn anytime between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Yet, some pint-sized walkers apparently couldn’t wait. Among those were Ellie White, 6, and Miles Scott White, 3, part of the early bird contingent brought thither by their daycare, Bottles and Books.

Cindy White, who works at nearby MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, was all for it.

“My kids’ daycare came out early, so the kids would not get tired,” White said. “I’m on lunch break, so it worked out great.”

Walkers got a walking map and water.

Some restaurants offered healthy dine-in or take-out options while others had special promotions for the day.

Valley Medical Center gave out free pedometers to the first 500 walkers.

And all who walked were entered in an American Heart Association drawing for prizes.