For the Reporter

Auburn took part in the American Heart Association National Walking Day on Wednesday in downtown Auburn.

Participants started at the City Hall Plaza for a 30-minute walk. Walkers went on their own or joined a group hosted by Auburn Valley YMCA’s fitness staff.

Restaurants offered healthy dine-in or take-out options, and other businesses had special promotions for the day. Free red shoelaces went to the first 100 walkers and 500 pedometers were given to the first 500 walkers.

The Auburn Downtown Association and the Y presented the event.

National Walking Day is a callout by the American Heart Association to get people active.

The recommendation is 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week. That’s part of a lifestyle that can prevent 80 percent of heart problems.