From Murrumbateman to Mt Tuggeranong, Nordic walkers in the Canberra region will participate in a World Walking Day relay event this weekend, 2-3 October.
According to Capital Nordic Walking founder Kristen Pratt, the event will celebrate the power of physical activity to unite people and combat the effects of COVID-19.
Since 1991, World Walking Day has been used to unite people around the world to be active.
This year, the event has been given a major boost with UNESCO granting patronage to the event, which features a global relay during which participants in each country will pass the baton to the other countries in the next time zone.
Ms Pratt said Nordic walking has long been regarded as a very effective physical activity, which can be practised by people of all ages and fitness levels.
By adding specially designed Nordic walking poles to a regular walk, participants experience a great aerobic workout, activating more muscle groups than most other forms of exercise, she said.
“Physical activity is particularly important in the current COVID crisis and walking is the most accessible form of exercise at this time,” Ms Pratt said.
“The passing of the baton around the globe signifies the world being united in being physically active and combatting the effects of COVID-19.”
According to Ms Pratt, Nordic walking is perfect for people who want an extra boost from their walk because using the poles with the right technique significantly increases your calorie burn and oxygen uptake compared with a regular walk. This makes Nordic walking a great, low-impact aerobic activity.
“Equally, Nordic walking is particularly good for people who find it difficult to walk for exercise, because using the upper body to help you walk takes a lot of pressure off the lower body. That is especially good for people with conditions such as MS or Parkinson’s, as well as anyone recovering from injury. It enables people to be more mobile which boosts their wellbeing.”
Nordic walkers around Australia will walk on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October, within their local COVID-19 restrictions, and will ‘pass the baton’ to Nordic walkers in Japan to continue the World Walking Day event.
“We hope to pass the baton from the North to South of Canberra! We have Karen Davis walking in Murrumbateman, and Nicky Gibbons with a small group on Mt Tuggeranong, and many in between, including retirement communities like Goodwin in Ainslie,” Ms Pratt said.
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