This year, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is sponsoring the first annual Jefferson Hospital Three-Mile Walk for Health in conjunction with the 3rd Annual Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run.

The fun walk will start on Sunday, September 17, at 8 a.m. from 12th and Market streets, directly behind the starting line for the half-marathon runners at 9th and Market streets. The Distance Run start time is also 8 a.m. ­ a half-hour earlier than previous races.

The Three-Mile Walk finish line will be located at 16th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, near the Distance Run finish line.

Jefferson University Hospital President and CEO Thomas J. Lewis said the Three-Mile Walk is part of the hospital's effort to support Mayor John Street's new fitness initiative for Philadelphia.

"We, like Mayor Street, want Philadelphia to be the fittest city in the nation," Mr. Lewis said.

Race Director Mark Stewart said he expects that attendance at the Distance Run will greatly increase with the addition of the walk, as well as motivate more people to take care of themselves.

"We've been wanting to develop a walking event for some time," Mr. Stewart said.

For both the Distance Run and the Walk, all numbers and t-shirts will be distributed at the Distance Run Expo, which returns to the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel at 17th and Race streets, after a two-year absence. Registration for the races will close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 16.

The Distance Run's two-day health expo will be presented Friday, September 15, from noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday, September 16, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel. The expo will feature special workshops by Jefferson's orthopaedic and sports medicine specialists and exhibits by leading merchants and manufacturers.

This is the 23rd annual Distance Run and the third year Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is title sponsor for the premier half-marathon race in the nation. Last year's event drew nearly 10,000 entries for the half-marathon. Competition and awards will again be held for corporate and running clubs.

In addition to this year's half-marathon, the Philadelphia Distance Run Festival of Races will hold the Parkway Mile run on Friday, September 15, the Aetna/US Healthcare Children's Run on Saturday, September 16, and the 5K Run on Sunday, September 17.

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