COLUMBUS (January 17, 2004) Approximately 4,500 Ohioans today took the first step toward a healthier lifestyle in 2004 by participating in a six-mile hike with Governor Bob Taft and First Lady Hope Taft at Hocking Hills State Park. Also joining the Governor at the 39th Annual Winter Hike from Old Man’s Cave to Ash Cave were members of his cabinet and staff.
“I’ve resolved to be a ‘Healthy Governor’ in 2004, with a personal goal of losing 12 pounds this year. Today’s hike was my first small step in reaching that goal,” said Taft. “From the trails of the Hocking Hills to the boardwalk at Maumee Bay, Ohio State Parks offer excellent opportunities to burn some calories while exploring the state’s great outdoors.”
Taft launched the Healthy Ohioans initiative in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Health in 2001 to try and reverse some troubling statistics:
- 22 percent of Ohio adults are obese;
- 27 percent smoke cigarettes; and
- 37 percent get no leisure-time physical activity.
Only 13 percent of Ohio adults do regular leisure-time physical activity.
Hikers joining the Governor today anticipated burning an average of 1,000 calories equal to about half the calories a healthy, active adult should consume daily on the six-mile trek.
At Cedar Falls, the mid-way point of the hike, Taft and other hikers enjoyed a hearty lunch of bean soup, corn bread and hot chocolate. Before starting the second half of the hike, Taft presented the Heart of Hocking Award to members of the Hocking Hills Volunteer Association for their work and commitment to the park. He praised the volunteers and state park staff for making the Hocking Hills one of the Ohio’s most popular tourist destinations.
Hocking Hills State Park is located about 55 miles southeast of downtown Columbus on State Route 664 in Hocking County.