West Des Moines Businesses, Schools Plan 'Start Somewhere Walks' Wednesday

West Des Moines residents will take more steps Wednesday toward making Iowa the healthiest state in the union by 2016.

About two dozen 1-kilometer “Start Somewhere Walks” have been scheduled at schools and businesses as Iowa seeks record-breaking participation in the Healthiest State Initiative. Last year, 291,000 Iowans participated.

Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Healthiest State Initiative responds to the 2011 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index that showed Iowa was No. 16  in overall physical, emotional and mental health.

The Healthiest State Initiative is a privately led public initiative intended to inspire Iowans and their communities throughout the state to improve their health and happiness. To achieve our goal, individuals, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, not-for-profits and the public sector will unite in a community-focused effort to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation by 2016.


8:15 a.m.: Phenix Tigers walk, Legion Park, Fourth and Vine streets.

10 a.m., Noon, and 3 p.m.: ITA Group, 4800 Westown Parkway, three shifts available, meet in the first floor lobby by the elevators.

10:30 a.m.: Cockrum’s Cruisers, West Des Moines Research, 4700 Westown Parkway

11 a.m.: Grand Avenue Hy-Vee Walk, 1900 Grand Avenue, meet in the Hy-Vee parking lot for 1K walk, store will provide water and T-shirts to all walkers.

11:30 a.m.: St. Francis School Walk, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 7075 Ashworth Road, 1-mile walk around the north playground.

Noon: Walk for a Healthy Iowa, 3200 Westown Parkway. Walk will take place inside on the track at Fitness World West.

Noon: William Penn University CWA Walk, meet at the front desk, 6000 Westown Parkway, Suite 100.

Noon: Jordan Creek Jaguars walk, Jordan Creek Elementary, 4105 Fuller Road, students will walk around the school campus.

Noon: West Des Moines City/School Campus walk, meet behind West Des Moines City Hall and walk around the pond.

Noon: Sammons Financial Group, 4350 Westown Parkway, walk around the Regency buildings, starting outside the south entrance of Building 8.

Noon: LMC Insurance, 4200 University Ave., meet in the lobby at 11:50 a.m.

Noon: Mills Civic – Healthiest State Walk, Mills Civic Hy-Vee, 555 51st Ave., meet at the west front entrance to the store for 1K walk.

Noon: DMACC West Campus Healthiest State Walk, 5959 Grand Ave., meet in front of north entrance to building.

Noon: Holmes Murphy Walk, 3001 Westown Parkway, meet on the east side of the building.

Noon: AE Employee Walkers, American Equity, 6000 Westown Parkway,

Noon: GuideOne “Start Somewhere” Walk, GuideOne Insurance, 1111 Ashworth Road, indoor and outdoor loops, meet in the atrium of the visitors’ lobby.

Noon: OutcomesMTM – Mills Civic/S. Prairie View Walk, OutcomesMTM, 505 Market St., meet at front entrance to OutcomesMTM for 1K walk to Coach’s Pizza for lunch or carry-out.

Noon: Liberty Bank Walk, Liberty Bank Support Center, 6400 University Ave.

Noon: Iowa Health – Des Moines Walk (Methodist West), 1660 60th St., meet at the Conference Center on the lower level at Methodist West.

Noon: First Realty Walkers, Prudential First Realty, 5500 Westown Parkway, meet at the front door at 11:55 a.m.

Noon: INS is Walking, Iowa Network Services Inc., 4201 Corporate Drive., three locations available.

Noon: Walnut Creek Y Walkers, 1600 73rd St., Windsor Heights, meet at Clive Elementary School at 11:45 a.m.; bring water bottle.

2:30 p.m.: ADP Walk for Healthiest State, 4900 University Avenue, meet in front of the building.