WEST PALM BEACH, FL- Palm Beach County Health Department will join with its community partners for two days of fitness and fun during the second annual “Step Up, Palm Beach County – On Our Way to Healthy Living,” Friday February 18 and Saturday February 19 as part of the statewide “Step up Florida” relay promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

    On Friday, February 18 the fitness flag, which is making its way through all 67 Florida counties, will be passed from Broward County to Palm Beach and brought to Verde Elementary in Boca Raton to kick off the days activities with their fitness and wellness program. Health Department Director Jean Malecki, M.D., said, “Our County has many opportunities to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. These students are a great way to showcase where to begin.” Malecki went on to say there are numerous other activities planned where all can participate.

    The flag will leave Verde Elementary and move on to Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton where Boca Raton Community Hospital and local dignitaries will coordinate a fitness walk and healthy information for all in the community to enjoy. By late morning the flag will move to West Palm Beach where Health Department partners will walk from offices near the West Palm Beach Train Station to Centennial Square where local dignitaries and officials will be challenged to various physical fitness activities. Other participants will receive great nutritional and fitness information they can use throughout the year and compete for door prizes.

    Saturday, February 19 the fitness flag will move during a special day of bicycling from Boca Raton to Jupiter where it can be passed to Martin County for the next leg of its journey. Randy Scheid, President of the Safe Bicycling Coalition will begin the 50-mile trek along A1A with a specially selected group of riders. “We don’t expect everyone to ride with the flag the 50 mile distance so we have organized a shorter ride leaving from Ocean Reef Park on Singer Island and ending at Jupiter’s Lighthouse Park. The shorter ride is open to anyone wanting to enjoy this scenic route along the ocean, through McArthur Park and on to Jupiter. “ The fun ride will leave Ocean Reef Park by 9:30 AM with all riders reaching Jupiter Lighthouse by 11:00 AM for the passing of the flag and light refreshments.

    Other Florida counties will host similar events throughout February. A website will provide a map of the events, a chronological look at the progress each day and highlight the distance covered by each leg. For more information on “Step Up, Florida” visit the DOH website at www.doh.state.fl.us or contact the Palm Beach county health Department www.pbchd.com  561-540-1300.

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