Two-thirds of adults in Northamptonshire are overweight, warns county council at launch of 20 Million Steps

Northamptonshire County Council is aiming to tackle the issue by encouraging more people to get active.

The 20 Million Steps weekend will take place from September 18th to 20th and the county council is asking people to go for a walk over the weekend and record how many steps they take.

During last year’s inaugural event, residents across the county clocked up a massive 24,177,082 steps with 7,000 people taking part.

This year the county council is hoping to beat the total by encouraging even more people to take part.

Councillor Robin Brown, county council cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “We all know that physical activity is good for us and taking a walk is one of the easiest ways to do that.

“Last year we were delighted to see families, school and community groups, work colleagues and individuals all taking part in the 20 Million Steps event, and 80 per cent of them told us it would make them likely to walk more often.

“This year we want to see even more people stepping out for the event. It doesn’t matter where you do your walk, but we do want people log their steps on our 20 Million Steps website and help us to smash last year’s total,” he said.

People will be able to pick up a free pedometer at any of Northamptonshire County Council’s country parks over the 20 Million Steps weekend, while county libraries will be organising walking activities and workplaces will also be holding their own group walks.

Walkers are being invited to share pictures of their walk on Twitter using the hashtag #20msteps.

To find out more about the event, including how to log your steps, visit www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/20millionsteps.