Mountain’s Edge to host heart association walk

Mountain's Edge will conclude its Discovery Days promotion Oct. 11 when thousands of participants come out to the master-planned community to participate in the 2008 Las Vegas Start! Heart Walk.

The walk will take place in the 3,500-acre master-planned community's Exploration Park, with a goal of raising $500,000 for the organization.

Registration for the Heart Walk, which supports the American Heart Association's efforts in Southern Nevada, begins at 8 a.m. with a pre-walk warm up at 8:45 a.m.

The walk itself starts at 9 a.m. Participants who do not sign up in advance can do so the day of the walk at Exploration Park.

The park is located just inside the entrance to Mountain's Edge on Buffalo Drive just south of Blue Diamond Road.

There is no entrance fee to participate in the walk; however, collection of donations is encouraged to benefit cardiovascular research and education programs funded by the American Heart Association.

More information about the event and the charity can be found at lasvegasheartwalk.org.

The Heart Walk will feature activities and entertainment along with a Fun Fair that will take place throughout the walk.

There will be numerous educational pavilions on-site at the park providing information offered by the American Heart Association, including Healthier Generation (Children's Heart Information), Heart Disease, Stroke and Go Red for Women and Survivors.

The American Heart Association has set a goal to raise more than $500,000 to help fight cardiovascular diseases and stroke with the 2008 Heart Walk serving as a key event in helping the organization meet its objective.

The American Heart Association helps protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the ravages of heart disease and stroke and events like the Heart Walk are an important part of our efforts to raise funds and awareness," said Sam Kaufman, chief executive officer of Desert Springs Hospital, a member of the Valley Health System and presenting sponsor of the 2008 Las Vegas Start! Heart Walk.

"Heart disease claims close to 1 million lives per year and it's important for everyone to get involved so people in Southern Nevada, and across America, can live stronger, longer lives."

Start! is the American Heart Association's national campaign that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking. Promoting physical activity through workplace walking programs can help employees reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke.

Mountain's Edge and its master planner, Focus Property Group, are strong believers in providing outdoor active events at the master plan, according to company officials.

The Heart Walk is the second walk/5K held this year at the community's 80-acre Exploration Park. The park was host to more than 2,000 runners and walkers for September's Candlelighters 5K Race for Our Kids.

For more information about the community and its events, visit the Home Search Café, located at the community's entrance on Buffalo Drive and Blue Diamond Road, or visit mountainsedge.com.

The Café is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The phone number is 898-5777.