Thousands of Kentuckians will join together to demonstrate they are serious about improving their health and well-being during 2nd Sunday. On Oct. 9, 2nd Sunday organizers invite rural and urban families to walk, run, hike, bike, canoe or dance on "borrowed infrastructure" during local events.  

“Ultimately, 2nd Sunday is not about one day of physical activity, it is about the synergy that can be created within a community to drive positive changes in health through physical activity,” said Nicole Peritore, Get Moving Kentucky coordinator for University of Kentucky Health Education through Extension Leadership.

2nd Sunday is an annual event coordinated by family and consumer sciences agents with the UK Cooperative Extension Service, local governments and other community partners.

The event began in 2008 as a statewide day of physical activity for Kentuckians of all ages. Extension agents and community partners petitioned their local government officials to close a section of a road in their counties to traffic for four hours on the second Sunday of October to allow residents to engage in all forms of physical activity in a safe, family-friendly environment.

According to a report by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kentucky has the sixth-highest adult obesity rate in the nation with 31.5 percent of the adults considered obese. Obesity has been linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Through 2nd Sunday, Kentuckians have a prime opportunity to show their concern about the problem.

This year, more than 80 counties will participate with events unique to their area. In Fayette County, the 2nd Sunday coordinators are hosting several physical activities beginning downtown at CenterPointe Park and continuing along North Limestone Street to Barr Street. In addition to the physical activities, a Sedentary Parade is planned in response to the Men’s Health article that deemed Lexington the most sedentary city in the United States.

For more information on a particular county's plans, contact the local office of the UK Cooperative Extension Service or visit the 2nd Sunday website, http://www.2ndsundayky.com.