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Citizens for Modern Transit's (CMT) Ten Toe Express Program has proven its popularity with more than 4500 participants prior to the Fall Kick-off on Sept. 11. With the help of Kick-off activities at the Shrewsbury, CWE and North Hanley Station, the program has now reached almost 5000 participants.

The Shrewsbury station was the site for the main event. There was music and giveaways via a live remote by a popular morning radio station The Arch, the opportunity to play "drinko" and sample VitaminWater, free breakfast goodies from Companion and a chance to win other freebies that promote health and wellness courtesy of the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership, IronWorks Fitness, Gold's Gym and more.

The mission of the Ten Toe Express Program is to help increase the number of individuals who integrate walking with public transit use, while promoting the health and well-being benefits of doing so. It is focused, in part, on weekly Ten Toe Express Walking Tours, led by a trained Ten Toe leader. The walks allow participants to see how easy it is to step out and enjoy different St. Louis destinations by foot, light rail and bus. Area employees can join one of the groups, or they can simply round up co-workers and hit the streets for a lunchtime walk or hop on the MetroLink and head to a nearby community that offers refreshing scenery for their mid-day excursion.

This is made easier thanks to the FREE Ten Toe Express Walking Kits given to all program participants which includes a free tote bag, a walking/bicycling map of the St. Louis area, a pedometer, weekly walk logs and food diaries, a new and expanded coupon booklet with $200 worth of savings, MetroLink tickets and the book titled, "Get on Board the Ten Toe Express and Walk into a healthier you!" The book features a walking checklist to ensure walkers have everything they might need before they hit the pavement; tips on stretching, walking form, choosing workout attire and using a pedometer; and nutritional information. There is also a newly expanded listing of suggested indoor walking destinations and their hours of operation, the rail and bus routes serving those locations and references for measuring the length of those specific walks.

One area workday commuter who is already benefiting from the Ten Toe Express Program commented on it stating, "I was so impressed with the information received through the program, that I have given up my parking spot and I am utilizing the MetroLink for my commute back and forth to work, as well as for my pleasure," stated JoAnn Brown, Ten Toe Express Program participant and employee at the Charles L. Crane Agency. "I am also walking at least a quarter of mile to and from the station. I don't think I would have made this move if not for the knowledge I obtained from your organization."

Those interested in learning more about CMT's Ten Toe Express or registering for the program can do so by email to info@cmt-stl.org. Funding for this project is provided in part by the Missouri Foundation for Health and the East-West Gateway Council of Governments.

 

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