PHOTO GALLERY: Waukee Walks at Centennial Park

The first ever Waukee Walks event drew hundreds of people to Centennial Park today as a show of support for the state of Iowa's charge to get residents healthy and more active.

Waukee Walks is part of the Iowa’s Healthiest State initiative called Start Somewhere. It’s meant to educate people about health awareness and how they can live healthier lifestyles just by doing something as simple as walking.

The idea for Start Somewhere grew from some startling statistics. According to a Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, Iowa stands at No. 19 in the country when it comes to healthy states. State leaders want to change that.

“The goal is literally to start somewhere,” said Waukee native, Hy-Vee employee and member of the Waukee Walks planning committee Cindy Irvin. “We want people to get out there and get moving. Whether that means getting up to change the channel without using the remote or working in a garden … all of those things get us moving.”

Hundreds of people showed up to participate in the walk at Centennial Park. Others were encouraged to show their support simply by walking around their neighborhood, office or school.