By Patricia Villers, Register Staff
pvillers@newhavenregister.com

SHELTON — Organizers of a 5K Wheel/Walk for Fitness along the Riverwalk next month seek to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity, as well as raise funds for a worthy cause.

The first of its kind event is co-sponsored by LifeDesigns Aftercare and Special Needs Fitness Center in Shelton and the Connecticut chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association. Proceeds raised will go toward spinal cord research, education, and family support.

The event will be held Oct. 3, the morning of the annual Shelton Day festival. The organizers seek to promote routine physical activity for people of all ages and abilities.

Todd Johnston, chapter president, said the chapter has 330 members.

He and Tad Duni, owner of LifeDesign Systems Inc. at 415 Howe Ave. and founder of Moving with the nonprofit HOPE Inc., came up with the idea.

Johnston has been visiting Valley schools to talk to students about the event. He recently visited students and staff at Ansonia High School, he said.

Duni launched Moving with HOPE Inc. in February. The organization provides employment services, nutrition information and stresses the need for routine physical activity to people living with physical disabilities and their families.

Register online by Wednesday by visiting www.sciact.org and clicking on the 5K Wheel/Walk link. Donation for pre-registration is $20; same-day registration is $25. For information, call 203-284-1045.

Check-in is at the Farmer’s Market at Canal and Cornell streets starting at 6:30 a.m.

Blood pressure screenings will be available before and after the walk. Continued...

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He said for each completed loop around the Riverwalk, a participant will get a raffle ticket. A prize drawing will be held at the conclusion of the event.

At 9:15 a.m., Mayor Mark Lauretti will issue a “Valley Fitness Day” proclamation signed by Valley mayors and first selectmen, Johnston said.

After the proclamation is issued, “there will be a martial arts exhibition featuring a three-time Ju Jitsu black belt who teaches self-defense from a wheelchair,” Johnston said.

Erik Kondo, a self-defense instructor who operates Not Me, a school based in Arlington, Mass., will be on hand. For information about Kondo and his work, visit www.not-me.org.

Elixon Lopez, owner of Elixon’s Solid Self Defense in Shelton, will demonstrate martial arts as well. He has multiple black belts.

Johnston said he hopes local businesses will sponsor teams for their employees to participate in the walk.

Participants will receive T-shirts, lanyards and a booklet featuring the history of each Valley town and a schedule of events in each town, Johnston said.

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club will run a food booth, and informational booths on physical fitness and nutrition will be available.

Johnston said he has used a wheelchair since he was injured in a 1982 motorcycle accident.

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