The 20th annual Nashville Great Strides walk benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) will take place at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2008. Check-in begins at 8 a.m.

Festivities include admission to the zoo, breakfast and beverages for all participants. Mayor Karl Dean will be there to help kick-off the walk.

Great Strides takes place in communities nationwide. In addition to fitness and fun, the event offers communities a chance to fight cystic fibrosis, the most common fatal genetic disease in the United States, affecting more than 30,000 children and young adults. Great Strides has become the CFF's largest and fastest-growing fundraiser supporting ongoing research opportunities, with more than $26 million raised last year nationally. Walkers in Nashville raised more than $300,000 in 2007. Great Strides encourages area businesses and organizations to form walk teams for the event. Walkers qualify for prizes based on the amounts raised. Goals for this year's Nashville Great Strides are 1,500 walkers and $350,000 raised. Participants of all ages will enjoy the schedule of activities at this year's Nashville Great Strides. Breakfast foods and beverages will be provided in the registration area before the walk begins. Although Great Strides officially ends at noon, all participants' zoo admissions are good all day.

Location: Nashville Zoo at Grassmere (Directions)

Co-sponsored by the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt