The Vanderbilt campus was a sea of umbrellas and wet tennis shoes Sunday as 3,000 walkers turned out for the American Heart Walk, hosted by VUMC. (Photo by Tim Gilfilen)
"Java" was all dressed up and ready to take Kristy Williams on the walk. (Photo by Tim Gilfilen)
Parking lot 42 was the place to be prior to the walk. (Photo by Tim Gilfilen)
Aerobics instructor Katherine Davis warmed up the walkers. (Photo by Paul Hightower)
[TOP] Dr. Drew Gaffney (left) shared a few moments with Newshound, mascot of WTCF News Channel 5, one of the Heart Walk's sponsors. (Photo by Paul Hightower)<BR>[BOTTOM] The medical house staff had their walking shoes on. Among those taking part were (front row, from left) Cari Loss and Jan Price and (back row, from left) John Bernatavitz, Timothy Hadden, Kyle Happel and Allison Happel. (Photo by Lisa Johnson).
The first sustained rain showers to hit Nashville in nearly a month didn't deter the 3,000 walkers who turned out for Sunday's American Heart Walk.
Vanderbilt this year played host to the American Heart Association event, which raises money for heart disease and stroke research, public and professional education and community service programs.
Most participants were part of company teams, raising money from family, friends, co-workers and others to sponser their walks with a donation.
Parking lot 42, across from the Dayani Center, served as the Heart Walk headquarters and starting point. From there, walkers followed one of two courses that wound through the medical center and university campuses.