Heart Walk of the Palm Beaches takes place in downtown West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Fifteen thousand runners and walkers are expected to participate in the 2012 Heart Walk of the Palm Beaches.

The event features a 5K race and a walk.

The goal of the event is to encourage people to be physically active and spark interest in the American Heart Association.

Proceeds from the event go towards research and education to fight heart disease and stroke, the number one and number four leading killers of Americans.

The AHA puts a large emphasis on walking. Experts say that for every one hour of walking, you can gain two hours of life expectancy.