The American Heart Association, in partnership with Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, will play host to its annual Clarke Oconee Heart Walk on Friday.

This year’s Heart Walk, which helps to fight heart disease and stroke, will take place at the University of Georgia Intramural Fields.

Event festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the 5K walk will kick off at 6:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the community, and will feature family activities and educational materials, including hands only CPR training. Any funds raised through the heart walkers and donors go toward the American Heart Association to help raise awareness and educate about heart disease and stroke prevention, fund research and support any AHA advocacy efforts.

To register as a walker at this year’s Heart Walk, visit www.heart.org.