WALKING : Window Shopping Serves as a Workout

Belle Hawkins logs four miles of window shopping before the Panorama Mall opens to the public.

But Hawkins does not come to shop, she comes to walk. Window shopping is just one of the fringe benefits of belonging to The Walkaroos, a Panorama City-based indoor walking club.

At 71, Hawkins is a typical Walkaroo--an energetic senior citizen who works out regularly with the club.

“I can’t walk with my husband. He strolls,” the Arleta grandmother said. “I’m a fast walker and I can really clip it off. I can do four miles in about 50 minutes.”

The Walkaroos, 150 strong, meet at the mall Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 a.m. for a three-hour morning walk. Representatives from the Valley Hospital Medical Center of Van Nuys, which started the club last month, are also there to monitor the walkers’ progress and pulse.

“We have a very active senior citizen group that walks with the hospital who we knew would enjoy a club like The Walkaroos,” said Judith Baines, VHMC public relations coordinator. “They walk indoors in a very safe environment with some climate control. The hardwood floor is also a better surface for walking.” Baines said a smoother, consistent surface puts less strain on the walker’s legs.

The VHMC started the club in association with ElderMed America, a nationwide senior citizen resource program, and the Panorama Mall. On Wednesday the Walkaroos will honor their veteran members--those who have logged 50 to 100 miles--with T-shirts and certificates.

Hawkins needs only 13 more miles to earn her 100-mile certificate. She credits the club for helping to improve her allergy problem.

“I wanted the cardiovascular work and to be able to breathe better,” Hawkins said. “I just feel like it has really helped in that respect.”

Membership is free.

Information: 818-908-8791.

Jill Latham’s victory last weekend in the Western Regional 5K Racewalking Championships in Fresno bolstered her confidence to win the 20K race the next day.

But the flu knocked her out of the starting blocks.

“I got real sick Saturday night and couldn’t race,” Latham, 50, of Panorama City, said.

Latham was the first woman to finish Saturday’s 5K and was the winner of the master’s division, 40 and older. The Brighton, England, native finished in 31 minutes, 13 seconds to qualify for the national racewalking championships in Eugene, Ore., Aug. 15-17.

Despite waking up sick Sunday, Latham was tempted to compete in the 20K race.

“I probably would have won that one, too, if I wasn’t sick,” Latham said. “The main reason to do it was to beat my record. But I just let it go because I’ve got a big race coming up.”

Latham will compete in the Santa Barbara Foot Fiesta 30K (18 miles) Racewalking Championships on Saturday before preparing for next month’s nationals.