Hundreds of local students and their parents participated in International Walk to School Day on Wednesday morning, which involves students from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school all on the same day.

Organized by Allendale Elementary School’s PTO, Spring Hill elected officials also joined in on Wednesday morning’s Walk to School event.

Parents and students took the morning to use the city’s various trails and sidewalks to get to school. The event was held as a part of a larger effort to foster healthier habits in kids and adults, to promote safety by supporting community infrastructure improvements, to help replace car trips to reduce congestion and emissions and to boost a sense of community.

Walk to School Day is an annual event celebrated around the world at thousands of schools. Since its beginnings as a one-day event in 1997, Walk to School Day has become a part of a larger movement for year-round safe routes to schools.

Submitted Photos.