Topeka ? Don “Red Dog” Gardner visited today with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius after being named the state’s first “Hometown Health Hero.”

Gardner, 67, has led Red Dog’s Dog Days community workout program in Lawrence the past 23 years.

After leading a workout this morning at Kansas University’s Memorial Stadium in his street clothes, he and wife Beverly, daughter Leslie Smith, three grandchildren, and friends drove to the Capitol for a photo opportunity with Sebelius.

He mentioned he was visiting the governor to the approximately 150 people who exercised today and received a big cheer.

In the Capitol, Sebelius thanked Gardner for his work.

“I’m so excited about what you are doing,” said Sebelius, who is an avid runner. “I’ve watched it from afar.”

She said it would be great if Dog Days could be extended statewide.

Gardner gave Sebelius a KU Jayhawk cap and Dog Days T-shirt.

Later, he said, the popularity of the program is picking up as people become more aware of the need to stay fit, even as a young child.

“We’re just getting more and more people. You see more and more little kids coming,” he said.

He said high gas prices may also lead to increasing participation.

“You can’t get in your car and drive to Colorado as many times as you like because of gas prices. You have to stay at home and do things,” he said.

Gardner advised folks to try to get physically active, but not to worry about it.

“Just get involved and do what you can do. Don’t go out here and do so much and have a heart attack. Use your head,” he said.