A pep rally Tuesday at a school in Austin helped Gov. Rick Perry kick off the third annual Texas Round-Up.

Perry's fitness challenge is meant to encourage people to exercise more and make better lifestyle choices to improve their health.

The one-day fitness event is set for Saturday, April 29.

Several run/walks are planned, along with a health expo and a concert on the grounds of the Texas Capitol.

“The Texas Round-Up is much more than a one-day fitness festival, it is a powerful program that can help Texans make lasting lifestyle changes that will improve every day to come,” Perry said.

“It’s not always easy to make time for regular exercise, but the statistics show that people who exercise for just 20 minutes per day a few days each week live healthier, happier and longer lives. That is why it is so important for Texans of all ages to make physical activity and healthy eating habits a part of their daily routine,” he said.

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Perry is a runner, himself.

He says too many Texans are facing serious health problems as a result of obesity, which, he said, costs the state billions of dollars a year in lost productivity and health care expenses.