FRIDAY• What: Health Fair and Training Event at Salvation Army of Chattanooga.• Where: Salvation Army ,2140 E 28th St.• When: 4-5 p.m.SATURDAY• What: UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS Chattanooga Fun Run• Where: Ross’s Landing, 200 Riverfront Parkway, Chattanooga• When: Registration begins at 8 a.m.; warm-up exercises with athletes and Dr. Health E. Hound at 8:45 a.m.; start of race/check presentation to Salvation Army of Chattanooga at 9 a.m.; finish line with every participant receiving a medal at 9:30 a.m.
UnitedHealthcare is teaming up with IRONKIDS to sponsor the UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS Chattanooga Fun Run where kids ages 3-15 will have the opportunity to race on the same course as the IRONMAN athletes at Ross’s Landing.
The age appropriate 1/4, 1/2 and one-mile fun run is for “triathletes to be” and aims to help stem the rising tide of childhood obesity through exercise and healthy lifestyles. UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound, along with Congressman Chuck Fleishmann and State Sen. Bo Watson, will kick-off the race, which concludes at the same finish line chute as the IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon that takes place the following day.
Families and children in Chattanooga and surrounding communities are encouraged to participate and join in the fun. The cost is $15 to participate, and UnitedHealthcare will make a $15 donation to the Salvation Army of Chattanooga for each of the first 200 kids to register. The company, along with IRONKIDS, is also providing 100 free admissions to the Salvation Army, enabling youth in the area who may face cost barriers, to participate in a running event. Preregistration begins at 8 a.m., with the race beginning at 9 a.m. Parents and participating runners are asked to arrive early.
Additionally, UnitedHealthcare and IRONKIDS will hold a special training session and health fair with Salvation Army youth members Friday afternoon to help prepare the kids for the “big” IRONKIDS run. Dr. Health E. Hound and IRONMAN athletes will lead exercises, games and a Q&A on eating and living a healthy lifestyle. Free health screenings for kids and their families will be provided.