| 30 May 2009 |
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is proud to announce the region’s newest healthy lifestyle event: the Anthem Stride Through Time set for Saturday, May 30th, 2009.
“We are constantly looking for ways to help make our community healthier, and we feel sponsoring the Anthem Stride Through Time is another important step to accomplishing our goal of improving the lives of the people we serve and the health of our communities,” says Burke King, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “Our hope is that this walk will motivate thousands of Richmonders to exercise regularly, and at the same time learn more about our region’s rich history.”
“This is a unique event,” says Bill Martin, executive director of the Valentine Richmond History Center, the charity co-partner for the event. “No other event in the region combines an interactive celebration of local history with a fitness walk. We are grateful Anthem joins with us in seeing the potential this holds for the community.”
Anthem Stride Through Time will have a start and finish at Brown’s Island and will pass by historic sites such as the American Civil War Center at Tredegar, the Canal Walk, St. John’s Church, the Poe Museum, the 17th Street Farmers Market, Monumental Church, the Virginia State Capitol, the Valentine Richmond History Center, the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, the Jefferson Hotel and the Franklin Street corridor. Walkers will encounter music, living history and street exhibitions.
“You can become a history fanatic at any age,” said Mary Jane Hogue, executive director of the Historic Richmond Foundation, the event’s other charity co-partner. “The Stride is an example of how to adapt our past to our present by celebrating Richmond’s historic communities, structures and events through something popular like exercise walking.”
The untimed fitness walk, which is owned and organized by the Sports Backers, will take place on the Canal Walk and city sidewalks. Streets will remain open to traffic with pedestrian crossing support at significant intersections. Water stops and bathroom facilities will be located along the route. The walk will also include the Anthem Youth Treasure Hunt, an interactive history activity for youngsters.
“History is fresh and alive in our streets,” adds Martin. “Our walkers will see history unfold in great detail and have a fun morning.”
For further event details and registration information please visit www.sportsbackers.org.
fyi — if you sign up through RVANews.com you have a chance to win a free wii and wii fit!