Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is sponsoring a 5K and 10K walk and run this month. The BCBSM Riverfront Run will start at 9 a.m. on June 14, replacing the annual River Days Run. The route will showcase the Detroit RiverWalk and Milliken State Park, with proceeds benefiting the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, the stewards of Detroit’s popular RiverWalk and Dequindre Cut Greenway. “When you think of the mission of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we try to activate people, to create options for healthier lifestyles and to improve the overall health of all Michigan’s residents,” said Tricia Keith, senior vice president, Corporate Secretary and Services. “Since the program’s launch last month, we’ve seen employees from numerous Detroit companies embracing an active lifestyle on the riverfront, and this run gives participants at all fitness levels an opportunity to continue these efforts.” The race is expected to attract at least 1,000 runners from throughout metro Detroit, and the top three finishers in each male and female age group will receive medals. All participants will receive a performance T-shirt and a wristband that is good for a one-day admission to the GM River Days festival presented by Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort June 20-22. Registration for the 5K is $30 per participant, and the 10K is $40. Parking is free and available at the River East structure, which is located at the corner of Atwater and River, directly across from the race start and finish. To learn more about this event or to sign up for the run, visit http://detroitriverfront.org/things-do/riverfront-run. “There’s no other location quite like the beautiful Detroit riverfront when it comes to the venue for a walk and run like this one,” said Matt Cullen, Chairman of the Conservancy’s Board of Directors. “We’re anticipating a strong turnout of participants, but there are still openings available for runners and walkers who want to participate in this event.” The BCBSM Riverfront Run is part of a multi-year partnership initiative between Blue Cross and the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy called Live the Riverfront, which encourages a healthy and active lifestyle through a series of free activities along the riverfront. The Blues are pledging $1 million to the effort, which has several components:
- Walk the RiverWalk Wednesdays — Over a 16-week period, the Blues are encouraging people to spend their lunch breaks or free time walking the riverfront on Wednesdays and logging their activity on an online portal. For every third check-in, they’ll receive a BCBSM-branded health-related prize, and those who check in at least eight times are entered into a drawing for Detroit RiverFront Conservancy prizes, including memberships, engraved waterfront paver bricks and tickets to the organization’s annual fundraising gala. This initiative kicked off May 7.
- Weekly fitness classes — From June 2 through the end of August, Blue Cross is offering free weekly yoga and T’ai Chi classes at Rivard Plaza. Urban Solace will lead the yoga classes on Thursdays at 6 p.m. and on Fridays at 9 a.m., while the schedule for T’ai Chi will be announced soon. No registration is necessary for the classes.
- Riverfront Fit Park — In 2015, Blue Cross and the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy will unveil a free, permanent outdoor workout space with stationary equipment suitable for circuit workouts and boot camp-style exercise.
To learn more about Live the RiverFront and the great attractions along the Detroit riverfront, visit http://detroitriverfront.org. Photo credit: A Healthier Michigan
