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Southeast's Largest Workplace Fitness Program Promotes Healthy Lifestyles for Workers
Published May 24, 2006
(Updated Dec 26, 2006)
Building on the success of last year’s corporate fitness experience, officials with Kaiser Permanente of Georgia have announced that team registration has begun for the annual Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk & Fitness Program. Now in its 24th consecutive year, the annual 5K corporate fitness program is a unique six-month workplace organized fitness initiative designed to promote healthy lifestyles for metro-Atlanta companies and their employees. The 2006 KP Corporate 5K Run/Walk is slated to step off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2006 in downtown Atlanta – adjacent to Turner Field.
According to Jeff Galloway, Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk race director/founder and U.S. Olympian (1972), companies throughout metro-Atlanta will begin their eight-week training program on Monday, July 31, 2006. Training opportunities for the more than 18,000 runners, walkers and joggers culminate on Thursday, September 21, 2006 when participants for the annual 5K wind their way along a 3.1 mile course through the streets of downtown Atlanta.
“This is truly the only workplace-organized fitness program of its kind in metro-Atlanta and for many individuals, companies and training groups. It has become an annual rite of passage among Atlanta’s business community,” says Galloway. “From the weekly training tips and encouragement from team captains to the free eight-week membership at a leading fitness club like Bally Total Fitness, our corporate fitness program is unparalleled in our approach to helping Atlanta’s business community get fit, stay fit and translate that fitness into fun and a healthy camaraderie among co-workers and ultimately, we hope, their friends and family.”
The Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk & Fitness Program is open to all walkers, joggers and competitive runners regardless of fitness level. The program was started in Georgia by U.S. Olympian, marathon expert and Atlanta resident, Jeff Galloway, in 1983 and included 900 participants from dozens of Atlanta corporations. Today, the event attracts more than 18,000 participants from over 600 Atlanta companies and ranks as the largest self-standing corporate organized fitness program in the nation.
Each participating company team designates a team captain who coordinates, encourages and motivates his/her fellow team members throughout the training period. Large, small and mid-sized companies or self-employed individuals may enter an unlimited number of runners, joggers or walkers as part of their company team. Teams may also include part-time employees, family members, friends and children under 18.
Registration is $20 per person before Wednesday, August 21, at 5 p.m. After that date, registration is $25 per person. To register, call 404-843-8727 or visit www.kpcorporaterunwalk.com.
Awards are handed out for:
- best times
- best team times
- most participation
- team spirit
- best t-shirt
- top male/female finishers
- fastest male/female CEO’s
The Kaiser Permanente ® Cup is presented to Atlanta’s “most fit” companies in categories judged by the Georgia Coalition for Physical Activity and Nutrition (G-PAN).
A portion of the proceeds benefits the Atlanta Braves Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta.
The 2006 Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk & Fitness Program is presented by ING® . Sponsors include: Kaiser Permanente of Georgia; The Home Depot; VIACOM; Clear Channel; WSB-TV2 Family2Family; Star 94; The Atlanta Journal & Constitution; Atlanta Sports & Fitness/Georgia Athlete; Jezebel and 680 The Fan; and Mercedes-Benz, the official automobile.
About Kaiser-Permanente of Georgia
Kaiser Permanente is the nation’s largest not-for-profit health plan, with more than eight million members in Northern and Southern California, Oregon, Colorado, Hawaii, Georgia, Ohio and the Mid-Atlantic states. Kaiser Permanente of Georgia is the state’s largest non-profit health plan, providing health care services to approximately 270,000 members through 12 medical facilities in metro-Atlanta and a network of affiliated hospitals and physicians. Kaiser Permanente of Georgia has “Excellent” ratings for both its HMO and Medicare products from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, placing it among the best health plans in the nation and region in providing quality care and service.
About the Kaiser-Permanente Corporate Run/Walk & Fitness Program
The Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk & Fitness Program is a unique workplace-organized fitness event that began in 1983 in Atlanta with 900 participants from a handful of companies. Designed to inspire fun, fitness and camaraderie among Atlanta’s corporate community, the annual event attracts more than 18,000 participants from over 600 Atlanta companies and has grown to become the largest workplace organized corporate fitness event in the world. Event highlights include an eight-week “Get-in-Shape” training program that culminates each September in a giant “Celebration of Fitness” with a 5K run/walk,.live entertainment, awards ceremony and hundreds of office picnics in downtown Atlanta adjacent to Turner Field.
