Franciscan Health Fitness Centers

Anyone Can

Do A 5k

221 US HWY 41, Suite A, Schereville, IN 46375

Anyone Can Do A 5k

Contact Information:

Betty Durochik,Program Supervisor

Phone Number: 219-865-6969 ext. 3020

Email:

Program Overview:

After hosting a Gold Cup 5k event for 30 years, we wanted to change our focus and create somewhat of a different concept for our Annual 5k event. We realized that at this time, adult and childhood obesity has increased substantially in the last 30 years. The statistics; 31% of adults and 18% of children were obese, as defined by their body mass index (BMI). Losing body fat requires both caloric restriction and daily vigorous exercise. Our purpose is being a trusted advocate coach who inspires individuals along their wellness journey. We strive to be the leading wellness advocate and resource for the community and coach to the individual anywhere along the health continuum, providing the opportunity to individuals to experience the benefits of improved health.

Therefore, in 2012 we introduced our 1st Annual “Anyone Can Do A 5k” Walk/Run. We wanted to encourage folks to get off the couch and join us on in our neighboring Plum Creek Subdivision, for a morning of activities. Individuals were welcomed to sign up or encouraged to pull together a team - either way, we knew folks would have a great time! Teams made crazy team shirts and visors and one group wore their team colors. We welcomed our hospital organization to join in on the fun and created a reduced family rate for the health care staff.

One of our other programs at our facility at this time was, Thin & Healthy’s Total Solutions program, a weight loss program, and it recently reached a milestone of over 10,000 total pounds lost by its members. They celebrated at the 5k by wearing matching tee shirts and holding a ribbon cutting ceremony prior to the start of the inaugural 8am event.

We created motivational signs along the course to keep walkers and runners hyped for the duration, a tradition that continues today.

Postcards were mailed out to all residents in the Plum Creek Subdivision, to make them aware of the event and to encourage them to come outside and help cheer on the participants. We thanked our neighbors by inviting them to use our facility for a day at no charge, for allowing us to use their subdivision for the event.

We reached out to not only our members, but to the community. Many people are not runners; many have never walked a mile, let alone 3.1 miles. Perhaps completing a goal or doing a 5k was something that was on a bucket list. We encouraged ALL individuals to join in and made the event fun! We reached out to our local newspaper and created a custom sponsorship level and worked out a trade agreement for some newspaper advertisement. This year, the newspaper was also running a program where 17 readers are attempting to lose 17 pounds within the year. Therefore, we offered these 17participants a free entry into the event to help increase their motivation, stay accountable to training, get a feeling of accomplishment when completed.

We had trainers and volunteers on the corners of the course not only to guide runners, but also to offer encouraging words and help motivate. It was time to show the world YOU CAN DO THIS! Whether this was their first 5k or their 50th, we told them to plan on celebrating their accomplishments with family and friends - that they can get healthy and have fun at the same time – remember this is an event for ANYONE! We want to get everyone out to participate! We offered a 12 week training programs to help prepare members and the community in additions to ease their fears that they won’ be able to finish.

We have had our share of elite runners. We also had a gentleman who weighed over 500 pounds and walked his first 5k! We have had a bariatric patient group form a team for the last few years and they still come together to compete in the 5k. We have a couple, who are loyal members, volunteer every year to work the race. Last year, they were very excited because they would be celebrating their anniversary with us and getting matching event tee shirts with their wedding anniversary date on.

We complete each event by completing an Outcomes Evaluation and participant survey. However, the best exhibit that I can share is the grouping of photos. This is what it is all about. The smiles on their faces, a morning of exercise, fun and success! YES! ANYONE CAN DO A 5K!