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 The event coordinated by Memorial SportsCare at Abraham Lincoln
Memorial Hospital was for all ages and fitness levels and its
purpose was to demonstrate that being healthy can be fun.
One purpose of the race is that over 66 percent of Logan County
residents are overweight or obese. "Moving Forward" is an
encouragement for the community to celebrate leading an active
lifestyle.
As the race day neared, posts on Facebook provided encouragement to
participants with motivational quotes such as "No matter how slow
you are at the Moving Forward 5k/10k Run/Walk, you are lapping
everyone on the couch!" Betsy Tanner, who was at the race to support
her son and his family, noted that though she does not run, as she
has added weights to her aerobics, and it has helped her with weight
loss. She exclaimed, "Moving makes a difference."
 Getting people moving was just one goal of the race. Race emcee Todd
Mourning said that the race is about getting people out and
promoting health and wellness. He also said, "If one person benefits
by changing [his or her] lifestyle because of it, we have done our
job."
Mourning explained that recently the course at the park was
certified by the U.S.A. Track and Field organization and since then
runnership at the park has increased exponentially.
The race was a family affair for several families, and produced
healthy competition between family members. Becca Heitzig carried a
sign saying, "Kids, beat your parents." Kid's Dash participant
Gwyneth Tanner, along with her grandmother Betsy Tanner, cheering on
her mother, father, and sister as they finished the 5K, held up a
sign saying "run, run, run, til you're done."
Even the very youngest ones present participated in the race, though
most of them were in strollers pushed by their parents. Angela
Westen quipped that it was the second race for her two month old
daughter, who was "still in her belly" during her previous race.
Westen's daughter Alayna Briggs, who won the kid's dash, also ran
with her in the 5k.
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Mourning explained that proceeds from the race
go to support wellness programs ALMH does in the community, such
as a weight loss program 'Mom's Night Out,' and the Memorial
SportsCare Performance Plus program that helps athletes improve
endurance. He said that in November the hospital will open a
weight loss center and was able to buy a body composition scale
with proceeds from other races.
Others in the community are also trying to encourage
people to works towards becoming healthy and more active. Promoting
a healthy lifestyle ties in with the goals of the Healthy Community
Partnership (HCP), whose vision is to create the healthiest
community in America and to increase healthy behaviors. As part of
their 5-2-1-0 program, the HCP encourages people to do an hour or
more of physical activity each day.
Executive director of the Healthy Communities Partnership, Angela
Stoltzenberg, helped promote the active lifestyle through her
participation in the race.
Those sponsoring the race helped to support the race and encourage
racers to stay competitive, increase stamina, and get moving.
Stay Competitive sponsors were the Dalpoas Family, State Bank of
Lincoln, and Eaton Corporation. Increase Stamina sponsors were
Clinical Radiologists, Prairie Engineers and Illinois American
Water. Get Moving sponsors were Nobbe Eye Care Center, Blue Dog Inn
and First National Bank in Tremont.
[Angela Reiners]
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