Harlingen – Are you looking for a way to improve your overall health? Relieve stress?
Reduce your excess body fat? Boost your muscle power and stamina? There
is a simple way you can accomplish all this and more, walking! And, Harlingen
Medical Center (HMC) wants you to jump into the summer months by improving
your health and helping local students achieve a higher level of education
by participating in the 2nd Annual HMC and Texas State Technical College (TSTC) Community Health Walk/Run
5k/1M, scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 7:00 a.m. on the TSTC Campus.
"The HMC and TSTC Community Health Walk/Run is a great opportunity
for a family, a group of friends, or a group of co-workers to get together
and walk to better health," said Manny Chacon, MPPM, Director of
Marketing and Business Development at Harlingen Medical Center. "There
are many who are being told by their family physician to exercise to improve
their health. Some cannot handle the physical stress on their body of
an exercise regime, but, walking is a low-impact exercise that can really
do good for the body when done consistently. And, we are offering that
opportunity to our community while raising funds for scholarships."
According to fitness experts, walking is the only exercise that can be
performed by anyone, who is physically capable, at no cost and does not
require any special equipment or training. It doesn't even have to
be done in long periods of time or be vigorous in order to improve your
health. A 2007 study indicates that walking a minimum of 75 minutes per
week may improve a person's fitness level when compared to a non-exercising
individual.
Walking for fitness does not have to be performed on your own. Harlingen
Medical Center is hosting this community-wide event to unite people in
the name of health and wellness, and education advancement. Fitness experts
agree that walking has many benefits, which include:
- Increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness
- Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
- Improved management of conditions, which include hypertension (high blood
pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and
Type 2 Diabetes
- Stronger bones and improved endurance
- Reduced body fat
"The HMC and TSTC Community Health Walk/Run is designed to promote
physical activity for good health in our community, but, also to support
local students looking to pursue a higher level of education, here, at
Texas State Technical College," said Chacon. "This community
walk-run is also aimed at raising funds for scholarships that will be
awarded to students who attend Texas State Technical College."
The walk-run is in its second year of existence and organizers want the
community to participate to help students realize their academic dreams
and in-turn achieve higher levels of success professionally.
"Education prepares the leaders of tomorrow. It arms them with the
knowledge and skill to take-on and overcome the challenges that will improve
our community and make for a better future for us all," said Chacon.
"So, we are respectfully requesting our community members to come
join us for this worthy event on June 27th."
Entering the Harlingen Medical Center and Texas State Technical College
Community Health Walk/Run 5k/1M, as a participant, is as simple as completing
the on-line registration form available at the award-winning and nationally
recognized hospital's website at
www.harlingenmedicalcenter.com. On the home-page simply scroll down and you will see the icon for the
event. Click on it and it will direct you to the registration form. You
may also register, as a participant, by requesting a hardcopy registration form atmchacon@primehealthcare.com. There is a fee to walk and run. Children under the age of 13 will pay
$15.00. Those 14 years of age and older will pay $25.00. Local businesses
are also encouraged to enter corporate teams of four. All registered participants
will receive free T-Shirts at the event.
If you wish to support the scholarship fundraiser by way of a sponsorship
– there are several levels to consider. They range from a platinum
level to a gold, silver and supporting sponsor. They vary in financial
levels, but, all donations are welcome and will solely benefit TSTC student
scholarships at the state college, here, in Harlingen.
The HMC and TSTC Community Health Walk/Run is both a competitive 5k run
and a 1-Mile fun walk. Prizes will be awarded to the top three candidates
that complete the 5k competitive run. The event will also feature complimentary
medical screenings, which will include:
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Cholesterol
- And, more
Here is a timeline of the event scheduled for Saturday, June 27th:
- 7:00 a.m. On-site registration
- 7:45 a.m. Warm-up session
- 8:00 a.m. 1-Mile, non-competitive walk starts
- 8:05 a.m. 5k, completive run starts
- 9:30 a.m. Recognition and closing ceremony
The event will also feature face painting for children.
For more information regarding the Harlingen Medical Center and Texas State
Technical College Community Health Walk/Run 5k/1M, please contact the
Marketing Department at Harlingen Medical Center at (956) 365-1848 or at
mchacon@primehealthcare.com.