Categorized | Multi-sport, Sports

Keiki Dip-n-Dash (Oct. 7)

MEDIA RELEASE

UnitedHealthcare Ironkids Keiki Dip-n-Dash gives local youth fun, healthy opportunity

• Tuesday, Oct. 7 event brings together hundreds of youths for fun, Ironkids Dip-n-Dash

• UnitedHealthcare and Ironkids to provide free registrations and special training to Kamaaina Kids youth

• UnitedHealthcare to donate $3,000 to Kamaaina Kids to support ongoing youth health programs

WHAT:

UnitedHealthcare is teaming up with Ironkids to sponsor the UnitedHealthcare Ironkids Keiki Dip-n-Dash where local children ages 5 to 15 will have an opportunity to become “Ironkids” and compete on the same course as world-class athletes participating in the upcoming 2014 Ironman World Championship.

The age-appropriate fun, energetic swim and run for “triathletes to be” aims to help stem the rising tide of childhood obesity through exercise and healthy lifestyles.

UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound, along with Ironman athletes and community supporters, will kick off the race as hundreds of kids compete in their quest to become Ironkids.

UnitedHealthcare and Ironkids are teaming up with Kamaaina Kids, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to serving children and their families, to provide free registrations for youth from that program to participate.

A special training session and rally for Kamaaina Kids participating in the Dip-n-Dash will take place on Monday afternoon before the big race, where kids will learn about the importance of exercise and healthy eating in their daily lives, and train with Ironman athletes and UnitedHealthcare’s mascot Dr. Health E. Hound.

UnitedHealthcare will also make a $3,000 donation to Kamaaina Kids to support its ongoing youth health programs.

WHO:

* Hundreds of kids ages 5 to 15 expected to participate in the Dip-n-Dash

* Kamaaina Kids youth and leaders from the organization

* UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound and UnitedHealthcare employees

* Ironkids/Ironman athletes and representatives including Cherie Gruenfeld, 11-time age group Ironman World Champion

* Community leaders, families and supporters cheering on the kids, including; Barbara Dalton, Governor’s Representative, West Hawaii; Rep. Cindy Evans; Rep. Nicole Lowen and Council member Karen Eoff.

WHEN/WHERE:

* Monday, Oct. 6, 1-3 p.m.

Rally and training event for more than 100 local youth from Kamaaina Kids participating in the Dip-n-Dash. UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound will join Ironman athletes to lead local youth in exercises, games and healthy activities in preparation for the Dip-n-Dash the next day.

Kahakai Elementary School Cafeteria
76-147 Royal Poinciana Drive, Kailua-Kona

* Tuesday, Oct. 7, 3-5 p.m.

UnitedHealthcare Ironkids Keiki Dip-n-Dash
Kailua Pier
75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona

3 p.m. Registration and pre-event activities begin
3:45 p.m. Kick off program; warm-up exercises with athletes and Dr. Health E. Hound; check presentation to Kamaaina Kids
4 p.m. Start of Dip-n-Dash with kids receiving medals at finish line
5 p.m. Ironkids help lead the Ironman Parade of Nations

WHY:

* Childhood obesity is a national health crisis with devastating consequences

* Childhood obesity has tripled since 1980 with nearly one in every three children being overweight or obese. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

* Obesity now contributes to the death of more than 360,000 Americans a year, and today’s children may have a shorter life span than that of their parents.

* UnitedHealthcare and Ironkids are partnering to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and how it helps diminish childhood obesity.

— Find out more:
www.ironkids.com
www.uhc.com

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