Home » UK hosts LiveWell 5K to benefit charities

UK hosts LiveWell 5K to benefit charities

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 18, 2016)  University of Kentucky students, faculty and staff, along with family and friends, are invited to the LiveWell 5K run/walk beginning 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23, on the Legacy Trail at Coldstream Park.

livewell_5k.jpgAs part of the university’s LiveWell initiative to strengthen a campus culture of health, the LiveWell 5K, hosted by UK Health and Wellness, donates a portion of the proceeds to Big Blue Pantry. This UK Center for Community Outreach program serves UK students experiencing food insecurity and operates solely on donations.

“For the 10,000-plus employees already participating in our wellness programs, many find this open to the public 5K event a fun way to loop in their friends and family to our community while supporting a cause important to our students’ nutritional health,” said UK Health and Wellness Manager Jody Ensman.

All participants will receive a free LiveWell 5K dri-fit shirt. Additional prizes will be awarded for top finishers overall and in age divisions.

Speaking to the competition element of the race, Mario Hughley, a UK wellness specialist who coordinates the LiveWell 5K, says the event’s primary focus is health.

“Our purpose is to support everyone in their efforts toward increasing their personal level of health and well-being. Whether you’re an avid runner or not, the point of this race is to enjoy the release of endorphins. You’ll see a mix of people running, walking and taking breaks — overall, this 5K is about having fun.”

Hughley adds, “Completing the race, which is 3.1 miles or about 6,000 steps on a Fitbit or similar device, inspires a great feeling of accomplishment. Even if you’ve never done a 5K before, this could be your opportunity to try one out and see where that sense of achievement takes you.”

Register for the LiveWell 5K by Friday, April 22, and receive $5 off the $25 entry fee. Participants in the Step Up challenge may receive an additional $5 off to pay an entry fee of only $15 by using a special code emailed recently from UK Health and Wellness. Learn more and register here. For questions about the LiveWell 5K, email [email protected] or call UK Health and Wellness at 859-257-9355.

UK Health and Wellness programs are part of the university’s benefits for employees, retirees and spouses/sponsored dependents. The wide range of services offered include health screenings, fitness membership, weight loss membership, tobacco cessation coaching, and consultations with health specialists. Programs are designed to support participants with their goals to move, eat and be well, and those eligible and interested may sign up using their LiveWell dashboard.