Third UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS Henderson Fun Run Motivates Local Youth to Lead Active, Healthy Lifestyles

• IRONKIDS course for physically challenged children offered for the first time in Nevada

HENDERSON, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nearly 130 young athletes participated in the third UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS® Henderson Fun Run today at the Henderson Pavilion. UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound kicked off the fun run, joined by Nevada Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson, and Alice Ferreira, vice president of UnitedHealthcare Community & State.

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Athletes, ages 3-15, had the opportunity to run along portions of the IRONMAN® 70.3® Silverman triathlon course, which begins tomorrow. For the first time in Nevada, IRONKIDS offered a 1-mile track for physically challenged youth.

UnitedHealthcare provided free admissions to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada to encourage participation. Yesterday, IRONMAN pro-athlete Drew Scott, winner of the 2014 IRONMAN 70.3 Silverman, led a training at the Reynolds Clubhouse in preparation for Saturday’s fun run.

“The IRONKIDS fun runs give our community the opportunity to have fun together, and begin their day being active and healthy. Walking and running are exercises everyone can do to maintain a healthful lifestyle,” said Don Giancursio, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Nevada. “UnitedHealthcare is grateful for the opportunity to partner with IRONMAN to help children in our community live healthier lives.”

This is the fourth year UnitedHealthcare is supporting IRONKIDS as part of the company’s commitment to help stem the rising tide of childhood obesity through healthy lifestyles. The UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS 2015 Series features nine one-mile fun runs and a dip-and-dash.

Obesity among children and adolescents has almost tripled since 1980, with nearly one in every three children being overweight or obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Helping our youth make healthy decisions begins with adults, who lead by example,” said Sen. Roberson. “Thank you to our partners at UnitedHealthcare and IRONKIDS for encouraging us to begin our morning exercising together as a community.”

Children from low-income and low-education households are three-times more likely to suffer from obesity, which is a leading risk factor for diabetes, heart disease and many cancers, according to America’s Health Rankings®, an annual comprehensive assessment of the nation’s health on a state-by-state basis. Nevada ranks 11th in the country with 26 percent of adults and 11 percent of youth estimated to be obese.

“We are thrilled to have a partner in UnitedHealthcare to sponsor these youth events as part of our IRONMAN series,” said Carola Ross, chief sales officer for IRONMAN. “The opportunity the IRONKIDS fun runs offer young athletes is tremendous, as these races can be the catalyst for a lifetime of exercise and healthy living.”

About IRONKIDS®

After being acquired from the Sara Lee Corporation, which owned the event series since 1985, IRONKIDS® launched in 2009 with nine events in the IRONKIDS® National Triathlon Series. Since the inaugural year, IRONKIDS® has seen more than 60,000 participants and has grown to more than 60 events worldwide including races in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. The brand represents a multi-dimensional approach to creating positive experiences for athletes, families and communities, as well as embodies achievement and determination while fostering self-esteem. The IRONKIDS® mission is to inspire and motivate through the sport to live an active, positive and healthy lifestyle. For more information, visit www.ironkids.com.

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 850,000 physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.

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UnitedHealthcare
Molly McMillen, 952-931-6029
or
IRONKIDS
Mandy Irizarry, 407-341-4362

Source: UnitedHealthcare

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