What’s new at America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk

2017 AGHRW event LogoAmerica’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk is truly a great event, for many reasons. You – the walkers, runners, and community members – are the biggest. You have made this an incredible community event, and we hope you’ll join us again this year on Friday, March 3rd and Saturday, March 4th at Utica College. When you do, you’ll see a few changes this time around.

 

The Healthy For Good Expo, sponsored by Planet Fitness, will once again offer participants the change to register for the Heart Run & Walk, check out local businesses, and learn important health information. New this year, parking will be easier and more efficient. Expo visitors will no longer be parking at Greater Grace Church or Lady of the Rosary Church with long shuttle wait times. Parking will be available at 125 Business Park Drive in Utica and at the Ramada Inn in New Hartford. These locations are more efficient for the free shuttle buses, which will run throughout the new Expo hours of 9am-7pm.

 

At the Expo, dozens of local companies will host interactive exhibits focused on heart health and healthy lifestyles. You can get health screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and more, provided by MVHS. Getting checked is the first step to Knowing Your Numbers, which can help you in the fight against heart disease and stroke. The WIBX Heart Radiothon, sponsored by Slocum-Dickson Medical Group, P.L.L.C., will be broadcast live from the gym throughout the day. The WKTV Heart Telethon , sponsored by UFCW Local One, will be held from noon-8pm on NewsChannel 2 and CBS Utica. Both the Radiothon and Telethon will be back on Saturday as well.

 

The Expo is ending a little early this year – at 7pm – to make way for a new event. The Kids Heart Challenge, sponsored by AmeriCU Credit Union, is a brand-new ½ mile obstacle course (no water or mud) for kids ages 5-12. The Challenge will be held just down the road at Valley Gymnastics. Parents can register their kids for the Challenge throughout the Expo, or starting at 6:30pm at Valley Gymnastics. The Challenge will start at 7pm. Every child who participates will receive a bandana and a finisher medal.

 

Then, it’s on to the main event. Runners will see a change on Saturday morning for the Heart Run & Walk. The three-and-five-mile routes will be starting at Utica College. There’s no need to catch a bus from the gym to the Start Line! Both runs will start at 9:20am. The routes will separate at Fairway and people will be there to direct runners. The Have a Heart Half Marathon is back for its second year. That race will start at 8am at Holland Patent once again. The 30K will start in Barneveld at 7:30am. And of course, the popular three-and-five-mile walks will begin with opening ceremonies at Utica College at 10:30am.

 

YOU are what makes this America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk. Because of you, the American Heart Association is making a difference in our community’s health. We can’t wait to see you on March 3rd and 4th!

 

Thank you to our national sponsor Subway and our local sponsors Scalzo, Zogby and Wittig, Inc. Insurance; MetLife & MetLife Foundation; Carbone Auto Group; AmeriCU Credit Union, and Planet Fitness.

4 thoughts on “What’s new at America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk

    • Parking on Saturday has not changed, so you can still park at the mall and get the shuttle bus. Only parking on Friday has changed. -Kristy

    • I can see what you mean. That just means there is no need to catch a bus from the gym to the start line of the 3 and 5 mile runs. Sorry for any confusion! -Kristy

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