Virtual race to be held in September for state employees, retirees

Jul. 13—CHICAGO — The State of Illinois and Health Alliance announced the annual Fall into Fitness Virtual 5K/10K Challenge for State wellness plan members.

Held Sept. 15 through Sept. 25, the event offers a guided experience for individuals to make fitness goals, win prizes and engage with other wellness plan members. It is sponsored by the Health Alliance, Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS), and Be Well Illinois, the State's comprehensive plan to support the wellness needs of its workforce.

"We're striving to give our members and their families the tools to live their best lives," said CMS Acting Director Raven A. DeVaughn. "The successful Fall into Fitness Virtual 5K/10K and partnership with Health Alliance is key to our wellness strategy. With the right education, skills, motivation and social support, we aim to help our members adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles that lead to lower health risks and a better quality of life."

The free virtual event is open to all State of Illinois employees, retirees and covered dependents. It allows participants to move at their own pace and choose a date and time within the two weeks to complete the challenge. Technology fueled fitness tools help participants track their steps and time and toggle between a step challenge and a timed run/walk.

Registration is open now and runs through Monday, Sept. 25 at the Fall into Fitness Virtual 5K/10K Challenge Facebook page.

"Staying physically active has a positive impact on all aspects of your life," said Alison Jones, health and wellness coordinator. "Not only does maintaining a consistently active lifestyle allow for better weight management, it is critical to strengthening bones, reducing the risk of chronic disease and improving brain health.

"This fitness framework for participants makes it easier to choose to take a more active lifestyle. And many studies have proven the benefits of setting physical goals with a group."

Health Alliance and Be Well Illinois will again offer on-demand digital tools to support challenge participants as they prepare for the event, including resources for stretching, nutrition, training and hydration.

"We're thrilled to celebrate our fourth year partnering with the State to help more community members find ways to lead healthier lives through the Fall into Fitness Challenge," Sinead Rice Madigan, Health Alliance chief executive officer said. "At Health Alliance, we've seen how investing in yourself and your health can grow into long-term wellness improvements. This event sees participants of every age and ability from across the state finding connection and seeing an impact no matter if they run, jog or walk."

All finishers will receive a Fall into Fitness sponsor T-shirt and a pin to proudly display on their employee badge, and they can download and print their personalized certificate of completion. Participants are encouraged to engage online on the Be Well Illinois Facebook event page and share their photos, signs, words of encouragement and celebrations of their accomplishments on race day. Those who help inspire their colleagues by sharing a photo of themselves training for the event and entering your results will earn a chance to win a $150 voucher to Hoka.com.

Health Alliance helps provide tools and information to help participants prepare for race day. As the insurance coverage provider for State employees and retirees, Health Alliance is committed to supporting all plan members toward improving their wellbeing. This event is also sponsored in part by Aetna, HealthLink, Delta Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Topics include, among other offerings:

—A four-part video series about how to prepare to do a 5K or 10K step challenge or race (stretching, hydration, training and nutrition).

—Health and wellness blog highlighting the importance of physical activity.

—Regular reminders with recipes, insight and more on social media.

—Hally® health, a suite of wellness offerings and personalized health tools for members and the general public. Members get secure, instant access to their coverage by logging in to their Hally account through the MyChart app or on hally.com. They can manage their health plan and get the care they need anytime, anywhere.