Hy-Vee Expands Health Focus with Kids Fit Initiative

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids of all ages and skill levels will have additional opportunities to participate in events making up the new Hy-Vee Kids Fit program. The events will build on the kids triathlon offerings Hy-Vee has held in the past, but will expand to include one-mile fun run and 5K options to support wellness and fight childhood obesity.

A full schedule of events across an eight-state region kicks off at the 2014 Drake Relays with a new, one-mile fun run and a timed 5K race. A total of 19 new road races will be held April - September. The 5K time will qualify kids to run in the championship road race at the 2015 Drake Relays.

The qualifying aspect of the road race is unique said, Bill Burke, owner Premier Event Management and race director for the Hy-Vee Kids Fit events.

"No other running series in the United States offers a kid the opportunity to qualify for a championship event," Burke said. "Hy-Vee Kids Fit opens a new avenue for thousands of kids to get involved, to set personal fitness goals and make the first step toward a lifetime of wellness."

Additional one-mile and 5K road races will be offered in 19 communities, including: Des Moines, Iowa; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Columbia, Mo.; Kansas City, Kan.; Rochester, Minn.; Ames, Iowa; Omaha, Neb.; Madison, WI; Lawrence, Kan.; Sioux City, Iowa; Lincoln, Neb.; Quad Cities, Iowa; Iowa City, Iowa; Cedar Falls, Iowa; Dubuque, Iowa; Spirit Lake, Iowa; Quincy, Ill.; Kirksville, Mo.; and Maryville, Mo.

As a part of this new initiative, Hy-Vee will rename the program Hy-Vee Kids Fit, no longer partnering with IronKids, allowing the organization to expand its fitness offerings and increase participation from all skill levels. Participants and parents can expect the same level of competition and high-quality event management at these exciting and fun events.

Six regional kids' triathlons will be held in the following cities this summer: Des Moines, Iowa; Omaha, Neb.; Quad Cities, Iowa/Ill.; Kansas City, Kan./Mo.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Sioux Falls, S.D.; and the Championship Triathlon will be held at Gray's Lake in Des Moines on August 30, 2014.

Hy-Vee's goal in creating this fun, accessible and fitness-friendly initiative is to help fight childhood obesity one community at a time, getting children and families active and outdoors. Whether a child is new to exercise or is training for the triathlon, Hy-Vee Kids Fit has an event for every skill level.

Darin Hirl, the event director for Hy-Vee, said the company is committed long-term to partnering with communities and families to support health and wellness.

"We are proud of the tradition we have started and we are excited to take it to the next level," Hirl said. "By adding new events, Hy-Vee can help make a difference to empower kids to move more and reach their potential."

Registration prices, age ranges and specific dates can be found on our website, www.hy-veekidsfit.com.

Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating 234 retail stores in eight Midwestern states. For 2013 the company recorded sales of $8 billion, ranking it among the top 25 supermarket chains and the top 50 private companies in the United States. To learn more, visit the company's website at www.hy-vee.com.

Contact: Chris Friesleben – Assistant VP, Communications
Phone: (515) 267-2941 – Mobile: (515) 250-3929 – E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Hy-Vee, Inc.