IBC Sponsors Blue Cross Broad Street Run For 14th Consecutive Year

PHILADELPHIA, April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- With spring upon us, tens of thousands of runners are eagerly preparing for one of the region's most popular racing events, the 31st annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run, to be held on Sunday, May 2. Independence Blue Cross is sponsoring the 10-miler — which begins at Broad Street and Somerville Avenue and ends inside the Philadelphia Navy Yard — for the 14th consecutive year.

To make the race as safe and enjoyable as possible for runners, the City of Philadelphia will be limiting registration for the first time to 30,000 participants. Since it began in 1980 with 1,500 runners, the race has steadily grown, breaking records last year with more than 27,000 registered participants.  Money raised from pledges and donations benefits the American Cancer Society.

IBC is pleased to announce that as an incentive to its members, it will continue the "10 for 10" program launched two years ago. Under the program, eligible members who finish the race can receive credit for 10 gym visits, good towards the $150 Healthy Lifestyles gym membership reimbursement. Members may sign up for the benefit on the IBC race website at ibx.com/run10 and will automatically receive their credits when they complete the race.

"As a company that is dedicated to helping our members and the community stay healthy and fit, we are pleased to once again be part of our city's signature running event, which brings terrific energy to our entire community," said Joseph A. Frick, IBC president and CEO, who will run the race for the third time. "Physical activity is a cornerstone of good health, enriching and extending life. We applaud the strength and commitment to good health of all the runners, including more than a third who are our members."

IBC is also sponsoring two other public fitness events this year:

• National Walk @ Lunch Day, April 28. Spearheaded by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, this national event encourages employers in cities throughout the United States to hold lunchtime walks for their employees. Regionally, close to 15,000 IBC members are expected to participate this year, including 5,000 people who will participate in a 1.5-mile walk around City Hall.

• American Diabetes Association's Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes, October 2.  This family-and team-friendly 5K walk on West River Drive strives to raise awareness about and money for diabetes, a debilitating chronic illness that affects nearly 24 million adults and children. Last year's Philadelphia walk was the most successful of more than 160 such walks across the nation and attracted 3,000 walkers who raised $560,000.

About the Blue Cross Broad Street Run

The Blue Cross Broad Street Run is managed by the Philadelphia Recreation Department with the cooperation of city agencies and more than 45 volunteer groups. The race is held the first Sunday in May, and the course includes a variety of Philadelphia neighborhoods along Broad Street.  The race raises funds for the American Cancer Society. For more information, visit http://www.broadstreetrun.com/.  

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.2 million people. For more than 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.

SOURCE Independence Blue Cross