Thousands expected for 33rd Annual Walk for the Health of It

Apr. 25—The Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation is inviting the community to get fit, meet new people and have fun during one of its biggest events of the year on May 11.

As many as 1,400 people are expected to attend the foundation's 33rd Annual Walk for the Health of It that day, starting at 8 a.m. at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial's south parking lot at 975 S. Fairmont Ave.

The event includes two different 5K runs and two 1-mile treks, along with activities for youngsters and a health fair.

"What's great about this is that it's an all-ages, all-community event," foundation events director Carolyn Hoff said. "We track people from strollers to wheelchairs, and that's what makes this so special."

Hoff said this year's run will not be much different from events of years past.

Before hitting the streets, participants will warm up with a Jazzercise workout at 8:25 a.m., followed by the 1-mile Kids' Fun Run at 8:45 a.m.. Hoff said Joe Serna Charter School typically has 60 of its students taking part in the run.

Along with the regular 5K run, Lodians can participate in a 5K Fitness and Poker Walk, all of which begin at 9:15 a.m.

The regular and Fitness 5Ks are self-timed runs, with scooters and pets allowed to take part in the latter.

The Poker Run is not a race, but a game of chance open to all participants.

Those participating in the Poker Run will stop at three stations along the 5K course to receive a five-card poker hand. Upon returning to the south parking lot at the end of their run, participants will go to the Poker Tent to receive a first, second and third place prize.

The one-mile Walk and Roll at 9:25 a.m. is a non-competitive run open to everyone, including those pushing wheelchairs and strollers, as well as those with special needs.

"We always love having our senior care facilities coming out for the Walk and Roll and being pushed around in their wheelchairs by the Tokay High School football team," Hoff said. "It's always fun and (the seniors) really look forward to that."

The Hanot Foundation, a residential service provider for special needs adults, will be returning to the event after a short absence, Hoff said.

The 5K will begin at the corner or Cardinal Street and Ham Lane, and runners will make their way east to Avena Avenue, heading south and then east on Tamarack Drive.

Runners will then head north on Crescent Avenue, stopping at the Lodi Avenue intersection to allow traffic to continue through its green light cycle.

Once runners get the green light again, they'll turn right onto Oak Street, left onto California Street, and then left onto Pine Street.

The course then turns left onto Sunset Avenue, then right onto Oak Street and left onto Walnut Avenue before runners head south on Crescent Avenue once again.

Finally, runners will turn right on York Street and left on Fairmont Avenue to return to the hospital finish line.

Following the run, participants can receive free screenings and check-ups at the free health fair in the parking lot.

Snacks, face painting and a photo booth will also be available.

Animal Friends Connection will also bring pets to the event that attendees can adopt.

Registration is $25 for adults, $10 for youngsters, and $55 for a family.

The first 1,200 to register by May 11 will receive a free Walk for the Health of It T-shirt.

You can register at House of Coffees, 239 Lakewood Mall; PT Solutions of Lodi, 800 South Lower Sacramento Road, and the Lodi Memorial Foundation Office, 845 S. Fairmont St., Suite 3.

All proceeds from the event will be used to purchase a Breast Imaging Speciman Radiography System, which provides staff with precise image quality on the edge of the breast tissue specimans in the operating room; and a Pristina Dueta, which will give patients the ability to control the breast compression they experience during a mammogram.

The walk has raised more than $1.5 million for the hospital in previous years to support amenities such as a state-of-the-art cancer detection and treatment center, as well as a level II NICU.

To register, or for more information, visit www.lmhfoundation.org/walk.html.