Each year, Partners Aligned Toward Health organizes the Burnsville Fit Families (BFF) 5K with the goal of uniting our community through healthy activity. The 12th Annual Burnsville Fit Families 5K held on Saturday, April 22nd was a great success! Despite the rainy weather, the turnout this year exceeded the organizer’s expectations with 185 runners and walkers crossing the finish line.
Developing healthy habits at a young age is a great way to make them stick. That’s why youth under the age of 18 run for free and 80 kids were able to participate this year! Thank you to the generous donors participating in PATH’s “Sponsor a Runner” campaign. These community donations helped ensure all youth could participate at no cost.
The race would not have been a success without the many sponsors who provided financial and in-kind support, and the volunteers and partners who came together to manage logistics. In particular, PATH would like to thank the title sponsor,
Mountain Community Health Partnership, who has been a valuable partner and consistent supporter of community health initiatives in their service area. The Burnsville Police Department, Burnsville Fire Department, Yancey Emergency Services, Yancey Sheriff’s Department, Yancey Rescue Squad, and many volunteer Course Marshals helped to keep runners safe on the race course. First Baptist Church of Burnsville graciously provided access to their Fellowship Hall and the Town of Burnsville and Yancey County Government allowed PATH to take over the Town Square! Appalachian Family Dentistry and some great volunteers made healthy and delicious smoothies as a post-race treat. Several groups of volunteers, including Parkway Playhouse, Mountain Heritage High School Interact Club, Red Cross, and the Cougar Fit Club staffed water stations to keep the runners hydrated. And finally, thank you to all of the community members who came out to cheer the runners on!
Congratulations to the following top finishers: Tal Galton of Burnsville (Top Overall Male Finisher), Sallie Senseney of Burnsville (Top Overall Female Finisher), and Amelia Anglin of Burnsville (First Stroller Across the Finish Line)! Monkey Business Toy Shop/Something Special Gift Shop and Jus’ Running generously donated prizes. Each person who tackled the course is a winner in PATH’s eyes!
Another addition to this year’s race event included the next in a continuing series of community clinics, under PATH’s Home Remedies Program, which is designed to offer alternative ways to manage pain and stress. The clinic was held under a heated tent and was staffed by generous local practitioners from Mountain Community Healing Arts, Ironwood Massage Arts, Mars Hill Chiropractic, and Mountain Mobile Acupuncture. Tai Chi sessions were offered by Jennie Boyd-Bull throughout the morning. Over 36 community members signed up for one or more free sessions and enjoyed the opportunity to explore options for sustainable self-care, sample the services, watch the practitioners in action, and actively engage in self-care for continuing health and wellness.
To learn more, support Partners Aligned Towards Health’s work, or get involved as a volunteer, contact PATH staff at (828) 682-7899, info@pathwnc.org, or visit www.pathwnc.org. To learn more about the Home Remedies Program and events, visit www.path-homeremedies.org or contact Jacquie López, at jacquie@pathwnc.org.
