The Alcorn family and community enjoy “Racing for Obesity Awareness”
The Alcorn family and community enjoy “Racing for Obesity Awareness”
Some 150 runners and walkers braved the heat on August 31, participating in Alcorn’s inaugural Brave Hearts 5K Run/Walk/1Mile Fun Run and Health Fair on the Lorman campus.“Racing for Obesity Awareness” was the theme of the event that brought attention to obesity as a disease and its disproportionate affect on Mississippians, and promoted healthy lifestyle. The event also served as a fundraiser for the Alcorn State University track and field program.
The program began with an opening ceremony and an energetic and fun Zumba warm-up. The race, walk, and one-mile fun run for the event’s youngest participants followed. The 5K race participants who placed first, second and third in their respective age categories, were awarded coveted medals.
“It feels really good to win, but for me, the races aren’t about medals,” said a Meridian resident Margaret Little ’65 who placed in her age category. “They are about having fun, exercising to stay healthy, and a sense of completion.”
Alcorn’s track hero and 1968 Olympic gold medalist Mrs. Mildrette Netter White ’72, who was on hand at the event to inspire the participants said, “We are grateful to be invited to this wonderful event and commend Alcorn for caring about Mississippi residents’ health and taking on this initiative.” She added, “It is so good to be at my alma mater, where it all started for me 45 years ago. There is no place like home.” Netter White was presented with an award in recognition of her contribution to Alcorn.
Addressing students and community members, former Alcorn student and Armed Forces national and international track champion Mr. Willie White stated, “Take your natural talent and work to perfect it to the fullest so it benefits you and others. To achieve success, you have to be energetic and healthy. Alcorn will help you to take on a habit of exercising daily and eating right.”
Natchez residents Mark Richardson and Gabriel Bass came to the Lorman campus for the first time, “We came to participate in the race because we enjoy running and being outside. We are not high level runners, we are here to have fun. We also loved the beautiful campus!”
Genuina Dalberto and Thomaz Junqueira, exchange students from Brazil, were excited to be a part of the event as well, “We just arrived here a week ago and the race is a wonderful opportunity to see the campus, meet new people and learn about the American way of life.”
After the race, the participants had a chance to receive free health services and valuable information at the health fair sponsored by the University’s Health and Disability Services. “We got our blood glucose and blood pressure checked, enjoyed relaxing upper body massage and received some good information from ASU Extension representatives about healthy eating habits,” shared Kaelon Walker, MBA student at Alcorn.
As a bonus, all runners/walkers received one entry voucher to the Alcorn State vs. Edward Waters football game that concluded the fun day with the Braves’ solid win!
For more information, please contact Coach Garry Lewis at 601.877.6503 or [email protected] , or Jeremy Mason at 601.877.6114 or [email protected] .
Participants finishing the race
Olympic gold medalist Mildrette Netter White ’72
