Fallon Health Canal Diggers 5K Health and Wellness Event Goes Virtual
Annual Event Reimagined in the Age of COVID-19
Worcester, Mass., August 6, 2020 ― The Canal Diggers Road Race Committee, with presenting sponsor Fallon Health, today announced the 14th running of the Fallon Health Canal Diggers 5K will be held virtually. Worcester’s most popular 5K will also expand the race’s overall focus on health and wellness by inviting non-runners to join this year as well.
“After much deliberation, we made the decision to go virtual for our 2020 race. We feel that this is the most responsible decision during these unusual times, especially given the uncertainty of where COVID-19 numbers may be come September,” said Brendan Moran, co-chair of the Canal Diggers 5K.
Open to competitors of all ages, the week-long event will begin Saturday, September 5 and end Saturday, September 12, and has been reworked in an effort to avoid large gatherings in the interest of public health and safety. Participants can choose to bike, swim, roller skate or join in by completing 30 minutes of exercise—the sky is the limit!
“Fallon Health is proud to help reimagine this year’s Canal Diggers 5K Health and Wellness Event,” said Richard Burke, President and CEO of Fallon Health. “The race has always aligned with our mission, making our communities healthy, by providing a fun and active way for participants to get everyone moving. By opening up the event to include more categories, race organizers have come up with a fun way to ensure we are all doing our part to physically distance and slow the spread of COVID-19.”
“We are thrilled to still be able to provide participants with a fun way to stay fit while staying safe. We value all our supporters and are looking forward to giving back to the community once again this year,” added Tammy Bailey, co-chair of the Canal Diggers 5K.
Registration is now open and is $25. To show appreciation for their work during the pandemic, health care workers and first responders can use the code “ThankYou” for a discount. The first 350 people to register are guaranteed a long sleeve t-shirt. For Fallon Health members, reimbursement may be available for registration fees through Fallon’s It Fits! benefit. It Fits! May or may not be available as a benefit depending upon employer, plan and product. All participants will receive a custom Canal Diggers buff as well as other swag. Awards will be given to top finishers—male and female—in each age category, as well as top team. And new this year, additional categories will be added for those competing in the health and wellness challenge. Detail for those are being finalized now and will be announced in the coming days.
To register, or for more information, visit www.canaldiggers.org. And be sure to follow us on social media: Facebook (Canal Diggers Road Race) and Twitter (@CanalDiggers5K).
Melissa Randall
Corporate Communications Manager, Fallon Health
508-368-9345
About Canal Diggers 5K
The Canal Diggers 5K Road Race is one of Central Massachusetts’ top races, benefiting the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Foundation 501 (c)(3), affectionately known as the Irish Club. The race celebrates the Irish immigrants who dug the Blackstone Canal, connecting Worcester to Providence since the mid 1820’s. Proceeds from the Canal Diggers 5K benefit St. John’s Food Bank, local businesses & cultural activities. For more information, visit canaldiggers.org.
About Fallon Health
Founded in 1977, Fallon Health is a leading health care services organization that supports the diverse and changing needs of those we serve. In addition to offering innovative health insurance solutions and a variety of Medicaid and Medicare products, we excel in creating unique health care programs and services that provide coordinated, integrated care for seniors and individuals with complex health needs. Fallon has consistently ranked among the nation’s top health plans and is accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products.