Road race set to celebrate Worcester’s Canal District

Worcester, Mass., August 13, 2007―Lt. Governor Timothy Murray joined Fallon Community Health Plan President and CEO Eric H. Schultz, Worcester City Manager Michael O’Brien and Worcester’s Channel 3 Sports Director Kevin Shea, today to announce a road race that will celebrate Worcester’s Canal District.

The road race, Fallon Community Health Plan’s Canal Diggers 5Km, is open to all runners, joggers and walkers, and is scheduled for Sunday, September 16 at 11 a.m., with the start and finish line located at the Ancient Order of Hibernians, 19 Temple St., Worcester. The road race name highlights the great contributions that early Irish immigrants made toward the creation of the Blackstone Canal.

“Hundreds of runners and walkers from across the state are being invited to be a part of this race. I believe the energy and atmosphere of the race will make it an annual event for families and runners in our region,” said Schultz. “If individuals liked the Fallon 5, which we sponsored for more than 20 years, I believe they will thoroughly enjoy this event.”

“I’m excited about the road race because it has one foot in the past and on foot in the future. The name recognizes the tremendous contributions of Irish immigrants in Worcester more than 100 years ago, and the road race celebrates the emerging energy and excitement of the Canal District,” said Lt. Gov. Murray. “I look forward to being in the pack of runners on September 16.”

“The road race route passes some of Worcester’s most famous landmarks, and will truly celebrate the culture and history of this unique neighborhood,” said O’Brien. “I’ve been training every day to make sure I can keep up with the Lt. Governor during the race.”

To register or for more information, visit www.baevents.com.

Lauren M. DiBenedetto
lauren.dibenedetto@fchp.org

About FCHP
Founded in 1977, Fallon Community Health Plan provides health care services designed to meet the unique and changing needs of all we serve. FCHP is the only health plan in Massachusetts that is both an insurer and provider of care. Our insurance and self-insurance product portfolio includes a variety of group and non-group health plan options (HMO, POS, PPO, as well as Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans) featuring flexible and innovative benefit designs. Our uniquely developed provider networks offer high-quality, cost-effective, coordinated care and give our members access to physicians and hospitals throughout Massachusetts. We also offer a broad spectrum of health and wellness services and programs to ensure our members, at every stage of life, remain as healthy and productive as possible. As a provider of care, FCHP operates an advanced and completely integrated program that offers seniors and their caregivers an alternative to nursing home care. Our continued commitment to deliver high-quality health care and exceptional customer service has earned FCHP consistent ratings as one of the nation's top health plans. Both our commercial HMO and Medicare Advantage plans have been awarded "Excellent" accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.