Road race to celebrate Worcester’s Canal District
Fallon Community Health Plan announces fifth annual Canal Diggers Road Race
Worcester, Mass., August 1, 2011―Fallon Community Health Plan, a not-for-profit health care services organization, today announced the fifth annual Fallon Community Health Plan Canal Diggers 5Km Road Race, taking place on Saturday, September 10, at 11 a.m. In addition to the road race, a one-mile fun run and fitness walk will kick-off at 10:45 a.m. All proceeds from the race will benefit the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Foundation. Prize money will be awarded to the top overall finishers in both gender categories.
The race is open to all runners, joggers, and walkers, with the start and finish line located at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre, 19 Temple St., Worcester. The road race name highlights the great contributions that early Irish immigrants made toward the creation of the Blackstone Canal.
“Fallon Community Health Plan is excited to get the community together for a great cause,” said W. Patrick Hughes, FCHP President and CEO. “We’re looking forward to welcoming hundreds of runners and walkers to our city and to showcasing some of Worcester’s famous landmarks along the race route.”
“Since 2007, the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Foundation has welcomed people of all ages to the Canal Diggers Road Race to celebrate Irish heritage with a traditional Irish BBQ and music, as well as other festivities that are fun for the whole family,” said Paul Foley, Road Race Chairman, Worcester Hibernian Cultural Foundation. “We’re grateful to Fallon Community Health Plan, the Central Mass Striders, and Harpoon Brewery for being our partners in a race that not only celebrates Worcester’s Irish heritage, but benefits the city as a whole.”
This year’s race also coincides with the Blackstone Canalfest, a classic street festival complete with food, music, entertainment, giant raffle, artists, horse & wagon tours, kayak rides, street performers, fun kid’s activities, and more. At the center of this free festival will be a replica segment of the canal. It is 75 feet long and filled with over 4,500 gallons of water, recalling the era when it served as a cargo waterway to the sea.
Sponsors for the Canal Diggers Road Race, in addition to Fallon Community Health Plan, include Harpoon Brewery, Central Mass Striders, Murray, Murray & Richards, PhRMA, Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, WinnCompanies, TACTiCOM, South Coastal Bank Mortgage Center and Consigli Construction. Race times will be tracked by Yankee Timing.
Advance registration (until August 19, 2011) is $30; registration is $35 after that date up until the day of the race. The first 1,000 registrants will receive a free t-shirt. For members of Fallon Community Health Plan, reimbursement may be available for their Canal Diggers Road Race registration fees through FCHP’s It Fits! benefit.
To register or for more information, visit. www.canaldiggers.org.
Christine Cassidy
christine.cassidy@fchp.org
About Fallon Community Health Plan
Founded in 1977, Fallon Community Health Plan is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care services organization. From traditional health insurance products available throughout Massachusetts for all populations, to innovative health care programs and services for seniors, FCHP supports the diverse and changing needs of all those it serves. FCHP has consistently ranked among the nation’s top health plans, and is the only health plan in Massachusetts to have been awarded “Excellent” Accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products.