May 4, 2009, Gallipolis - On May 2, 2009 over 250 participants came out for the 1st Annual Holzer Heart Run & Walk. Holzer Cardiovascular Institute, a combined effort of Holzer Clinic and Holzer Medical Center, sponsored this event in order to raise awareness about heart health and to honor the survivors within the community.

The events of the day included a Kids Fun Run, 5k Run/Walk, and a 10k Run. The course began at Holzer’s Sycamore branch on the corner of Sycamore and Fourth Avenue in Gallipolis, Ohio. Participants made their way around the beautiful grounds of the Gallipolis Developmental Center, and crossed the finish line back at the Sycamore branch.

Charles Whittington was the top male runner in the 5K event with a time of 18:07. For the female 5K runners Alex Ellis crossed the finish line in 21:59. The 10K winners were Nathan Miller with a time of 38:11 and Leslie Hanshaw at 45:00. Complete results from Saturday are posted on www.tristateracer.com as well as www.active.com.

We would like to give a big thank you to AT&T, Bennigans, Bob Evans, Candles N’Things, Courtside Restaurant, H&R Block, Holzer Clinic Fitness Center, Holzer Cardiovascular Institute, Holzer Medical Center, McClures Restaurant, Merry Family Winery, Parkfront Diner, Purple Turtle, Pizza Hut, Rio Grande Bookstore, Rio Styles Hair, Nails & Tanning Salon, Shake Shoppe, Smith Superstore, and Thomas Do It Center for donating door prizes. We would also like to thank Paint Plus for donating paint, Gallipolis Developmental Center for donating their grounds, and all of the volunteers who helped make Holzer’s Heart Run possible!

The biggest thank you goes out to everyone who participated and made Holzer’s Heart Run such a great success in just the first year! We are already looking forward to making this a bigger and better event annually. The event raised approximately $3,400 that will be donated to the local chapter of The American Red Cross who performs monthly blood drives, provides free CPR training for the community, assists in local disaster relief, as well as other services in Gallia County. Matt Johnson, Director of Holzer Cardiovascular Institute, gave the following statement, “I was extremely impressed and proud of the turnout, support and overall effort put into what I hope will become an annual event. There were run/walk events in several neighboring communities and to have this kind of support for a “first time” event was indeed impressive.”

Holzer Clinic… Medical Excellence, Local Caring.

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Krista Smith/Heather Clifford
(740) 446-5828