GRAPEVINE -Mayor William D. Tate and the City of Grapevine today kicked-off
the 7th annual Texas Round-Up, and challenged other cities to join their
efforts to make Texas a 'Fitter State'. Tate announced that the City of
Grapevine will accept the 'Governor's Challenge' to be more physically
active and make healthier choices in 2010. Mayors and city representatives
from Dish, Grand Prairie, Keller, Longview, North Richland Hills, Temple,
and Trophy Club joined Tate and pledged to compete for the 'Governor's Cup
Award' and the title "Fittest City in Texas" to be given at the Texas
Round-Up 10K-5K-Family Mile, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Texas, on April 24, 2010 in Austin. Also in attendance was Michelle
Aguilar, Biggest Loser winner and Fort Worth native. Aguilar gave her
support of the cities' efforts and spoke about the struggles of obesity.
"With so many of our children, families and friends suffering from obesity,
it's time for all the cities and towns across Texas to support each other in
putting our health first," says Mayor Tate. "With a free and accessible
program like Texas Round-Up, and the annual Governor's Challenge, we have an
opportunity to motivate friends, family, and even ourselves, to get active,"
Tate says.
Each year, beginning on January 1st, Texas Round-Up issues the annual
Governor's Challenge, encouraging Texans to make regular physical activity a
part of their weekly schedule. Adults are challenged to be active for 150
minutes per week and children under 18 are challenged to complete a minimum
of 300 minutes of physical activity per week, for six weeks. On April 24,
2010 Gov. Rick Perry and Texas Round-Up will issue the Governor's Awards to
cities, state agencies, corporations, schools, social organizations,
municipalities and families that have the highest participation per capita
in their respective Governor's Challenge categories.
"We are pleased to be the 'Presenting' Sponsor of the 2010 Texas Roundup
10K-5K & Family Mile," says Darren Rodgers, president, Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of Texas (BCBSTX). "Blue Cross has been a supporter since the
inception of this initiative and we are eager to expand our partnership with
Texas Round-Up by joining their efforts to challenge Texas families to
participate in regular physical activity and healthier lifestyles."
"Since 2004, more than 87,000 Texans have participated in Texas Round-Up and
together, they have logged more than 377 million minutes of physical
activity," says Texas Round-Up Executive Director Meredith Garcia. The
January kick-off gives Texans a chance to participate in the Governor's
Challenge, by signing up for Texas Round-Up's free online training program,
GetFitTexas, where they can track their exercise progress.
Arlington resident, Betty Davis was named Texas Round-Up's 'Fit Texan' in
2007 after successfully shedding more than one hundred pounds. With a top
weight of 300 pounds and confined to a scooter, Davis struggled for years to
lose weight and regain her livelihood. Today, four years later, Davis is
still fit, weighing half her original size, and doing better than ever.
"With so many cities supporting our efforts, we hope to find 'Fit Texans'
from towns across the state who have changed their lives," Garcia says.
This year, 34 Texas Round-Up cities are leading efforts to make Texas the
fittest state in the nation. These cities include Austin, Bay City, Bevil
Oaks, Brenham, College Station, Denton, Dish, Dumas, El Paso, Euless,
Georgetown, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Houston, Leon Valley, Longview,
Midland, Murphy, Nacogdoches, North Richland Hills, Northlake, Onalaska,
Palestine, Pilot Point, Port Aransas, Roanoke, Round Rock, Slaton, South
Padre Island, Sugar Land, Temple, Trophy Club, Universal City and Watauga.
Several cities will hold fitness events in their local communities.
On Saturday, April 24th, the Texas Round-Up and Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Texas will host the 7th annual Texas Round-Up 10K-5K-Family Mile. This
event includes 10K and 5K competitive races, as well as a Family Mile course
for children and adults not quite ready for a 5K. Participants and families
will enjoy a fitness festival at the finish line. The festival encourages
children and families to make fitness and nutrition a priority in their
lives and features a FitKids FunZone with interactive demonstrations and
activities for children, as well as giveaways and healthy program
information for adults. The winners of the First Lady's T-shirt Design
Competition and the Fit Texan Challenge, will also be announced.
In 2004, Gov. Rick Perry launched the Texas Round-Up statewide fitness
initiative and 10K race to motivate and encourage Texans to become more
active and to incorporate healthy choices in their daily lives. Today, Texas
Round-Up is an independent nonprofit organization working to improve the
health of Texas through education and promotion of physical activity and
healthy living.
For more information about Texas Round-Up and its programs, please visit
www.texasroundup.org.
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