State of Illinois and Health Alliance keep a focus on fitness with third virtual 5k/10k Challenge

For Immediate Release – July 22, 2022

CHICAGO – The State of Illinois and Health Alliance today announced the third annual ‘Fall into Fitness’ Virtual 5k/10k Challenge for State wellness plan members. The event is scheduled for September 18-25, 2022. It is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS), Health Alliance, and Be Well Illinois, the State’s comprehensive plan to support the wellness needs of its workforce.

“Prioritizing health and wellness is fundamental to our operations,” said CMS Acting Director Anthony Pascente. “CMS is proud to partner with Health Alliance on our shared commitment to improving the physical and mental wellbeing of residents, employees, and retirees of the State of Illinois, and offering a virtual option for this event is one way we can reach communities throughout the State.”

The free virtual walk/run is open to all State of Illinois employees, retirees, and covered dependents, and allows participants to move at their own pace and choose a date and time within the week to complete the challenge. Participants walk or run a 5K or 10K and track and share their distance and time using the technology of their choice.

Registration is open and runs through Saturday, September 17, 2022 at: https://bit.ly/FallintoFitness22

“The pandemic has changed how we exercise, so providing options that help people maintain their health and wellness are important,” Alison Jones, registered dietitian and Health Alliance health and wellness coordinator explained. “There are numerous physical and mental health benefits that exercise provides– improved energy, reduced stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, weight management — all outcomes that are important.”

Health Alliance and Be Well Illinois will again offer on-demand digital tools to support challenge participants as they prepare for the event including resources for stretching, nutrition, training, and hydration.

“Health Alliance is all about encouraging our members and our communities to live their healthiest life. We strive to help people stay on track by providing opportunities and tools that encourage and support healthy choices,” Sinead Rice Madigan, Health Alliance chief operating officer said. “Investing in your health doesn’t have to require major changes, every small step makes a difference.”

All finishers will receive a Fall into Fitness sponsor t-shirt, certificate of completion, and a pin to proudly display on their employee badge. Participants are encouraged to engage online on the Be Well Illinois Facebook event page and share their photos, signs, words of encouragement and celebrate their accomplishments on race day. Those who help inspire their colleagues by sharing a photo of themselves training for the event will earn a chance to win a $200 voucher toward fitness gear.

Health Alliance provides insurance coverage to State employees and retirees that includes resources to help them prepare for their race day. This includes, among other offerings:

A four-part video series about how to prepare to do a 5K or 10K (stretching, hydration, training and nutrition).
Health and wellness blog highlighting the importance of physical activity.
Regular reminders with recipes, insight and more on social media.
Hally™ health, a suite of wellness offerings and personalized health tools for members and the general public. Available online at HallyHealth.com or download the Hally app on your mobile device.

Find these training resources at the new Hally health webpage.