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UnitedHealthcare Teams Up with IRONKIDS for First Ever Special Needs Course
[November 15, 2014]

UnitedHealthcare Teams Up with IRONKIDS for First Ever Special Needs Course


TEMPE, Ariz. --(Business Wire)--

The second annual UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS Tempe Fun Run raced around Tempe Beach Park today. For the first time, UnitedHealthcare and IRONKIDS offered a dedicated ¼-mile track for kids with special needs.

More than 450 local youth take off for the finish line at this morning's second annual UnitedHealthc ...

More than 450 local youth take off for the finish line at this morning's second annual UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS Tempe Fun Run at Tempe Beach Park. For the first time, UnitedHealthcare and IRONKIDS offered a dedicated ¼-mile track for kids with special needs. Photo Credit: Laura Segell

UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound kicked-off the race, joined by Sheila K. Shapiro, Chief Operating Officer of nitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona, Michael Somsan, a Gilbert veteran and IRONMAN blind triathlete.



Recognizing the importance of the Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities (SpoFit), and the impact it can have on the quality of life for people with disabilities, UnitedHealthcare contributed $20,000 toward specialized, accessible sports wheelchairs that were showcased during the UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS Special Needs event.

The kids, ages 3-15 had the opportunity to run or wheel on the same course as the IRONMAN® Arizona, which takes place tomorrow. The fun run is for "triathletes to be" and aims to help stem the rising tide of childhood obesity through exercise and healthy lifestyles.


Before the fun run, UnitedHealthcare presented a $3,000 cheque to Kelsey Bocken, SpoFit lead recreational therapist, to further support the center's healthy living programs.

This is the third year UnitedHealthcare is sponsoring IRONKIDS as part of the company's commitment to help stem the rising tide of childhood obesity through healthy lifestyles.

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