Pay It Forward walk/run a success

The 4th Annual Pay It Forward 5k/1 mile Challenge was a little wet this year, but of the 1,005 registered participants, over 800 of them came to run, walk or roll the course. This year we had Willy the Wolverine from UVU and Payson City Royalty start the fun run/ walk. Since the Payson City Employee Wellness program started this event in 2011, we have seen the excitement in participants for accomplishing either the 1 mile or 5k.

Payson City Employees and volunteers from around the community helped make the event a success. The registration fee for this event pays for the medal and certificate each participants receive at the end of the course. Donations from local businesses supplies the water, fruit, signs and prizes.

The Elementary School Challenge component of the event encourages the elementary schools in the area to become active. The school with the most registered participants, which can be students, faculty, staff, family and friends, receives an award assembly. At the award assembly, the students have local athletes come talk to them about the importance of being active and healthy. The school also receives a plaque to hang in their school and playground balls for each classroom.

We hope that our effort to Pay It Forward to the community with this event helps them feel they can succeed at anything. We are excited for next year and hope the community looks forward to it as well.

For more information about the event and how to sponsor, please see our Blog (payitforward5k1milechallenge.blogspot.com) and Facebook page (PayItForward5k1mileChallenge).