STHS Children’s Hosting Third Annual Eddie’s Safari Run For Kids And Adults To Help Promote Importance Of Physical Activity At Every Age

Named after the facility’s mascot, the annual 5K and 2K walk/run events aim to promote healthy behaviors like exercise to Rio Grande Valley children that will last a lifetime

Physical activity is essential for all. For children, though, an active lifestyle is crucial. From helping improve their academic performance to strengthening heart and lung health, exercise has numerous benefits for children. But only 20% to 28% of 6- to 17-year-olds meet the 60 minutes of daily physical activity recommended by the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, per the Physical Activity Alliance.

A lack of exercise can lead to chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension and obesity. In fact, as of 2021, more than 40% of school-aged children and adolescents had at least one chronic health condition, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Physical activity at an early age doesn’t only help children maintain a healthy weight and prevent complications associated with obesity, it helps teach them a healthy habit that can last a lifetime.

“Getting regular exercise is so important at every stage in life. But being physically active as a child can make a world of difference in their overall growth and development,” says Kimberly Davis, MBA, BSN, RN, pediatric administrator, South Texas Health System Children’s. “By spending more time outdoors, on the playground or participating in sports, children can reap the physical, mental and emotional benefits of physical activity, including stronger bones and muscles, improved cardiovascular health, improved focus and attention and improved brain function, which ca help boost their academic performance.”

So, to promote the importance of exercise and its long-term health benefits children and parents in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas Health System Children’s will host its third annual Eddie’s Safari Run on Saturday, March 8, at the hospital’s campus in Edinburg.

Named after the STHS Children’s monkey mascot, Eddie, the event will feature a 2K race for children and their parents, as well as a 5K race for older children and adults. Open to the entire community, the safari-themed event will give participants an opportunity to take a walk (or run) on the wild side by demonstrating their physical fitness.

Online registration is now open through March 5 at noon, with rates of $20 for the 2K and $30 for the 5K run/walk.

The cost of registration includes a t-shirt and participation medal, with all proceeds benefiting the South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association, an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of children living with diabetes through personal empowerment, family support, community awareness and public advocacy.

Packet pick-up will take place the day before the event, on Friday, March 7, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the main lobby of STHS Children’s, located at 1102 W. Trenton Rd. in Edinburg.

The races will begin in the STHS Children’s main parking lot on Saturday, March 8, with a 7:30 a.m. start time for the 5K and 8:00 a.m. start time for the 2K.

The event will include a special community fair featuring the participation of local organizations and businesses.

For complete race details and to register, visit sthsactive.com. For more information, contact the STHS Marketing Department at 956-388-2020 or sthsmarketing@uhsinc.com.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.

Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.