On Thursday, September 27, 2007, business men and women across Atlanta will leave their laptops behind and lace up their running shoes as they race for the finish line at the annual Kaiser Permanente Corporate 5K Run/Walk – the Southeast’s largest workplace-organized fitness program and business 'rite of passage' for many Georgia companies.

Runners and walkers warm up with Bally Total Fitness experts at 2006 Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk

The 2007 Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk & Fitness Program – celebrating its 25th anniversary this year -- is a unique workplace organized fitness initiative designed to promote healthy lifestyles for Atlanta companies and their employees. Program highlights include an eight-week 'Get Fit Atlanta' training program, beginning August 2, that incorporates personal fitness assessments, weekly training tips by race director, U.S. Olympian and Atlanta resident, Jeff Galloway, and a free eight-week membership to Bally Total Fitness Centers throughout metro Atlanta.

The annual 5K run/walk culminates on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 7 p.m. as 25,000 runners, walkers and joggers are expected to complete the 3.1 mile course that winds through the streets of downtown Atlanta. The evening includes fitness demonstrations, a health & fitness expo, live entertainment, hundreds of office picnics -- popularly known as the “World’s Largest Office Party” – and special 25th Anniversary recognitions and awards.

An initiative that debuted in 2006, the Chamber Fitness Challenge encourages chambers of commerce throughout the city and beyond to challenge one another for the most participation, fastest team members and ‘most physically-fit’ chamber designation. To date, the following chambers have accepted the Chamber Fitness Challenge for 2007 in celebration of the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk 25th Anniversary:

• Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce
• DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
• Metro Atlanta Black Chamber of Commerce
• Mexican Chamber of Commerce
• North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
• South Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Other chambers of commerce who accept the Fitness Challenge prior to August 2, 2007, can offer their members the free six-week Bally Total Fitness membership to aid them in training for the annual 5K event. For more information about this membership, visit www.kpcorporaterunwalk.com.

The 2007 Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk & Fitness Program is open to all walkers, joggers and competitive runners regardless of fitness level. In fact, roughly 50 percent of participants are walkers, so all are welcome to join in the healthy fun.

Jeff Galloway

The program was started by U.S. Olympian, marathon expert, author and Atlanta resident, Jeff Galloway, in 1983 and included 900 participants from dozens of Atlanta corporations. Today, the event attracts thousands of participants from more than 600 companies and ranks as the largest self-standing corporate organized fitness program in the Southeast. In celebration of this year’s 25th anniversary, 25,000 runners, joggers and walkers are expected to participate.

Large, small, mid-sized companies and individuals may enter an unlimited number of runners, joggers or walkers as part of their company team or as part of their respective chamber of commerce. Each participating company team designates a team captain who coordinates, encourages and motivates fellow team members throughout the training period.

Teams may also include part-time employees, family members, friends and children under 18. Registration is $20 per person before Wednesday, August 21, at 5 p.m. After that date, registration is $25 per person. To register, call (404) 843-8727 or visit www.kpcorporaterunwalk.com.

Awards are distributed for the following:

• Best times
• Best team times
• Most participation
• Team spirit
• Best t-shirt
• Top male/female finishers
• Fastest male/female CEOs
• Chamber of Commerce Fitness Challenge winners

Additionally, the Kaiser Permanente ® Cup is presented to the “most fit” companies in categories judged by the Georgia Coalition for Physical Activity and Nutrition (G-PAN). A portion of the proceeds benefits the Atlanta Braves Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta.

The 2007 Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk & Fitness Program is presented by Kaiser Permanente of Georgia. Additional sponsors include Clear Channel; WSB-TV2 Family2Family; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Atlanta Sports & Fitness/Georgia Athlete; Jezebel; 680 The Fan, 929 DAVE FM and Phidippides.