After not being able to hold the event in-person last year due to COVID, the Permian Basin Heart Walk will return this year to its regular setting.
The American Heart Association, is inviting those living in and around the Permian Basin back to its premier event to boost physical and mental health through healthy habits while supporting the lifesaving mission.
The event will get going at 9 a.m. Sept. 18 at the MCH Center for Health and Wellness 8050, East Highway 191 where participants and teams will be taking part to celebrate heart and stroke survivors, raise lifesaving funds and encourage physical activity.
Last year’s event was held virtually.
Ashley Quintana, corporate marketing director for the American Heart Association, says that registration will take place at 8 a.m. on the morning of the walk with an opening ceremony at 8:45 a.m.
“We’re super excited,” Quintana said. “One of the reasons that we do this is to raise funds for groundbreaking research for cardiac disease and strokes. We definitely want to see our survivors out there (and) all of our companies, our sponsors. We’re just excited to be around people this year.”
Quintana said that Permian Basin Heart Walk has been around for six years.
“Medical Center Health System has been our signature sponsor for the last six years so they’ve been a great partner with us,” Quintana said. “A couple of years ago, it was at Parks Legado and then we moved it to a new area at MCH, I believe in 2019 so this will be our second year over at MCH (not counting last year). Mission Fitness will be the trail we’ll be walking on.”
Quintana is hopeful of having a decent number of participants this year.
“We have some large corporate teams and friends and family teams so we’re hoping this year at least 250-300 people,” Quintana said.
The event has grown over the years as the Permian Basin Heart Walk has worked to get the word out each fall.
“People want to do something on a Saturday morning,” Quintana said. “We have fun stuff for the kids, pets are welcome on leashes. I feel like word of mouth goes around so we grow every year.”
Safety precautions will be taken due to the virus as mask wearing will be encouraged.
“I mean, it is outside, so we’re thankful for that,” Quintana said. “If you do want to wear a mask, we do encourage that. There will be hand washing stations. I think social distancing will be in effect. I think people in West Texas are ready to come together and really celebrate good causes and be around one another.”
This year’s walk will be led by John Mik of Condor Pipeline. He also led last year’s virtual race but will be back this year since this year’s event is back to in-person.
“He’s been our chair for the last two years,” Quintana said of Mik. “Last year, he was the chairman and I don’t really feel like he got to really put his potential behind everything since it was a virtual event.”
The funds raised from the Permian Basin Heart Walk will go towards research, advocacy, CPR training and to promote better health in support of the association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal, reducing barriers to health care access and quality.
If you go
- What: Permian Basin Heart Walk
- When: 9 a.m. Sept. 18
- Where: MCH Center for Health and Wellness 8050 East Highway 191
- Where to register: https://tinyurl.com/j3jvx28
