Nearly 200 young athletes participated in the first UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS Augusta Fun Run today at the Augusta Convention Center. UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound kicked-off the fun run, joined by Terence Christopher of UnitedHealthcare.

Local athletes, ages 3-15, had the opportunity to run along portions of the IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta course, which takes place tomorrow. For the first time in Georgia, IRONKIDS offered 1-mile and ¼-mile tracks for physically challenged youth athletes. UnitedHealthcare provided 50 free race admissions to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Augusta to encourage participation.

“The IRONKIDS fun runs give our community the opportunity to have fun together, and begin their day being active and healthy. Walking and running are exercises everyone can do to maintain a healthful lifestyle,” said Jocelyn Chisholm Carter of UnitedHealthcare. “UnitedHealthcare is grateful for the opportunity to partner with IRONMAN to help children in our community live healthier lives.”

This is the fourth year UnitedHealthcare is supporting IRONKIDS as part of the company’s commitment to help stem the rising tide of childhood obesity through healthy lifestyles. The UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS 2015 Series features nine one-mile fun runs and a dip-and-dash.

“We are thrilled to have a partner in UnitedHealthcare to sponsor these youth events as part of our IRONMAN series,” said Carola Ross, Chief Sales Officer for IRONMAN. “The opportunity the IRONKIDS fun runs offer young athletes is tremendous, as these races can be the catalyst for a lifetime of exercise and healthy living.”

Obesity among children and adolescents has almost tripled since 1980, with nearly one in every three children being overweight or obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children from low-income and low-education households are three-times more likely to suffer from obesity, which is a leading risk factor for diabetes, heart disease and many cancers, according to America’s Health Rankings, an annual comprehensive assessment of the nation’s health on a state-by-state basis. Georgia ranks 33rd in the country with 30 percent of adults and nearly 13 percent of youth estimated to be obese.