MMC to host 5K Heart Walk Oct. 29

For the second consecutive year, FIU will welcome thousands to its Modesto A. Maidique Campus for the American Heart Association’s (AHA) annual Miami-Dade Heart Walk. The 5K event (3.1 miles) will take place Saturday, Oct. 29.

And they're off! Nearly 10,000 people walked in last year's 5K. Organizers hope to reach 15,000 participants this year. Photo courtesy American Heart Association.

Activities begin at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. in the roundabout in front of the Ryder business building. Festivities include a Kids Zone, health screenings, games, entertainment and a free lunch provided by Subway.

Thirty-two teams from across the university have signed up to participate, including groups representing Academic Planning & Accountability, Advancement, Athletics, Beta Alpha Psi, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, College of Architecture + The Arts, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Education, College of Engineering & Computing, College of Medicine, SIPA, Controllers Office, External Relations, Honors College, Human Resources, IT, Library, President’s Office, Research, School of Hospitality & Tourism, Student Affairs, Graduate School, VP of Enrollment, and student-run organizations.

There is no donation or fee requirement to participate. Registration is open until the day of the event. The first 500 participants to register as part of an FIU team (FIU students, faculty, staff and family) will receive a free “Team FIU” t-shirt. To create an FIU team or join an existing one, click here.

The American Heart Association is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness of the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of men and women in the United States — cardiovascular disease and stroke. Proceeds from the Heart Walk help fulfill the organization’s commitment to fund the research and education that is critical to reducing heart disease and stroke. FIU researchers have received more than $1.4 million in funding support from AHA through the years.