Lugar Hosts Fitness Festival Weekend

Senator Lugar hosted his 29th annual Community Run, Walk on Saturday September 15, which brought hundreds of competitors to the campus of Butler University. In conjunction with the Run, Walk, Senator Lugar hosted his annual Health Fair in the ArtsGarden at Circle Centre Mall, Friday September 14. This year’s health fair was sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana and featured over 50 exhibitors offering health information and screenings. 

“Each year I look forward to the highlight of the Fitness Festival and Lugar Run, Walk at Butler’s campus,” Senator Lugar said. “The annual opportunity brings together Hoosiers to promote nutrition, health and physical education. This is essential as we work to ensure that all Hoosiers have the knowledge and motivation necessary to adopt healthy lifestyles.” 

An awards ceremony following the Run, Walk honored the top runners, along with recipients of the Lugar Health and Fitness Award. This year’s Lugar Health and Fitness Award winners were Julie McKenney of Indianapolis, Michael Gelfgot of Greensburg, Michael Goebel of Evansville, and Nick Hancock of Huntington.

Julie McKenney (pictured at right with Senator Lugar) is the current Director of the Indiana University Natatorium and the Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium at Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI). Julie helped start the IUPUI Sport Complex Summer Camps. 

Michael Gelfgot (pictured below with Senator Lugar) has dedicated his life to educating rural Indiana residents about fitness and nutrition. Michael is part owner of Anytime Fitness with locations in Greensburg, Rushville, Aurora, and New Castle.

Michael Goebel has been a physical education teacher and coach at Mater Dei High School for 33 years.  Michael’s teams have accumulated winning records, including 12 state wrestling championships and one state football championship title. 

Nick Hancock is an avid bike rider and experienced advocate of safety, health and fitness. He has voluntarily led weekly training rides for the Huntington community and taught bicycle safety at local community events and schools. Nick has been an Educator and Leader of the Boy Scout Troop for Bicycle Safety and led various bicycle rides for youth groups in the community. Five years ago, Hancock helped establish a bike route and assisted with organizing the “Huntington Bicycle Challenge” Adventure Race and Scenic Road Tour, in an effort to bring more visitors to the county.

The Dick Lugar Health and Fitness Award, given in memory of Ray Sears, was established in 1984 to honor Hoosiers who have made outstanding contributions in promoting fitness and health. Ray Sears, a friend of Senator Lugar's and a 1985 award winner, died in April of 1989. In honor of Ray’s life and commitment to physical fitness and health, Senator Lugar presents the award each year.

In addition to these annual events, Senator Lugar consistently supports legislation that promotes fitness, nutrition and health.

He is a long-time runner and the only Member of Congress to participate in all 26 Capital Challenge races sponsored each spring by the American Council of Life Insurers in Washington, D.C. The 3-mile race benefits the Washington, D.C. Special Olympics and invites teams representing the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government and the media to compete.

Senator Lugar and his wife Char are also strong supporters of the March of Dimes, an organization committed to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Mrs. Lugar, a former member of the national board of directors of the March of Dimes, established an endowed fund for fighting birth defects and infant deaths. The fund includes support for prenatal care provided aboard the "MOM mobile," which tours Indianapolis neighborhoods.