RJ Corman Railroad Group's Walking Trail named as new location for the 2009 5K Run/Walk

The Get Healthy Kentucky Bluegrass State Games announce a new and exciting location for this year’s 5K Run/Walk. This year’s event will be held Saturday, July 25, 2009 at RJ Corman Railroad Group’s Walking Trail starting at 8:30 am in Nicholasville, Kentucky. This scenic course is on the private property of well-known and diversified railroad service provider, RJ Corman. A rolling paved path marks the journey through winding streams and luscious trees.

Come out and meet Jared Fogle, the Subway Guy, as participants compete against the state’s best runners or just take a leisurely summer stroll along the course. Jared will greet runners and distribute medals at one of Kentucky’s most established 5K Run/Walks.

Beginning at 8am, there will be a brief Opening Ceremony with special guest speakers, First Lady Jane Beshear and Jared Fogle. Medals will be presented immediately after the finish of the race to the top three overall male and female finishers in each age group. Register online, by mail or at the event the morning of the race. Mail in registrations must be postmarked on or before July 14, 2009. Participants may also sign up at John’s Run/Walk Shop at 317 S. Ashland Ave., or John’s New Shoes Plus in the Woodhill Plaza (both in Lexington) anytime through Friday at noon, July 24. Registration the day of the race will be taken from 7-8am.

Find out more information by clicking HERE.

Congratulations to the Get Healthy Kentucky Bluegrass State Games Spirit Award Winners

To conclude the Get Healthy Kentucky Bluegrass State Games 25th Anniversary Luncheon on Thursday, June 4th three were honored with the Get Healthy Kentucky Bluegrass State Games Spirit Award.

The first Spirit Award went to Jackie French. Jackie has been a BGSG volunteer since the start of the games. She began as a Sports Chair Liaison where her duties included coordinating all the events on UK’s campus, picking up results, delivering food and water to volunteers, and making sure the sports staff had the materials and equipment needed to run their events. In later years, Jackie served as an assistant to Jean Wright, the Sports Chair for Track and Field.

The second Spirit Award was presented to Donald Mather. Mr. Mather has participated in numerous events every year since the start of the Games in 1985. Mather has competed in 10 different events and won a total of 86 medals in 24 years (43 Gold, 29 Silver and 14 Bronze), some of these after suffering two strokes. Not only does he exemplify the spirit of the games, but he carries on the winning tradition with his family as well. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have participated and succeeded in the Games right alongside Donald.

The third Spirit Award was given to Adam Bender. Adam, who at the age of nine is an inspiration to all involved with Games. As a toddler, Adam battled and conquered cancer. He has since participated in the Games playing both soccer and baseball in the 2008 Summer Games, receiving the Gold medal in soccer. Adam plans to compete this summer in soccer, baseball and possibly wrestling.

Congratulations to all three recipients!

Participating Subway restaurants and the KY Beef Council are teaming up to offer a "Sub of the Games"

In an effort to promote this year’s, “Get Healthy Kentucky” Bluegrass State Games, participating Subway restaurants and the Kentucky Beef Council are teaming up to offer a “Sub of the Games.” The sub is a steak and cheese sub that customers can receive 10 bonus points on their rewards cards for purchasing. The sub will be available from May 18-July 31, 2009 at participating Subway restaurants. So head on in to your local Subway and gear up for the Games, and remember, “Beef, it’s what’s for dinner!”

Congratulations to our contest winners!

Each winner will receive a gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods.

$500 winner

Michelle Tumey – Cynthiana

$100 winners

Dave Hart (Georgetown), Darian Cox (Richmond), Catherine Bishop (Versailles), Angie Spence (Owingsville), Jim Stone (Radcliff)

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND IN 2009!

FREE NIGHT OF FUN @ CELEBRATION OF ATHLETES

The first 2,000 participants to register for the 2009 Get Healthy Kentucky Bluegrass State Games will receive a FREE T-shirt, FREE meal, and FREE ticket to Legends vs. Lake County Captains game on Friday, July 24.

Applebee’s Park and the Lexington Legends will serve again as the host and would like to invite all participants to feel the excitement of this year’s event(s) by coming out to the ball park for a night of fun and festivities, and baseball to include:

• In-game promotions for Bluegrass State Games participants
• Torch Run and lighting of the cauldron immediately after the conclusion of the baseball game followed by a fireworks extravaganza presented by ADI

Games Pioneer and Former Gov. Martha Layne Collins highlight 25th Anniversary Luncheon

The first Get Healthy Kentucky Bluegrass State Games 25th Anniversary Luncheon presented by Humana, was held this past Thursday, June 4th at the Lexington Downtown Hotel and included guests such as Governor Martha Layne Collins, who was the keynote speaker, current Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry, and a total of 30 sponsored tables.
Mayor Newberry expressed how much the Games have meant to Lexington over the past 25 years, specifically the economic impact the Games has on the city of Lexington and how it gives Lexington a chance to showcase the city and the University of Kentucky. Mayor Newberry stated that the economic impact of the Games is close to $6.5 Million a year.

Governor Martha Layne Collins was the keynote speaker and presented a video that highlighted the first Bluegrass State Games in 1985. With three presenting sponsors, the Kentucky Bluegrass State Games was organized in six months, and had the biggest opening year participation in the country. She noted that every year, the BGSG is ranked among the top five states in the nation for participation and that over 350,000 athletes have participated since the Games inception.

The luncheon concluded with a presentation of awards, including three Spirit Awards. The first Spirit Award went to Jackie French. Jackie has been a BGSG volunteer since the start of the games. She began as a Sports Chair Liaison where her duties included coordinating all the events on UK’s campus, picking up results, delivering food and water to volunteers, and making sure the sports staff had the materials and equipment needed to run their events. In later years, Jackie served as an assistant to Jean Wright, the Sports Chair for Track and Field.

The second Spirit Award was presented to Donald Mather. Mr. Mather has participated in numerous events every year since the start of the Games in 1985. Mather has competed in 10 different events and won a total of 86 medals in 24 years (43 Gold, 29 Silver and 14 Bronze), some of these after suffering two strokes. Not only does he exemplify the spirit of the games, but he carries on the winning tradition with his family as well. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have participated and succeeded in the Games right alongside Donald.

The third Spirit Award was given to Adam Bender. Adam, who at the age of nine is an inspiration to all involved with Games. As a toddler, Adam battled and conquered cancer. He has since participated in the Games playing both soccer and baseball in the 2008 Summer Games, receiving the Gold medal in soccer. Adam plans to compete this summer in soccer, baseball and possibly wrestling.

Finally, a gold medal was presented to Governor Collins for her involvement and dedication to the Games by some fellow pioneers and officials including Mayor Newberry, Sam Dunn, Alan Stein, Steve Brooks, and Sue Feamster.

The luncheon concluded with a video recording of the Late Governor Happy Chandler singing “My Old Kentucky Home” at the first Bluegrass State Games 25 years ago.

Click HERE to watch the BGSG 25th Anniversary video.

Click HERE to view more photos.