ThedaCare Presents First-Ever Chicken Chase on June 21
Chickenfest, a popular community event in Darboy, is adding a 5K run/walk to its line-up of fun family activities.
ThedaCare and its physicians will present the first-ever Chicken Chase beginning at 9 a.m. on Sat., June 21. The route starts and ends at Darboy Community Park at the intersection of Noe Road and Midway Road. The park is home to Chickenfest, which is sponsored annually by the Kiwanis Club of Darboy to raise funds for the various community projects that it supports.
Marty Pingel, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Darboy, said Chickenfest organizers considered adding a run/walk for several years. “The timing was just right to do it this year. Chickenfest is an established community event. With the support of local volunteers such as the Kimberly High School cross-country team and a sponsor like ThedaCare that promotes healthy living, we feel the Chicken Chase is an excellent addition to what Chickenfest offers to the community,” he said. “We definitely intend to make the run/walk an annual part of Chickenfest.”
The annual ChickenFest parade will begin once the Chicken Chase is over.
Registration for the 5K Chicken Chase is $20 before June 6 and $25 after that date. For registration details and a sign-up form, please visit www.darboychickenfest.com or stop at the service desk at the Festival Foods Darboy location.
Joshua Block, MD, a family practitioner at ThedaCare Physicians-Darboy, said the Chicken Chase and other fun runs are a great way for families to exercise together.
“ThedaCare’s mission is build healthy communities and the Chicken Chase fits with that. It’s encouraging people to get out and move,” Dr. Block said. “We all need to move more and a fun activity like the Chicken Chase is something everyone can do. You don’t have to run, you can walk and even push your kids in a stroller.”
Wisconsin State Trooper Justin Hansen, a resident of Darboy who was seriously injured while responding to an accident earlier this year on U.S. 41, is the Chicken Chase’s official starter and will walk the route with his family. Hansen’s legs were broken in the accident. His right leg was amputated below the knee and he now walks with a prosthetic leg.
“Tim McGrath, Justin’s co-worker, is the coordinator of the run/walk and a member of our Kiwanis Club. We’ve been inspired by Justin’s story and his determination so we wanted to include him in the event,” Pingel said.
In addition to ThedaCare and its physicians, other Chicken Chase sponsors include the Green Bay Packers, Anchor Bank, Festival Foods, and Wagner Family Chiropractic.
ThedaCare™ is a community health system consisting of five hospitals: Appleton Medical Center, Theda Clark Medical Center, ThedaCare Medical Center-New London, Shawano Medical Center, and Riverside Medical Center in Waupaca. ThedaCare also includes ThedaCare Physicians, ThedaCare Behavioral Health, ThedaCare At Work, and ThedaCare at Home. ThedaCare is one of the largest employers in Northeast Wisconsin with more than 6,175 employees. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
