Blue Cross Of Idaho Foundation For Health Teams With Kristin Armstrong For Blue Cruise Of Idaho Recreational Cycling Events

Community Events Promote A Healthier Idaho And Raise Funds For Recreational Paths/Trails In Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Pocatello And Meridian

March 18, 2009

BOISE – The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health has teamed with Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong to present Blue Cruise of Idaho, a series of four bicycling events that will promote health and fitness and raise funds for multi-use recreational paths and trails throughout the state.

Each Blue Cruise event will feature multiple course distances, a community wellness fair and a bicycle safety rodeo for children.

Armstrong will ride in all events, deliver a motivational message and interact with participants during autograph sessions.

The Blue Cruise of Idaho events and beneficiaries are:

Twin Falls (May 30) – rides of 15, 30 and 50 miles, benefiting the Canyon Rim trail system

Meridian (June 27) – rides of 15, 30, 50 and 100 miles, benefiting the Boise Greenbelt

Pocatello (August 8) – rides of 15, 30 and 50 miles, benefiting the Portneuf Greenway

Coeur d’Alene (August 15) – rides of 15, 30 and 62 miles, benefiting the North Idaho Centennial Trail system

Ray Flachbart, chairman of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, says the 2009 series is an expansion of the Blue Cruise charity cycling event held in Meridian the past six years, and will highlight Armstrong's commitment to healthy recreation.

"Kristin Armstrong has a contagious passion for physical fitness and health that matches our Foundation's pledge to enhance the wellness of Idahoans, so we joined forces," said Flachbart. "We're supporting multi-use recreational paths and trails because they are valuable assets specifically created to encourage exercise and promote public health and wellness."

Organizers are planning an activity-oriented community wellness fair at each Blue Cruise event with exhibitors and scheduled demonstrations that provide hands-on teaching activities. The bike rodeos will teach children 6 to 12 years old the basics of bicycle safety and the first 100 participants at each rodeo will receive a free bike helmet.  

The Blue Cruise of Idaho has launched a Web site, located at www.bluecruiseidaho.com, to streamline registration and provide easy access to information about each ride, community wellness fair and bike rodeo.

About the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health
Created in 2001 for charitable and educational purposes, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health supports programs that benefit the health and wellness of all Idahoans. The Foundation believes that when it comes to giving to the community it must lead by example. Since 2003, the Foundation has donated nearly $500,000 to charitable health programs and organizations statewide. For more information, visit www.bcidahofoundation.org.