Gearing up for “The Ride”

February 20, 2008 ¾ Mercy Health Partners (MHP) with major sponsor, Shape Corporation, is gearing up for the 4th annual “The Ride” event, on Saturday, March 15 at The Lakes Mall from noon to 4:30 p.m. In this unique stationary bike race, 360 cyclists (forty five teams of eight) will ride bicycles mounted on trainers, in 25-minute intervals for a chance to win individual metals and team trophies. The Ride is a great time for the entire community to come and promote health and fitness.

The Ride is a fundraiser to benefit MHP’s H.E.A.R.T. (Health Enhancement and Rehabilitative Therapy) Center. All proceeds will support the H.E.A.R.T. Center’s Charles F. Schuler, Jr. Memorial Fund. The Fund’s purpose is to educate the community about the importance of having a healthy heart through exercise, proper nutrition, and healthy lifestyle changes for the entire family as well as to support needed resources and services of the H.E.A.R.T. Center. Clear Channel Radio’s 2008 Lakeshore Family Health Expo, also hosted at The Lakes Mall will be held in conjunction with The Ride. Hours for the Health Expo are 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

MHP was ranked number one in the region in 2007, for heart surgery by HealthGrades. This distinction places MHP in the top 5% in the nation for clinical excellence. The Mercy H.E.A.R.T. Center has been referred to as “the gem of MHP’s Heart and Vascular Institute.” This comprehensive wellness and rehabilitation center is located near the Mercy Campus and is the largest of its kind in West Michigan.

Additional The Ride sponsors include ADAC Plastics, Andrie, Inc. Alcoa/Howmet Castings, Auxiliary, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Boomer Capital Management, Clear Channel Radio, L-3 Communications, Kaydon, Corp., Merrill Lynch, Northern Machine Tool, Priority Health, Warner, Norcross & Judd, West Shore Cardiology, and WZZM Channel 13. Event partners include Bauer Sheet Metal/ProFab, The Muskegon Chronicle, The Lakes Mall, Breakaway Bicycle & Fitness, The Bicycle Rack, Armstrong Graphics, Inc. and Allied Waste Management. Sponsorship opportunities are still available through MHP’s Community Development Council members.

For more information about The Ride, to volunteer, or to view race results for last year’s event, visit www.MHP.com or call 231.672.4814.

Results:

Team Totals
Heat Totals
Individual Totals

Heat Totals 12:00
Heat Totals 12:30
Heat Totals 1:00
Heat Totals 1:30
Heat Totals 2:00
Heat Totals 2:30
Heat Totals 3:00
Heat Totals 3:30