Over thirty Fall River Fitness Challenge participants got themselves ready for the upcoming Thomas J. Giunta Memorial 5K Road Race by walking and running on a similar course on February 18, 2012 during the fifth Fitness Challenge event. Fitness trainer Amy Jones gave the group directions before Daryl Parrent led the group on the 5K route. Participants left from Community Development Recreation (CD-REC) headquarters on Bank Street and then headed up High Street and Highland Avenue past Charlton Memorial Hospital, down New Boston Road to Oak Grove Avenue, and then returning on Bedford Street back to CD-REC. Sponsored by the Diabetes Association, Inc. (DAI),  Community Development Recreation (CD-REC), the Fall River YMCA, General Fitness and Healthy City Fall River, and supported by Partners for a Healthier Community, the Challenge offers low cost opportunities for those who live, work or attend school in Greater Fall River to get fit, lose weight, have fun and win prizes. Registration closed at the end of January with over 750 adults weighing-in at these locations and at their workplace in the coming weeks. Click here for the video of the event. Call CD-REC at 508-679-0922 for more information. 

(Top row, left) Former Challenge winner and fitness leader Daryl Parrent gets ready to lead the group from CD-Rec up Bank Street to the starting point of the annual 5K Giunta Race. (Row two) Challenge participants head up High Street on the first leg of the 5K route with participant Dan Hill pointing the way. (Row three) Runners pass Charlton Memorial Hospital and head down New Boston Road before turning onto Bedford Street. (Bottom row) Dawn Nardi and a friend walk back on Bedford Street to CD-Rec headquarters where Fitness Challenge coordinator Annemarie Sharkey draws the winning tickets in the Challenge raffle.