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Sports Backers Blog

Encouraging Activity in Fitness Deserts

Brandy Lewis led a 10k crew through her church, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist, and now with support from the Anthem Foundation and Sports Backers they'll have even more opportunities to live an active lifestyle.

By: McKenzie Vergara


Brandy Lewis is a coach, a leader, a friend, and an inspiration. This year, Lewis led a Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K crew at her church, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist, in Richmond. Lewis played a vital role in growing the team and motivating other church members to join the crew and sign up for the 10k.

A total of 41 crew members from Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church signed up for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k and a high percentage of the members trained for the race as a team each weekend. Every Saturday the group would meet at Byrd Park to work out and support one another in reaching their health and fitness goals.

The crew training in Byrd Park

“We kept it easy so that all members (ages 20-74) were comfortable,” Lewis said. “We encouraged those who were more active to train at their own pace so they wouldn’t feel the need to slow down for the sake of others.” 

Perhaps the best aspect of the training crew is they have established a dedication to an active lifestyle that won’t come to an end just because the 10k is complete. Because of the $150,000 grant Sports Backers received from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation that helps fund the Fitness Oasis Program, Lewis and her crew are able to sustain healthy physical activity weekly. 

Brandy Lewis (far right) and crew after the 10k

The Fitness Oasis Program focuses on improving the health and well-being of individuals and families in the Richmond area. The main focus of the program is to encourage regular physical activity in neighborhoods that lack access to fitness opportunities.

The Sports Backers’ Fitness Oasis Program, funded by the Anthem Foundation, reaches the fitness desert areas and supports residents in their goals to embrace an active lifestyle. The aim is to remove the fitness boundaries from the community altogether and support everyone in getting the recommended 150 minutes of exercise each week.

“We were more than happy to give Sports Backers this grant,” said Scott Golden, Anthem’s Director of Corporate Communications. “Anthem and Sports Backers’ missions mirror each other, and we always love to work with other businesses whose vision focuses on living a healthy lifestyle.”

In neighborhoods where stand-alone fitness centers are far and few between, existing structures such as schools, religious institutions, and community buildings will be used to deliver fitness programs. Lewis’ church, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist, illustrates the positive outcome the Fitness Oasis program has on members of these communities. 

“The journey to living a healthier life is so much better with support! We hold each other accountable and encourage each other to be the best version of ourselves that we can be,” said Lewis. “We are forming a ‘Fitness Ministry’ at church now, and we will be regulars in the 10K event but will continue to walk/jog/train together weekly so that we can participate in other races in and around the Richmond area as a team.”

Sixth Mount Zion's 10k t-shirts

Lewis and her crew are more motivated than ever to live a healthy lifestyle. After completing the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, the group has decided to continue their training weekly. The t-shirts the crew wore as they completed the 10K demonstrated their mission and motivation they have as a church, as a team and as a family.

The t-shirts quote from Philippians 3:14 and display a verse that is very reflective of the group's commitment to an active lifestyle: “I’m off and running and I’m not turning back!”

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