Blue Zones Project comes alive with 'Meet Me at the Market'

Runners, bicyclists and walkers will have a fresh, fun place to shop, socialize, eat and exercise this summer. NewBo City Market will host "Meet Me at the Market" each Thursday evening from May 2 to October 31, 2013. Check in is any time between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

"Meet Me at the Market will bring adults and families together in the heart of the revitalized New Bohemia district," said Wendy Zimmermann, interim director of the NewBo City Market.

"Starting and finishing at the Market, participants can enjoy invigorating exercise along a variety of mapped-out routes which showcase the NewBo district's remarkable development since the flood of 2008," Zimmermann added.

Participants can also enjoy free Music at the Market from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m (even though Market merchants will close at 8), enjoy discounts at the Market and other area businesses, and even earn incentive awards such as t-shirts.

The Blue Zones Project™ Active Living Strategy Team partnered with NewBo City Market to initiate Meet Me at the Market. Other key partners include the City of Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation and Bicycle Advisory Committee; Linn County Trails Association; Mercy Medical Center; Linn County Public Health, Cedar Rapids Convention and Visitors' Bureau and the Cedar Valley Running Association.

The Blue Zones Project™ is a collaboration between Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Healthways as part of Governor Branstad's Healthiest State Initiative, a statewide effort to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation by 2016, as measured by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index®.

Located at 1100 3rd St. S.E. in Cedar Rapids, IA, NewBo City Market is a dynamic public space where local entrepreneurs create an environment of wonderful food, products and experiences. Reclaimed from a once flood-ravaged industrial site in the heart of the New Bohemia district, it is a public market serving "Fresh Fun." All are welcome!