“Stepping it up” alongside our communities in Atlanta and beyond
While basketball fans across the U.S. cheer and stake bets on their favorite college teams during March Madness, we’ve been feeling all the gratitude this month towards our favorite NBA team, the Atlanta Hawks. Since 2017, our partnership with the Hawks has always extended beyond the court, focusing on initiatives that make our communities healthier places to live, work, and play. This year, they’ve helped us to “step it up” and encourage people to walk or run in support of their health and well-being, by taking steps in ways that enrich our community in Sharecare’s home base of Atlanta.
As the Grand Marshal of the 2025 Hawks Fast Break 5K presented by Sharecare, I had the incredible honor of leading this year’s race—a role that allowed me to witness firsthand the unstoppable spirit present in our city. Seeing over 1,200 runners take their mark at State Farm Arena and set off through downtown Atlanta was an inspiring reminder of how powerful community-driven wellness initiatives can be. The energy was simply unmatched—each stride echoed our shared commitment to health and perseverance.
Kicking off with an ever-enthusiastic emcee pumping up the crowd before the starting horn, it was heartwarming to see spectators along the route helping to push runners through to the finish line, offering cheers, high-fives, and words of encouragement. Motivation to get healthy and get moving remained high, with DJ MoHawk spinning an energizing soundtrack and the ATL Dancers delivering high-energy performances that kept spirits soaring. Now in its sixth year, the Fast Break 5K has become more than just a race; it’s a celebration of health, camaraderie, and civic pride.
The race wasn’t the only way our favorite team has helped us promote physical fitness recently. The Atlanta Hawks also helped Sharecare elevate the Jump Shot for Health challenge during their game against Oklahoma City Thunder. Currently underway, this initiative is fostering healthy competition between members of Georgia’s State Health Benefit Plan in support of Title 1 schools in the Peach State. Our team was excited to see a glowing reminder of the initiative displayed on the jumbotron at the State Farm Arena during the game, and as of this week, those participating in the challenge have taken nearly 1 million total steps!
Reflecting on our years of partnering with the Hawks, I’m reminded of the impact we can achieve when we come together to champion health and wellness. The Hawks Fast Break 5K and Jump Shot for Health are more than just a race or a challenge—they’re about building a movement. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event, the final results of the challenge, and I hope to see even more of you on the literal and figurative starting lines as we continue to make a difference in our individual and community health, one step at a time!
