UTHealth Houston has named Brittany Owen, MD, as official cardiologist and Rehal A. Bhojani, MD, as sports medicine specialist for the UTHealth Houston Half Marathon & 10K Sunday, Oct. 25. Together, they’ll combine their expertise to support runners leading up to and during the university-sponsored event.
“I love seeing the community come together to promote healthy habits and lift each other up in the process,” Owen said. “Exercising is such a critical component of maintaining heart health, and events like this help motivate and inspire people to set and achieve their fitness goals.”
In his returning role, Bhojani looks forward to interacting with the runners, sponsors, volunteers, and spectators who make the event special.
“Race day brings people together from all backgrounds around a common goal,” Bhojani said. “It’s an incredibly positive environment and rewarding to be part of an event that celebrates fitness, community, and perseverance.”
Bhojani said one of the biggest takeaways from last year’s event is the importance of continuing to evolve and improve. The sports medicine and medical support teams are always looking for ways to enhance both safety and the overall race experience.
Sharing their expertise
Owen will be promoting the importance of training in her role as a race physician in cardiology, encouraging individuals to work up to the 10K or half marathon distance. Stretching and weight training are important in addition to distance runs or walks, she said.
As a runner and an athlete for most of her life, Owen believes her background enables her to understand what it’s like to train for a race. She is also sensitive to the types of injuries and setbacks that can occur with racing.
“The hope is that in training for these types of events, individuals learn what they are capable of, find how fun it can be to be active and ultimately continue to train even after race day is over,” Owen said.
As a race physician in sports medicine, Bhojani will focus on promoting three principles: preparation, prevention, and participation.
- Preparation: Set aside time to train appropriately based on running experience and fitness level.
- Prevention: Gradually increase training volume, maintain a resistance training program, and incorporate flexibility and recovery work to reduce injury risk.
- Participation: Bhojani said the ultimate goal is helping every runner arrive at the starting line healthy, confident, and ready to enjoy the experience.
“Trust your preparation, listen to your body, and take time to enjoy the experience,” he said.
With a shared enthusiasm for helping runners succeed, Owen and Bhojani bring expertise and encouragement to ensure participants stay healthy and run strong on race day.