The UTHealth Houston Half Marathon & 10K health fair and packet pickup transformed Bellaire Station into a lively gathering of community, wellness, and celebration Oct. 24 and 25. Balloon arches towered overhead, music fueled the crowd of more than 7,000, and families arrived with anticipation and smiles.
“I’ve never been to a packet pickup where the kids don’t want to leave,” said Cristina Lara, running the university’s half marathon for the first time. She hesitated bringing her children (ages 1, 5, and 10), but they turned it into a family festival, of sorts, enjoying face painting, the jumbo UTHealth Houston Loteria game, mural coloring, and more.
Jennifer Bradley, MHA, executive director of community-based clinics at UT Physicians, said it was fun interacting with all the departments across UTHealth Houston at the health fair as well as the Houston community.
“I believe the community was impressed that we can assist them in all aspects of their health care needs,” Bradley said. “It was a pleasure to engage the Houston community for the third year.”
What appeared to be a routine stop for race materials became a meaningful experience during the ongoing health fair. Attendees participated in no-cost health screenings, gathered educational resources, smiled with therapy dogs, competed in high-energy games, and snapped photos with running-themed props.
Prevention with purpose
Trent Briscoe, a first-year student at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, took advantage of the EKG and carotid artery screenings during his packet pickup.
“It’s super easy to do this for free and jump in and grab a quick check,” Briscoe said. “My family has struggled with heart issues in the past, and I want to make sure my health is good. I wouldn’t have done it today, for sure, if it hadn’t been so easy. I’m grateful for the opportunity and excited to run the 10K.”
The UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry mobile dental van parked on site to provide screenings for interested participants. Access to care is a common barrier for many who haven’t seen a dentist in years – or ever.
“A lot of people we see want answers for their dental problems and are looking for places to get appointments,” said Norma Chapa, a dental hygienist at the School of Dentistry. “With a visual check, we can give them an idea of what’s going on. You can see a sense of relief on their faces that they are being directed somewhere.”
Runners unite
The energy was strong for race participants eager to pick up their race-day materials. For Sandy Cernota and her running buddy, Terry Bratton, the two consider the UTHealth Houston run as their annual, fun event. Cernota has been running in this race since 2010.
“I met Terry during my first half marathon, where we became re-connected again. We actually went to high school together,” Cernota said. “She was in front of me and shared water when they ran out at the race. We’ve been running together ever since.”
The duo said they enjoy this race because the music is incredible, the crowd is amazing, and the after-party is always the best.
“The health fair is really fun, too” she said. “Everyone is in a good mood, it’s very informative, and you can get health screenings and skin screenings. I love that for the community.”
Making a difference
The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at McGovern Medical School participated in the health fair for its third year and offered no-cost well-woman exams for the second year. The specialists shared the comprehensive programs available in the women’s center.
“I’ve been observing the interactions between the staff and the runners today and a few who said they have an OB-GYN doctor said they’d come see us,” said Veronica Cherry Louis, senior practice manager, UT Physicians Women’s Center — Bellaire Station. “They have the face of the department represented right there in the staff at the fair. They do so much and work hard taking care of our patients.”
For the first time, Reach Out and Read Texas participated in the health fair. This early childhood literacy program, part of the Children’s Learning Institute at UTHealth Houston, encourages families to read together by providing books at early pediatrician appointments. Health fair attendees were encouraged to write the title of their favorite childhood book on a sticky note to display at the booth.
“It’s been cool to have people engage with what the heart of Reach Out and Read is: promoting literacy and the importance that books play on our formation and the people who we become,” said Sallianne Roher, a second-year student at McGovern Medical School. “They get to write down the title of their favorite book when they were a kid, which is connecting with the heart of Reach Out and Read.”
As a participant in the UTHealth Houston half marathon, Roher is running to support Reach Out and Read.
Inspiring others
For one first-time participant, this race is more than a finish line — it’s a full-circle moment.
“I ran in college and had big running goals,” said Selena Kelley, a mom of two young girls. “Then I had kids and realized I could still chase my goals, just in a different way.”
When her daughters asked why she loves to run, her answer was simple: It keeps her healthy so she can take care of them. Now they cheer her on from the sidelines.
“They watch me work, watch me run, and watch me take care of them,” she said. “They see me do it all.”
View pictures from the health fair below.
