The 2021 Heart Mini Walk goes virtual again this year, but with new ways to participate

The American Heart Association’s annual Heart Mini Marathon and Walk regularly brings thousands of people downtown to raise funds for heart disease and stroke research. This year, however, people will be participating from their homes and raising funds that also will go towards fast-tracking COVID-19 research and training frontline workers.

“While our world has changed greatly in the last year, heart disease and stroke remain our No. 1 and 3 killers, both nationally and here in Greater Cincinnati. To that end, the work of the AHA is as critically important as ever and we are steadfast in our commitment to building a world of longer, healthier lives for all,” says Lori Fovel, American Heart Association communications director.  

Since the Heart Mini draws such a large crowd, the AHA has made some changes. The fundraiser is going virtual for the second time after also going virtual in 2020. Called “2021 Mini Where You Are,” it will be held on March 28. The goal is to raise $3,725,000 and, at press time, the organization was almost halfway there. More than 180 companies are raising funds by participating in the virtual walk, with Mercy Health recorded as raising more than $100,000 when the issue went to print. More than 9,000 walkers have also registered for this year’s event.

To participate this year, runners and walkers will download an app called RTRE.me. This real time race tracking app allows you to see your time, view interactive maps with audio at milestones and even check a custom leaderboard. To get started, you can join or start a team while recruiting friends, family or even co-workers, then start walking wherever you like! The great part of the walk being virtual is it will happen rain or shine.

Those who would like to participate can still register to receive medals, shirts, bibs and even red caps for survivors, which will be mailed to you. However, because of the late date, there is a chance you will not receive them before the official date of the Heart Mini. When you cross the finish line, be sure to snap a photo to share with the American Heart Association by using the hashtag #MiniMyWay and follow their social media pages (@theheartmini).

Because the participants can’t gather together, the American Heart Association has worked on improving different strategies to give everyone the best experience.

“With 10 brief days to convert to a digital event in 2020, we moved quickly to make ‘Mini Where You Are’ a success. Now, in our second year in the digital environment, we have had more time to innovate and elevate the AHA’s mission in 2021. We have broadened engagement opportunities, allowing Greater Cincinnatians to choose how they want to live AHA’s mission this year. While the Heart Mini is a single-day event on March 28, it’s really a celebration of year-round health,” says Fovel.

“We went to the drawing board with our presenting sponsors—Kroger Health, Mercy Health and Kellogg’s—to create weekly ‘Mini My Way’ wellness challenges to inspire lasting change in health and in life, one small step at a time. We asked Heart Mini participants to choose their way to Mini in 2021: Eat Smart, Be Well or Move More. This year we will celebrate a year-round culmination of health journeys certainly centered on moving more but expanding on nutrition and mental well-being at a time when it is needed most.”