FOLEY – More than 150 injured veterans, first responders and their supporters will participate in the UnitedHealthcare Gulf Coast Challenge, a six-day therapeutic bicycle ride from Tallahassee to New Orleans.

The Challenge, from March 5 to 10, 2018, will cover more than 450 miles in support veterans and first responders.

The veteran and first-responder cyclists will begin in Tallahassee Monday, March 5 and finish in New Orleans, LA Saturday, March 12, with overnight stops in Panama City and Walton Beach FL, Orange Beach and Mobile AL and Gulfport, MS.

On Thursday, March 8 the veteran and first-responder cyclists will make a stop at OWA located at 1050 North Owa Boulevard, Foley, Alabama. OWA is inviting residents and visitors to join in the celebration by lining the streets of the resort to welcome the cyclist. Spectators should arrive by 9:30 AM to take their positions and get prepared to cheer on the heroes. Free American flags and bells will be distributed; however, spectators are encouraged to make their own signs in spirit of community support.

“It is an honor to be included as a stop along the UnitedHealthcare Gulf Coast Challenge cycling route,” said Kristin Hellmich, OWA Director of Public Relations. “In the true spirit of OWA hospitality, we would like to extend a big welcome to these heroes’ as they stop to rest and refuel. To celebrate the cyclist arrival, we are inviting the public to join us for the festivities by lining the main entrance of OWA (located off Foley Beach Express) and give these heroes’ the welcome they deserve.”

The 2018 UnitedHealthcare Gulf Coast Challenge is a non-competitive therapeutic bike tour. Traveling by historic sites, civic centers and local attractions, the cyclists ride hand cycles, recumbent cycles, custom tandems and traditional road bikes. The public is invited to gather along the ride routes, at lunch stops and hotels to support the cyclists.

For daily routes, stops and events, or to register as a single- or multiple-day public rider for the UnitedHealthcare Gulf Coast Challenge, visit www.projecthero.org.

“The Challenge Series combines cycling comradery and peer-to-peer interaction to help veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD and TBI meet challenges, achieve goals and build lasting relationships,” said John Wordin, president and founder of Project Hero. “The multiple-day format gives Healing Heroes a unique opportunity for a life-changing experience that supports mental and physical rehabilitation, and recovery.” A former professional cyclist, Wordin rides in every Project Hero Challenge Series.

2018 UnitedHealthcare Challenge Series Schedule

In addition to the UnitedHealthcare Gulf Coast Challenge, the 2018 UnitedHealthcare Challenge schedule includes the UnitedHealthcare Texas Challenge April 15-21, the UnitedHealthcare Memorial Challenge May 27-June 2, the UnitedHealthcare Army-Navy Challenge September 8–15 and the UnitedHealthcare California Challenge October 13-20.

About Project Hero

Founded in 2008, Project Hero is a groundbreaking national non-profit organization dedicated to helping Veterans and First Responders affected by PTSD, TBI and injury achieve rehabilitation, recovery and resilience in their daily lives and increasing awareness of the national mental health crisis posed by PTSD and TBI. Project Hero programs produce positive outcomes at lower costs and reduce drug-based therapies. Project Hero builds and provides adaptive bikes to physically-challenged and injured Veterans and First Responders and has helped tens of thousands of our Healing Heroes at no cost to participants through cycling events, community-based programs in more than 50 cities throughout the US and by supporting research. For information, visit www.projecthero.org.

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with 1 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.