Bellin Health Oconto Hospital - Oconto, 2025 Community Benefits
Fitness Fun: Record-Setting 5K, Third Kids Triathlon Getting Patients, Communities Moving
Emplify Health by Bellin Oconto Hospital and partner clinics in Northeast Wisconsin are intensifying their push to get residents moving — and seeing their efforts pay off with record numbers for one event and continued strong participation for another.
The fourth annual Bellin 5K Heart Run/Walk drew a record 740 participants to the Emplify Health by Bellin Marinette Clinic in May 2025, marking a celebration of heart-healthy activity that is increasing in popularity year over year. With the option to run or walk the 5K, take part in the 1-mile community walk, jump in with the younger set for the children’s run or mark a recovery milestone with the Celebration Walk, the event truly offers something for everyone, said Race Director and Emplify Health by Bellin Cardiac Rehab Exercise Physiologist Brian Cleven.
“One of the best things about this event is it provides a chance for everyone to get involved, no matter what their fitness level or ultimate health goals,” Cleven said. “Watching the community come together to celebrate movement — and have a great time doing it — is extremely gratifying and I am so grateful to everyone who comes together to make it happen.”
A few months later and a bit farther south, another event designed to make movement fun celebrated its third year, as nearly 100 young triathletes swam, biked and ran for the finish during the annual Emplify Health by Bellin Kids Triathlon. Held at Bellin Health Fitness Oconto, the event featured four distances based on age and ability, giving kids ages 3 to 14 the chance to build confidence while setting and achieving a goal — and have a great time doing it. To ensure financial concerns wouldn’t keep any child who wanted to from participating, event organizers offered scholarships to cover registration costs for those in need.
“This event is about including all kids who want to be a part of it, no matter what their age, speed or ability to pay,” said Kasey Ermis, Team Leader, Fitness and Business Operations, Emplify Health by Bellin Oconto Hospital. “Our community health needs assessment has identified physical activity as an area of focus, and our Kids Tri helps teach kiddos that fitness is fun — and gets them on the path to developing lifelong healthy habits around movement.”
The Heart Run/Walk and Kids Triathlon continue a proud history of community fitness events for Bellin Health, now Emplify Health by Bellin. The Bellin Women’s Half Marathon celebrated its 11th installment in October 2025, and the iconic Bellin Run will mark an incredible 50 years running in June 2026.
The fourth annual Bellin 5K Heart Run/Walk drew a record 740 participants to the Emplify Health by Bellin Marinette Clinic in May 2025, marking a celebration of heart-healthy activity that is increasing in popularity year over year. With the option to run or walk the 5K, take part in the 1-mile community walk, jump in with the younger set for the children’s run or mark a recovery milestone with the Celebration Walk, the event truly offers something for everyone, said Race Director and Emplify Health by Bellin Cardiac Rehab Exercise Physiologist Brian Cleven.
“One of the best things about this event is it provides a chance for everyone to get involved, no matter what their fitness level or ultimate health goals,” Cleven said. “Watching the community come together to celebrate movement — and have a great time doing it — is extremely gratifying and I am so grateful to everyone who comes together to make it happen.”
A few months later and a bit farther south, another event designed to make movement fun celebrated its third year, as nearly 100 young triathletes swam, biked and ran for the finish during the annual Emplify Health by Bellin Kids Triathlon. Held at Bellin Health Fitness Oconto, the event featured four distances based on age and ability, giving kids ages 3 to 14 the chance to build confidence while setting and achieving a goal — and have a great time doing it. To ensure financial concerns wouldn’t keep any child who wanted to from participating, event organizers offered scholarships to cover registration costs for those in need.
“This event is about including all kids who want to be a part of it, no matter what their age, speed or ability to pay,” said Kasey Ermis, Team Leader, Fitness and Business Operations, Emplify Health by Bellin Oconto Hospital. “Our community health needs assessment has identified physical activity as an area of focus, and our Kids Tri helps teach kiddos that fitness is fun — and gets them on the path to developing lifelong healthy habits around movement.”
The Heart Run/Walk and Kids Triathlon continue a proud history of community fitness events for Bellin Health, now Emplify Health by Bellin. The Bellin Women’s Half Marathon celebrated its 11th installment in October 2025, and the iconic Bellin Run will mark an incredible 50 years running in June 2026.
