PANAMA CITY BEACH — Before competing on the NBC reality show “The Biggest Loser” five years ago, Dan and Jackie Evans would have never fathomed running a half marathon.
“To think of running a half marathon, it was like, ‘are you kidding me?’” Jackie Evans said. “I would think, I have a perfectly good car, why would I run 13 miles?”
But since losing a combined 225 pounds on the show, the mother-son duo have completed more than 35 half marathons and will tack on a couple more during the second annual Biggest Loser Run/Walk in Panama City Beach Sunday.
The event is part of the nationwide Biggest Loser Race Series, which challenges people across the country to make a change, and will feature a half-marathon, 5K and a one-mile kid’s fun run.
“It’s really built around is to be a non-intimidating race environment that is welcome to all race levels,” Dan Evans said. “It’s just a great chance to get the entire family out moving and active.”
This year, the race will start and finish at Frank Brown Park, with the half-marathon starting at 8 a.m., 5K at 8:20 a.m. and one-mile fun run at noon. Registration can be completed at www.biggestloserrunwalk.com/ or on during race packet pick-up at the Edgewater Conference Center Dec. 28 for $99.
Participation in this year’s race has more than doubled from last year, with competitors from 44 states and three different countries.
The event is one of the Biggest Loser’s “premier destination” races, which promotes the race as a worthy place to travel to, and the Evans said the Panama City Beach race draws more participation than any other.
This year’s race also drew more former contestants from The Biggest Loser.
As a precursor to the race, a Health and Wellness Meet and Greet will be held Saturday at Edgewater Beach Resort, where former Biggest Loser contestants will share their stories of success and offer advice on how to stay healthy.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Biggest Loser contestants Gina McDonald, Jackson Carter, Francelina Morillo, Jeff Nichols and Pam Giel from Season 14, Danny Cahill from Season 8, and Dan and Jackie Evans from Season 5.
The event will begin at 11:30 a.m., with the last meet and greet with Dan and Jackie beginning at 3:15 p.m.
Dan Evans said one of the most rewarding things about being involved in the race series is having the chance to inspire people across the country to better their lives.
“You realize the true reach of a show like the biggest loser,” he said. “We meet tens and thousands of people across the country at these events that have truly amazing stories to share.”
