CEO works on goal to complete 60 5K events this year
By Julie Cornell
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OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — She wears rhinestone covered visors, visits with everyone, and walks at an impressive clip.
Andee Hoig, a publisher and CEO of the Midlands Business Journal in Omaha, is celebrating her 60th birthday by walking 60 5K races this year, combining self-growth, charity, and sparkle.
“At the end of the day, it’s truly about self-discovery,” Hoig said.
On Sunday, she participated in the Boxer 500 at Werner Park, one of the many races she has planned for the year. For Hoig, the events are not about competition.
“It is truly about showing up and supporting a charity, connecting with people, and moving your body,” she said.
Hoig says she’s not a runner.
Ten years ago, Hoig turned to walking as a way to manage stress from her demanding career.
“I work all the time, and it was something that got me out of the work piece of my life, which is important for people,” she said.
Approaching her hobby with the same precision she applies to her work, Hoig keeps track of her races like a CEO.
“I’ve got an Excel sheet, making sure I’ve got all my ducks in a row,” she said.
Her races are anything but business casual. Hoig embraces sparkle and flair, donning boas, visors, glasses, and other bedazzled accessories.
“I’ve always been sparkly,” she said.
She invites friends to join her and collects medals from each race.
“I love medals,” Hoig said. This year, she plans to complete all 60 races at her own pace, walking each one.
“These are challenging, and back in the day, I was always concerned that I was last,” Hoig said. Hoig ultimately donates thousands of dollars to dozens of causes and meets interesting people along the way.
Over time, her perspective has shifted, and she’s learned that joy isn’t about where you finish.
“I finally had an aha moment. Because it doesn’t matter where you come in. It matters that you show up,” she said.
For Hoig, the races are about challenging herself and experiencing life in 3.1-mile increments. She points out that in daily life, there’s no cheering at the finish line or medals handed out, but races offer a unique opportunity to celebrate effort and accomplishment.
“No matter where you are in the race, people are cheering as you cross. They are giving you a medal,” she said.
Hoig encourages others to seek out “medal moments” in life and create them for themselves and others.
“I keep telling myself to show up. That’s the magic in life,” she said.
So far, Hoig has completed 30 of her 60 planned races, with 30 more to go before the end of the year.
You can join Hoig’s journey and catch up with her at various events by going to My 5k Journey on Facebook.
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