UVU’s 4.01K Race to Retirement Champions Financial Literacy for Utahns

   

A group of UVU student volunteers and mascots pose for a photo under a bright orange inflatable arch at the 4.01K Race to Retirement. The UVU Wolverine mascot and a green frog mascot stand in the center, with snow-capped mountains visible in the background.In celebration of National Financial Literacy Month, Utah Valley University’s Woodbury School of Business hosted its second annual 4.01K Race to Retirement, drawing in hundreds of community members ready to lace up and learn.

More than just a fun run, the 4.01K Race offers a unique blend of wellness and financial education—inviting participants to take literal and figurative steps toward a secure financial future. Hosted by UVU’s nationally ranked Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Program and sponsored by Fidelity Investments, the event is designed to raise awareness about the importance of early, consistent retirement planning and maxing out your 401 (k) contributions.

Onsite booths offered resources on budgeting, saving, and maximizing 401(k) contributions, while UVU students and faculty helped engage runners with games, tools, and tips to make financial planning more accessible.

“According to the Survey of Consumer Finances, half of Americans have NOTHING saved for retirement. Our motivation for hosting the 4.01k fun run is to educate Utahns to max their match on their workplace 401(k) plan and invest the money so they can win their own Race to Retirement," said Dr. Luke Dean, a professor in the UVU Personal Financial Planning program. 

“UVU is leading the way in helping Utahns understand not just the ‘why’ of retirement planning—but the ‘how,’” said Dr. Rachel Bi, Chair of the Finance and Economics Department. “Whether someone is just starting their first job or managing long-term wealth, our programs offer valuable tools at every stage of financial life.”

The event also highlighted the services of UVU’s Money Success Center, a free resource that provides one-on-one financial coaching, budgeting workshops, and long-term planning support to UVU students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding community.

UVU’s Wolverine mascot proudly holds up a 4.01K Race to Retirement T-shirt featuring a colorful mountain and trail design. Participants walk by in the background at the event’s finish area.

Jenna Smith, a PFP major and one of the event’s student leaders, saw firsthand the difference financial literacy can make:

“After the 4.01K Race, people didn’t just leave with a T-shirt—they left with real answers. Between the amazing coaches from the Money Success Center and the licensed Fidelity employees on-site, participants had access to real financial guidance and support. That is how the 4.01K makes a real difference!”

A smiling UVU student volunteer hands a donut to another attendee at the 4.01K Race to Retirement. Green balloons and a sign reading “The finish line is just the start” are visible in the background.In addition to offering hands-on financial education, the race serves as a platform to showcase UVU’s Personal Financial Planning Program, ranked among the top three in the nation. The program trains students to become professionals who can guide others through critical life decisions, from building wealth to planning for retirement.

“We’re proud to be training the next generation of professionals who will help others ‘win the race’ to retirement,” said Professor Dean. “Events like this are just one way we bring financial planning to life in meaningful, impactful ways.”

Click here learn more about UVU’s Personal Financial Planning program: https://www.uvu.edu/woodbury/finance-economics/programs/personal-financial-planning.html 

 
 
 

Read More