Light for Kara 5K for Maternal Mental Health

Our events are dedicated in Memory of Kara Kovlakas. Our goal is to raise awareness for Maternal Mental Health. We are benefiting the Connecticut Chapter of Postpartum Support International and Malta House. 

Did you know that 1 in 7 women will experience a Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) during pregnancy or postpartum?Postpartum Depression is the #1 complication of childbirth!  Dads and non-carrying partners can get PMADs too.  

Following the passing of her sister, Kara Kovlakas, in October 2016, Lauren Shrage and her family have strived to make sense of their families loss and find purpose in Kara's life and death.  Kara struggled with postpartum mood instability following the birth of her second child and succumbed to her illness.  in August 2017, Lauren launched the Light for Kara website (www.lightforkara.com)  Lauren and Kara's family hope to bring awareness to Maternal Mental Health and the need to better support our mothers and families in CT through our 5k run and our one mile walk.  

Started as a grassroots alliance to increase services and resources for moms and families during pregnancy and the postpartum period, Postpartum Support International Connecticut Chapter (www.psictchapter.com) became the first state chapter of Postpartum Support International LLC (www.postpartum.net) in July 2016.  PSI-CT is an all volunteer not for profit organization with the mission to promote awareness, treatment, and prevention for perinatal well-being throughout Connecticut.  PSI-CT provides support to mothers and families during the perinatal period (pregnancy and postpartum) through phone and email peer support, databases of support groups and providers in CT, as well as other resources for moms and families.  Everyone knows a mom, dad or family who has experienced struggles during pregnancy, after a baby's birth, or the loss of a baby.  We hope you will consider becoming a PSI-CT member (www.psictchapter.com/membership) and volunteer to help us help Connecticut's moms, dads and families.  

Malta House, Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Fairfield County. (https://www.maltahouse.org/) Our mission is to promote the dignity of God-given life by providing a nurturing home environment, support services and independent living skills to pregnant and parenting mothers of all faiths and their children. Since opening our doors in 1998, we have welcomed over 600 mothers and babies to our home. Malta House is the only home for pregnant women above the age of 18 in Fairfield County, and one of a limited number of programs for young homeless mothers and their babies. We have been blessed by the grateful support of many individuals, businesses and organizations whose kind generosity has helped make a significant difference in changing the change the course of women's lives and the future of their babies.

Our events include a 5k (3.1mi) timed run & walk, a one mile untimed walk and a free kids run. Participants in the 5k are eligible to compete for overall and age group prizes. The one mile walk does not offer awards. The kids runs are non-competitive and open to 11 yrs old and younger only.

Pre Registered fees: $30 for the 5k & the one miler for ages 19 and over, $20 for ages 18 and under. The kids run ages 11 & younger is free. Please try to pre register to save AND to guarantee a commemorative shirt by 8/14/19.

Both our 5k & one-mile courses start and finish at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk. They are flat, scenic and very family-friendly. All abilities are welcome in both events. We do allow baby strollers on the course but keeping a safe distance from other participants is a must!

Course Maps (open in chrome):

Light for Kara 5k course map

Light for Kara 1 mile walk course map

Paid participants will receive a commemorative shirt. You will also be treated to snacks and fluids after you finish. Early pre reg pickup will be determined and notification will be sent out as well as posted on this site. There is plenty of free parking at the beach. Please note that town law prohibits animals at the beach- even in the car.

Event Schedule-

Sunday 8/25-

7:00am- pre reg pickup opens - closes by 8:25 am

8:00am- free kids fun run

8:20 am - Race Announcements

8:30am- START of the 5K RUN or walk event. This is a COMPUTER TIMED distance. 

8:30am- Start of the one mile UNTIMED, WALK ONLY event. Walk will start immediately after the 5k.

9:30am- refreshments and awards to follow

MS Running Productions (Marty Schaivone) is providing management and support for The Light for Kara events. MSRP directs over 45 events which contribute over a quarter of a million dollars annually to charities. The MSRP 2019 schedule can be found at www.hitekracing.com/msrunning  

The 5k event is computer timed by Jim Gerweck- Club Connecticut. Jim times and directs nearly 100 events each year in Fairfield County and beyond.