Suicide Awareness Virtual 5k, 10k, Half Marathon Run/Walk

September 6–12, 2026 is National Suicide Prevention Week — a time dedicated to bringing a difficult but vital conversation into the light. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in our country and the 2nd leading cause of death among youth ages 10–24. By participating in this virtual race, you’re doing more than logging miles — you’re helping break stigma, spark conversation, and show that no one has to struggle alone.

This is a fully virtual event, which means you can complete your 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon from anywhere, at any pace, and on your own schedule during race week. Walk your neighborhood, run your favorite trail, use a treadmill, or gather friends and family for a meaningful group effort. However you choose to move, every step helps raise awareness and support a cause that impacts millions of lives.

Whether you participate in honor of someone, in memory of a loved one, or simply to stand in support of mental health awareness, your participation matters. Together, even from miles apart, we can make a powerful impact.

How To Complete The Race

• Choose your distance — 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon
• Receive your digital race bib by email to print at home
• Complete your distance anytime during race week — outdoors, indoors, solo, or with friends
• Track your time if you’d like using any fitness app or device (optional)
• Submit your time to see how you place overall and download your finisher certificate
• Receive your commemorative medal (and shirt if purchased) shipped directly to your home
• Join the Virtual Runs for a Purpose Facebook Group to share and celebrate with other participants.

You can complete your miles all at once or break them up over several days. You can walk, jog, or run. You can even create or join a team, with each member participating on their own time and at their own chosen distance.

Most importantly, this event is about participation, awareness, and support — not speed. Whether it takes you 30 minutes or several days, every step you take helps bring attention to a cause that truly matters.

What Your Registration Includes

Your registration is more than an entry — it’s a way to show support, start conversations, and be part of a nationwide movement during National Suicide Prevention Week. When you sign up, you’ll receive:

• A Suicide Awareness finisher medal shipped directly to your home
• A personalized digital race bib to print and wear on your run or walk
• A personalized finisher certificate once you complete your distance
• Optional time submission to see how you placed among other participants
• Access to our online community where participants share photos, stories, and encouragement throughout race week

Whether you participate quietly on your own or share your journey with others, these items serve as a meaningful reminder that you took action to support suicide awareness and mental health advocacy.

Participate in Honor, In Memory, or In Support

Many participants choose to dedicate their miles to someone special. You may be walking in memory of a loved one, running in honor of someone’s journey, or participating to show your support for mental health awareness.

Consider sharing a photo and story, or taking a quiet moment of reflection during your race. These personal tributes are a powerful way to turn movement into meaning and help keep important conversations going.

If you feel comfortable, we encourage you to share your “why” with our community during race week. Your story may be the encouragement someone else needs to feel less alone.

However you choose to participate, know that your steps are part of something bigger — a collective effort to bring visibility, compassion, and hope to those impacted by suicide and mental health challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I have to track my time? How do I track it?
No. Tracking your time is completely optional. You can use any fitness watch, treadmill display, or free mobile app if you’d like to record your time, but it is not required to participate.

• Do I have to submit my time to receive my medal?
No. All registered participants will receive their medal. Time submission is only needed if you would like to see how you placed overall and download your finisher certificate.

• Do I have to complete the distance all at once?
No. You are welcome to break up your distance over multiple days during race week.

• Can I walk instead of run?
Absolutely. You can walk, jog, or run at your own pace. This event is about awareness and participation — not speed.

• Can my friends or family participate with me?
Yes! You can create or join a team. Team members do not need to be in the same location and can complete their race on their own schedule.

• Do all team members have to choose the same distance?
No. Each participant can select the distance that works best for them.

• How do I get my race bib?
Your bib will be emailed to you after registration with a link to download and print at home. You’ll be assigned a personalized bib number automatically.

• Is this race timed or competitive?
This is primarily a participation-based awareness event. If you choose to submit your time, you’ll be able to see how you placed compared to other participants, but competition is not the focus.

• When will medals and shirts ship?
Medals will begin shipping in August and continue through race week. Shirts are optional and are ordered separately after you register. On your registration confirmation page, you’ll see a link to place your shirt order through our print partner. You’ll also receive a follow-up email with this same link and instructions. Each shirt is made to order and ships directly to you within 7–10 business days of placing your order.