Join us for this awesome Glow in the Dark Virtual 5k! Invest in your own mental and physical health by completing a 5k, learn and spread mental health awareness, and support Beacon of Hope! Beacon of Hope is a non-profit counseling agency, which provides barrier free counseling at no-cost. Our hope is to raise over $21,000 dollars, providing more than 700 individual counseling sessions.
THE WHY:
There’s SO much stigma around mental health, stigma that’s literally deadly. According the the health department, suicide rates in Michigan have increased 150% in the past 10 years, and suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death of people aged 10-34 in the US. That’s right, this isn’t just something adults struggle with. In Ottawa county, 1 in 5 teens have seriously considered taking their lives, and ⅔ of those were less than 16 years old. The National Suicide Hotline reported 1000% increase of calls during COVID. And that doesn’t even take into account lives lost due to eating disorders, substance abuse, or domestic violence. All of those deaths could have been prevented. According to the National Alliance of Mental Health,1 in 5 adults struggle with mental health in some way, yet less than half seek help due to stigma.
Due to COVID-19, we're making some changes to ensure that our Be the Light - Glow in the Dark 5k is as safe and fun as possible! We're going virtual!
Here's why that's awesome for you:
Run wherever you are! Run on your own time! You're now welcome to run anytime between September 6, 2020 and September 19, 2020, though we still encourage you to be the light by running at night. Not a runner? Complete the 5k however you want! Walk, bike, swim, canoe, pogostick, whatever mode you choose to be the light over 3.1 miles. You're still spreading mental health awareness and supporting Beacon of Hope while investing in your own physical and mental health. The event will still be timed! We'll send you an app link to submit to our race website to see if you're a top finisher. While we can't all run together, we encourage you to still Be the Light with others! Invite your friends, family and church groups to run with you and help spread mental health awareness.
Unisex tech shirts will be given to all participants whose registration is received by August 21, 2020 and as supplies last after that date. Sizes offered include: youth S-L and adult S-XXXL. Packet pick up is currently scheduled for Friday, September 4th from 4pm-8pm. If you are unable to pick-up your packet, please reach out to beaconofhope.communication@gmail.com.
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Additional race information can be found at http://www.beaconhope.net/5k.
Live Phone Tracking, GPS Progress Alerts and Cheers!
We are providing you with RaceJoy as part of the official race experience for the Be the Light - Glow in the Dark Virtual 5K for Mental Health Awareness.
Download the RaceJoy mobile app in advance to ensure proper phone setup. Invite your friends and family to track you and send you cheers!
Some key RaceJoy features include:
Like this page and invite your friends on Facebook.
Please complete the following survey to help us better understand your race experience.
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