MARION, Ill. — More than 200 runners and walkers are anticipated to take part in Centerstone’s fourth annual Life;Story 5K event for suicide prevention.
Life;Story Illinois 5K takes place Saturday, Sept. 26, at Ray Fosse Park in Marion, with the race beginning at 8 a.m. The event also includes a kids dash race for kids with medals for all who attend.
Runners receive a Life;Story T-shirt, a finishers’ medal, a customized race bib and a goodie bag. There are awards for the fastest finishers by age group.
A health and wellness expo will feature local nonprofit and health care organizations with availability to answer questions about the services they provide. All proceeds from the Illinois Life;Story event benefit Centerstone’s mental health services in southern Illinois, helping ensure mental health care remains accessible to anyone in need.
“This is not just a race where you run, you leave and then you don’t hear from us for a year,” Centerstone Race Director Jason Greenspan said. “Life;Story is about building a community for suicide prevention in southern Illinois, and our runners are invited to set fundraising goals.”
Ray Fosse Park serves as the starting point and the finish line, but the race course will take runners on a loop around a neighborhood. The course has just 40 feet of elevation gain and 20 turns, which should allow serious racers the chance to set good times.
“It’s all residential streets, so runners will go past a lot of homes,” Greenspan said. “The race has the feel of a true community 5K because you’re running through neighborhoods the whole time.”
If you don’t want to run or walk but still want to help the cause of suicide prevention, you can serve as a race day volunteer by visiting https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Marion/CenterstoneLifeStory and clicking on the button marked “Volunteer.”
“We encourage runners to bring their family and friends to cheer them on, and we encourage anyone who wants to honor family and friends who have lost their lives to come attend,” Greenspan said.
There will also be an untimed 5K satellite event in Godfrey on the same date and time at Glazebrook Park. Those interested in participating can use the same registration link. The event also offers a virtual option for anyone who can’t physically be present on race day.
Life;Story 5K walk/run for suicide prevention
Registration: https://centerstone.org/lifestory/
Saturday, Sept. 26, 8 a.m.
Ray Fosse Park
500 E Deyoung St, Marion, Ill.
Glazebrook Park
1401 Stamper Ln., Godfrey, IL 62035
About Centerstone: Centerstone is the largest nonprofit behavioral health organization in the United States. With more than 10,000 team members working at 360 locations in communities across the country, Centerstone provides healing and hope to people of all ages through mental health services, addiction care and social supports. Centerstone is a leader in operations for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Centerstone’s Foundation secures philanthropic resources to support the work and mission of delivering care that changes lives. Learn more at Centerstone.org.