THUNDER BAY – The Take it in Strides Run in support of mental health and suicide prevention was held on Sunday at Bouelvard Lake.
The run commemorated those who have lost their life to suicide, and those who continue to struggle with suicidal ideation.
Participants were able to walk 3km, run 5 or 10km or participate virtually with any physical activity.
Connor Remus, co-founder of Take it in Strides, said this is the second annual event, and hopes to run it year after year.
“The thing about this event is, it stemmed from tragedy. I lost someone very special to me because of suicide two years ago, his name is Joey.
“I went through mourning and different emotions. Then I kind of got angry when I found out that there wasn't anything really being done to facilitate or help finance programs and resources for people who are struggling.”
Remus said he has been a big runner all of his life.
“I thought what better way to bring the community together than to have a run that, as you can tell, people will come out to donate for.”
Funds raised will be donated to Canadian Mental Health Association or the Children's Centre Foundation locally, he said.
“We set the bar extremely high last year. We had over 300 participants.”
The run raised over $52,000 last year, and Remus hopes to raise around the same amount this year.
“As of this morning, we had almost 400 people registered and that's virtually or on site - walkers and runners. I'm just blown away.”
Events supporting the prevention of suicide and mental health are of huge importance, he said.
“People go on living their day to day lives and maybe are struggling with mental health, but don't understand the resources or the community that’s here to help them. This is what this is for.
“We're here to showcase to all the people here that this is a community and we're here to support people,” he said.
Remus said the thing about mental health is that it's both mental and physical.
“If working out, running, keeping your body physically healthy is a key importance. You have to do that mentally too, right?
“Connecting physical health with mental health is very important.”
Erin Hartviksen participated in the run along with co-workers from city police.
“We see, every day, people struggling with mental illness. We want to participate, raise some money knowing that it's going to be a positive impact to everyone in the community that needs mental health support.”
Hartviksen said it’s unfortunate, but almost everyone can relate.
“Everyone knows somebody that struggled with mental illness, has attempted to take their life or has committed suicide.
“It's incredible to see this many people. It's also incredibly sad, but it's nice to know that we have so much support running, walking with us,” she said.
Meghann McDonough participated in the 5km run to show her support for the cause.
“First and foremost, it's always great to support local events and Connor Remus himself. But I think the biggest issue right now is the rise of mental health issues in not only our community but in the world itself.”
McDonough said it was incredible to see the turnout.
“It's the beginning of the fall right now, it's a great morning. It just goes to show all the local people that do want to help the cause.”
For more information on the run, visit Take it In Strides website.
