Love & Lean Walk/Run for Mental Health

LOVE yourself and know that your pain is real, but so is hope.     & LEAN on others (faith, family, friends, teachers, neighbors, co-workers, counselors, health care providers and community) for help, because the more you lean, the stronger you grow in mental fitness.   Join us on Saturday, April 27 for the 8th Annual Love & Lean Walk/Run for Mental Health!  This annual event was inspired by the loss of Zach Kroll, a sophomore at Zeeland East, who silently suffered from depression and died by suicide in 2015 at the age of 15. Zach’s family and friends desire to use this awareness event to reach out to others and make a positive impact in the community. It is so important to recognize the signs of mental illness and have the confidence to take action when helping yourself or others.  Our goal is to reduce the shame and secrecy surrounding mental illness so less people struggle silently and more people seek help.  Through raising mental health awareness, we will all learn how to be more involved and effective in saving lives. 3 OPTIONS! Run a 5K.  Walk a 5K.  Or, walk/run a shorter 1.5 mile route.  Physical activity is good for mental health! The route will have a variety of terrain, mainly consisting of sidewalks and bike paths throughout the sports complex and school property, as well as trails through the wetlands.  It will also be lined with memorial pictures, motivating interaction, sidewalk chalk inspiration, and encouraging message signs.   GATHERING LOCATION Zeeland High School Stadium (south side of parking lot) 9900 Riley Street Zeeland, MI 49464   TIME
8:15 AM        Check-In, Packet Pick Up & Late Registration 9:00 AM        Opening Remarks & Start   EARLY PACKET PICK-UP Friday, April 26, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Haven Church (541 Alice Street, Zeeland, MI  49464).  If you cannot make it Friday night, you can pick up your event packet when check-in begins at 8:15 AM on Saturday.   PROCEEDS All proceeds from this event will go to the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan to be used for continuing education related to mental health awareness and suicide prevention.  When used effectively, the be nice. action plan - to notice, invite, challenge, and empower - encourages individuals to challenge themselves and others to seek appropriate professional help when they notice mental health changes or concerns. This program equips individuals in schools, businesses, faith institutions, and communities with the knowledge and confidence to take action when it comes to mental health and suicide prevention.   MEMORIAL SIGNS If you would like a memorial sign placed along the walk to honor a loved one, please email [email protected] with a JPG picture and name by April 10.   TIMING Only the 5K route will be chip timed. Please wear your bib on the front of your shirt during the entire race.  Immediately after the event, your time for the 5K Walk/Run will be available on the website.   FAMILY DISCOUNT When registering 4 or more immediate family members for the 5K Walk/Run, each participant's registration fee will be discounted by $5. This does not apply to the 1.5 mile option.   SHIRTS Event long sleeve t-shirts are included with the 5K Walk/Run, and optional with the 1.5 Mile Walk for $20. EVENT SHIRT DEADLINE IS APRIL 15! Register by April 15 to be guaranteed an event shirt. Participants that register after April 15 are not guaranteed a shirt.    CREATE A TEAM   Create a team on the registration website and recruit people to sign up under that team name. For example - sign up to represent a church, company, athletic team, extra curricular group, school, class, or in memory of a loved one or friend.     CONNECT BEADS Feel connected as a community by wearing the personized bead colors that define your reason for raising mental health awareness. Beads will be available at the event while supplies last.   REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY We are unable to issue refunds. The registration fees help cover the investments and purchases involved with this event. We appreciate your understanding. The event will still be held, rain or shine.  However, in case of severe weather, please watch for an email or social media post regarding postponement or cancellation of event.   ARE PETS ALLOWED ON THE COURSE? Yes, but for the safety of all runners, we ask that you line up in the “walk” group after the runners have started.
IS THE ROUTE USATF CERTIFIED? No. We have done our best to map out a 3.1 mile 5K route and a shorter 1.5 mile route; however, it might not be exact.
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THE EVENT? Great! We'd love to have your help! Click on the VOLUNTEER link at the top of page.   INTERESTED IN BEING A SPONSOR? Please click on the DONATE tab at the top of website for more information.   REGISTER OR DONATE WITH CHECK? If you would prefer to donate by mail, please send check (made out to The Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan) to 2940 100th Avenue, Zeeland, MI  49464.   REFRESHMENTS We encourage everyone to stay and enjoy post-event refreshments.   GOOD MENTAL HEALTH IS A GOAL
Mental health is just as important as physical health and is part of a winning game plan. Zach's cousin, Keaton, died suddenly, at the age of 16, during a soccer game in 2019 from blood clots in his lungs.  Keaton was an avid soccer player who loved unconditionally and never left anyone out.  He noticed when someone was struggling and was always willing to help.  He embraced the be nice. action plan to Notice - Invite - Challenge - Empower when he saw someone hurting. Both Zach & Keaton loved a good cup of coffee.  When you use your free Biggby drink coupon (found in your resource bag), remember to #lovelikekeaton to make a #zakimpact as you #loveandlean for mental health.   STRIKE A POSE Stop by the be nice. backdrop. Choose a prop, smile for the camera and show your support for mental health.   QUESTIONS? Email questions to [email protected].   SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow us at: Instagram - zakimpact15 Facebook – ZAKimpact