May 27, 2016
Mental illness affects one out of every four Americans. In an effort to bring awareness to this serious issue and to provide a hopeful message for all people affected by mental health challenges, the sixth annual Mike's Run will take place Saturday, June 25, at the Steve J. Miller Recreation Area in Marshfield.
Registration for the 5-mile race or 2-mile walk is now open. Participants can register and donate online. Cash prizes are awarded following the 5-mile run for the top finishers.
Proceeds benefit mental health awareness and initiatives at Marshfield Clinic. Funding from Mike's Run has been used for community education, professional conferences, mental health support groups, suicide prevention training, and many other services through Marshfield Clinic's behavioral health department and Center for Community Outreach.
Al Nystrom has been chairman of this event since his family and friends started Mike's Run six years ago.
"We are inspired by the memory of Mike Hackman, a close friend of our family who took his own life after a lifelong battle with mental illness," Nystrom said. "After Mike's death, his brother Mark approached me with the idea of holding a run/walk in Mike's memory. I immediately approached Marshfield Clinic to ask for their support, and we have been working together ever since."
Since 2010, friends and family of Hackman have partnered with Marshfield Clinic to raise more than $135,000 to support mental health education.
"This sort of impact doesn't happen without amazing partnerships and Marshfield Clinic is incredibly grateful to the Nystrom and Hackman families, as well as the entire Mike's Run committee, for their continued commitment to improving the lives of those living with mental illness," said Tiffany Halan, manager of operations & special events at Marshfield Clinic Development.
Nystrom believes there is great power in more than 400 people joining together for a common cause.
"Mike's Run is a statement that you need not battle mental illness alone," he said. "Mental illness is poorly understood and often stigmatized in our society. This event helps us educate our community, which will lead to more compassion and care for those who are struggling with this illness."
For more information or to volunteer or sponsor, contact Anna Griesbach, special events coordinator at Marshfield Clinic Development, at
griesbach.anna@marshfieldclinic.org.
Marshfield Clinic provides patient care, research and education with more than 50 locations in northern, central and western Wisconsin, making it one of the largest comprehensive medical systems in the United States.
