ONLINE REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
You can sign up ($40 CASH ONLY) at Feet First Thursday night at packet pick up or race day at the Oakland Mills High track starting at 6pm.
Click HERE to make a donation (over $2,500 collected as of 3/27/24 – thanks so much).
About this event:
The 3rd Annual Light the Night 5K is an event that raises awareness for suicide and suicide prevention resources in our community. With your participation and help from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Maryland Chapter (AFSP), Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, the Howard County Department of Health, the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, and Bullseye Running, the Light the Night 5K will be more than just a race, it will serve as a county-wide acknowledgment that we support and care for those impacted by suicide.
In 2020, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reported that suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death in people ages 10-34 in Maryland. This is very tragic, and we would like to change this. Last year alone, we were able to raise over $10,000, with the profits donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Maryland and the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center in support of their mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP is the largest private funder of suicide prevention research, creates and hosts educational programs, leads public policy efforts around mental health, and provides support for suicide loss survivors. Grassroots operates a 24-hour crisis intervention and supportive counseling hotline; individuals may call for a variety of reasons including suicide, family and relationship problems, shelter needs, violent or threatening domestic situations, and more.
Cash donations will be accepted at the event. There will also be activities for non-runners, suicide prevention resource packets, and fun take-home items such as bracelets and keychains from various organizations in our community. We hope to see you there! If you can’t make it, consider showing your support by donating to the cause HERE.
Email Event Coordinator Aubrey Heiges at aubrey.heiges@gmail.com with any questions or interest in sponsoring the event*
Packet + Shirt Pick-up:
Thursday, March 21st from 5 – 7 pm at Feet First (5305 Village Center Dr #110, Columbia, MD 21044)
Schedule:
6:00 – 6:30pm: Late packet + shirt pickup and event set-up
6:30 – 6:50pm: Speeches by community stakeholders who are active in suicide prevention
6:50 – 7:00pm: Final stretches and start line placement
7:00pm: 5k race STARTS