5K Fun Run In Kingstowne To Raise Awareness Of Mental Health Issues

KINGSTOWNE, VA — The ConnerStrong Foundation and Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk are hosting an inaugural 5K race and fun run in Kingstowne in March, with the goal of raising awareness to mental health issues and suicide prevention.

The You’re Not Alone 5K Fun Run will take place at the Kingstowne Shopping Center on Kingstowne Blvd. on March 25.

“I am excited to partner with the ConnerStrong Foundation on the fun run, which not only honors the memory of Conner but also raises awareness of the resources available in our community around mental health and food insecurity” Lusk said in a statement.

Celebrate Fairfax and Federal Realty are also partnering with the ConnerStrong Foundation and Lusk’s office in sponsoring the inaugural event.

In June 2107, the family of Connor launched the ConnorStrong Foundation to advance the discussion about mental health, especially in teens and young adults. Connor died by suicide in October 2016 at the age of 17.

“He was insanely handsome, was a fantastic athlete, and a good student,” the foundation says on its website. “Taking Conner’s memory, and turning our loss into something positive, this is the ConnerStrong way.”

Tom Worosz, president and founder of the ConnerStrong Foundation, thanked Lusk and Celebrate Fairfax for helping to bring the event to Kingstowne.

“There are so many resources within our community that focus on wellness, mental health, and suicide prevention; much of which is unknown to the residents,” Worosz said in a statement. “We hope that this event will provide awareness of the help and resources that are so very needed and help remove the stigma about mental health.”

Local community organizations will be at the event to provide wellness, mental health and suicide prevention goods and services. Organizers are also inviting participants to bring non-perishable food donations to the event. All proceeds from the event will go to two local community organizations, United Community and Koinonia, organizers said.

The race will begin and finish at the Kingstowne Shopping Center, near Giant Food, at 5870 Kingstowne Blvd. The race will start at 7:30 a.m. on March 25, with the event ending at 10 a.m.

Participants are invited to create teams to raise funds for the community organizations.

The public can visit the event website to register for the You’re Not Alone 5K Fun Run and learn about sponsorship opportunities.