You Matter 5K Aims to Shine Light on Mental Health

ZANESVILLE, OH – A race this weekend in Zanesville hopes to shed light on some very difficult topics.

The Muskingum County Youth Foundation and the Muskingum County Suicide Prevention Coalition are teaming up to host the You Matter 5K. The race will take place this Sunday on the Collegial Woods Trail, located behind the Ohio University Zanesville Campus.

Christy Rahrig, the Race Director, said they host the race around this time in the year to help promote happy and healthy feelings.

“We always strive to host [the race] in the Spring when the weather is getting warmer and we feel a little bit better about life and it’s a really good time especially as we’re nearing the end of the school year and going into Summer,” Rahrig said. “That you know there is hope , there is help, and if you’re going into some maybe not so happy thoughts or happy places with your own well-being, please don’t be afraid to reach out.”

The cost to register is $25 and all of the proceeds will be split between the CYF and the Suicide Prevention Coalition.

Rahrig says one of their goals with the Youth Foundation is to be able to help out and support other organizations that are also benefiting the youth here in our County.

She said this partnership for the race is the perfect representation of their goal.

“To partner with a local non-profit that is also actively trying to provide resources to those who really need those resources, I think it’s really empowering,” Rahrig said. “And it’s just part of our philanthropy of collaborating with other groups to try and make Muskingum County a better place to live. “

You can sign up for the 5K in a few different ways.

You can scan the QR code, register online at runsignup.com, or register in person the day of the race.