Virtual Mental Health Walk/Run

Children’s Centre Foundation, Canadian Mental Health Thunder Bay Branch and ThunderCon are calling upon all action heroes to grab their capes, cosplay, costumes and assemble from May 1-9, 2021 to virtually walk, run, or roll in support of Mental Health Week 2021.

How much does it cost?

Registering, participating and sharing your progress is done on raceroster.com. Registrations fees are as follows:

1KM $20 Individual or Family – not competing or submitting times

5KM $30

10KM $40

21KM $50

42KM $60

What if I can’t participate on May 1?

That’s ok! Register anytime between April 16^th and May 9^th, choose your distance, wear your bib, and walk, run, scooter, roll, bike, etc. whenever you can between May 1 to 9, 2021. Log your distance with Race Roster and share your photos with the hashtags #ActionHeroSquad, #TeamMentalHealth, and #MentalHealthWeek on social media.

Can we dress up?

Yes! Grab your costumes, capes, cosplay, anime, action heroes, superheroes or favourite video game characters and assemble! Run, walk, roll, scooter, bike or even walk your dog. Don’t forget to share your photos on social media by tagging #ActionHeroSquad, #TeamMentalHealth, and #MentalHealthWeek.

Is there any virtual walk/run swag?

Of course – what’s a race without some swag? You can download your starter kit with bib and sign from race roster. After the virtual walk prizes will be awarded to top individual and team fundraisers, top individual and team distances, etc…

How do you know I really did a 5K or 10K?

Frankly, we don’t. But we trust you – that’s what community is all about. We’ll be following along with everyone who posts on social media, so be sure to share your experience and use #ActionHeroSquad, #TeamMentalHealth, and #MentalHealthWeek. We’ll also be sending race bibs to everyone who registers.

If you do not want to report your final time or distance to us, you don’t have to. That’s OK too! This event is meant to inspire us all to exercise a little more, not stress you or anyone out with logistics. Be proud of yourself for promoting good mental health during mental health week 2021.

And, if you are looking to connect with other walkers or runners, we created a Facebook event page here: https://fb.me/e/24csiCmMs.

Here walkers and runners can share training tips, photos and offer support to each other.

Can I walk with a group? Or with my work?

Yes! When you sign up, you’ll have the option to join or create a team, which works great for friends, coworkers, or other groups who want to sign up and walk together. (By the way, by wearing costumes, action hero gear, cosplay, etc., you look more like a team!) But if you want to walk with people without creating a team, don’t sweat it—it’s a completely optional feature. People completing outdoors activities must follow the directions of their local provincial or territorial governments and respect the rules around physical distancing at all times.

Why should I walk or run?

It’s incredibly good for you! Just as importantly, though, you are helping to bring awareness to the importance of good mental health. Good mental health isn’t about being happy all the time. In fact, a mentally healthy life includes the full range of human emotions—even the uncomfortable ones like sadness, fear and anger. This virtual event is to support Mental Health Week initiatives across Canada by recognizing, labeling and accepting our feelings are all part of protecting and promoting good mental health for everyone. You also are supporting two local charities Children’s Centre Foundation Thunder Bay and Canadian Mental Health Association Thunder Bay Branch, as well as not for profit ThunderCon.

How do I sign up?

Register at https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47592/virtual-mental-health-walkrun

You can also email cforesto@childrenscentre.ca with any questions.

Do I get a charitable tax receipt?

Charitable tax receipts will be given to all donations (not race registrations) received, pledged or collected over the amount of $20.