Winners of the 2019 Glow 5K Best "Glow-fit" Contest. Participants in the 5K are encouraged to dress up in glow in the dark clothing, paint, and accessories, to help "shine a light on recovery and wellness." (Submitted photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY — The Chenango County Suicide Prevention Coalition is hosting its third annual Wellness and Recovery Glow 5K on Saturday, September 17. The 5K run and walk aims to reduce the stigma and raise awareness about mental health, suicide, and substance use, and show that recovery is possible.

"We want to really reduce that stigma. So we’re hoping by drawing them in we can provide that education, and also we want to show that it’s not just about suicide or substance use; it’s really about recovery and wellness in general," explained Chenango County Suicide Prevention Coalition member Kelly Hunter. "So on our web page you can find stuff about financial literacy and housing. So every area you could think of in your life, we like to provide information on that and show that there is hope for a brighter tomorrow."

The Glow 5K is so named because participants are encouraged to dress up in glow in the dark clothing, paint, and accessories, and volunteers will be decking out the park and even the race route in glow in the dark decor. Hunter said the theme ties in with the coalition's mission to "shine a light on recovery and wellness."

"Our T-shirts are glow in the dark, we give all of our participants glow materials, so we have glow in the dark wristbands, we have glow in the dark bracelets. This year we’re doing a different route so we’re going to be chalking the route in glow in the dark, and we have black lights for each of our watering stations," said Hunter.

"We even have cool glow in the dark trophies that people win for the different categories. We give trophies for first, second, and third for best glow gear, so we encourage people to step outside of the box and paint themselves or dress themselves up in all sorts of fun, outrageous, glow in the dark outfits or black light outfits."

The Glow 5K began in 2019 with an in-person race and over 100 participants, followed by a virtual race in 2020 due to COVID. Last year, the 5K was canceled due to rising COVID numbers. However, this year it's back and better than ever.

The race will be held at Weiler Park, located at 43 Borden Avenue in Norwich, and will kick off at 4 p.m. with a chicken barbecue fundraiser. In partnership with the Norwich VFW Post 2782, the coalition will be selling chicken halves for $8 a piece.

Also at 4 p.m., several community agencies will be set up in the park with tables offering information on the resources and services they provide, as well as a family-friendly activity for participants and visitors. The 5K will also have a few other new features this year.

New this year will be a partnership between the coalition and downtown Norwich businesses Willow Primitive and The Cottage Bakery.

For a donation to the coalition, race participants will have the opportunity to splatter paint a backdrop with Willow Primitive that will be used at the end of the race. Children can join The Cottage Bakery to decorate cookies with edible glow in the dark glitter dust. Both activities are expected to begin at 4 p.m.

Pre-registration for the Glow 5K is available at ChenangoWellnessandRecovery.org, and will also be available the day of the event beginning at 6 p.m. Children aged 17 and under can participate in the kid's race at 7 p.m. for $20, and individuals aged 18 and older can participate in the 5K run and walk, beginning at 7:30 p.m., for $30.

Those who pre-register will receive a Glow 5K commemorative T-shirt. Hunter said T-shirts will also be available for purchase for individuals who register the day of, and will be mailed after the 5K.

All proceeds from the Glow 5K will be used by the Chenango County Suicide Prevention Coalition to develop and provide community support and trainings based on all areas of wellness and recovery.

"The funds that we raise through our race are really meant to bring in additional trainings for the community as a whole," said Hunter. "Our goal is to reduce the stigma, raise awareness. You know, our highlight is kind of shining a light on recovery and wellness. Showing that that is possible."

"Say someone needs to go to the hospital but they can’t afford the gas to get there, that might be something that the coalition could help with. Someone wants to start walking and they can’t afford the right sneakers, that’s something that the coalition might be able to help with," she added. "So really our goal is to show people that recovery and wellness are possible in light of everything going on in the world, and to be able to take away some of those barriers that prevent people from being able to fully kind of grasp that recovery."

The Chenango County Suicide Prevention Coalition is an all-volunteer organization made up of community members from various agencies. Included in the coalition are individuals from Chenango County Behavioral Health, Chenango Health Network, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, BOCES, Chenango County school districts, the National Suicide Prevention Coalition, Veterans Suicide Prevention, United Way, and more.

Hunter said the diverse group brings lots of different perspectives and knowledge to the table, and it allows the coalition to provide well-rounded information and support to the Chenango County community.

"Our main goal is to get information out there, help to reduce the stigma, show people, again, that recovery is really possible, and to show people that there’s a lot of supports out there," she said. "Oftentimes when you’re struggling with mental health, addiction, suicidal thoughts, you feel like you’re all alone, and this shows that you have a lot of support and a lot of people in your corner cheering you on."

More information on the Chenango County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Glow 5K can be found at ChenangoWellnessandRecovery.org.