URI to Host 18th Annual Be 5K Walk/Run for Mental Health on October 17

The event, which is open to the public, aims to support URI’s Heather Fund—established by Josephine and Roger Vennewald in memory of their daughter Heather, who died by suicide in 1996. The fund provides services and outreach programs focused on treating depression and preventing suicide within the URI community.

Registration is currently open for participants. Anthropology Professor Holly Dunsworth encourages her students to take part, as she has done in previous years. Dunsworth offers a dinner reward for students who surpass her running time, saying, “Every fall I urge my students in APG 201 to sign up to walk or run it. It’s a great morning to feel that numinous feeling that comes from doing hard things for lovely reasons with other people.”

This year, Professor Dunsworth is aiming to improve her previous time and expresses gratitude toward past participants for their inspiration.

All proceeds from the 5K will benefit the Heather Fund, which has funded various mental health initiatives at URI. Last year’s event attracted nearly 300 participants, the highest turnout to date.

Support for the event comes from numerous volunteers, including URI's Center for Career and Experiential Education and alumnus Andy Lavallee, who returns as DJ and emcee. Catherine Calise from the Counseling Center emphasizes the importance of community volunteers, stating, “Without our volunteers, this event would not be possible.”

This year’s 5K coincides with the 30th anniversary of Heather Vennewald’s passing, and her family and former college roommates are expected to attend. Since its inception, the Heather Fund has supported initiatives like the IMALIVE Mental Health Fair and Fresh Check Day, as well as improvements to the Counseling Center's waiting area.

Various sponsors will be present on the Quad to provide information and resources, including mental health organizations and URI health services. URI Dining Services and Dave’s Marketplace are donating water and snacks for participants.

Participants can register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/RI/Kingston/URIBe5K or at 8:30 a.m. the day of the event. Registration costs $15 for URI students, faculty, staff, veterans, military personnel, and those aged 55 and older, while the fee for the general public is $20. The walk/run begins at 10 a.m. and will proceed rain or shine, with activities moving indoors to URI’s Higgins Welcome Center if necessary.

Donations to the Heather Fund can be mailed to the URI Foundation or made online. URI offers mental health support to students, available at uri.edu/counseling/ or by calling 401-874-2288. The 988 Lifeline provides free emotional support for those in crisis or distress, reachable at 988 or 988lifeline.org.