Southcoast Community Wellness 5K

Please join us at our 6th Annual 'Don’t Lose Hope: 5k Run/Walk for Suicide Awareness'!

In 2025, early national data show that the United States continues to lose nearly 50,000 people to suicide each year. Behind every number is a person, a family, and a community forever changed- a reminder of how deeply important connection, support, and accessible mental health care truly are.

Every year, 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences a mental health condition. Most of us have either lost someone to suicide or know someone who has been touched by it. Now more than ever, we need honest conversations, genuine check‑ins, and a commitment to kindness. Suicide is not a sign of weakness — it’s a sign that someone is carrying more pain than they can manage alone. Let’s be the reason someone feels seen, heard, and supported. Join us in breaking the stigma around mental health by showing your support on Sunday, September 27th.

Run with a p u r p o s e.

Run for a loved one who you've lost to suicide, run for a friend you know is struggling, or run for your own personal mental health battle.

Whatever your reason, you're making a d i f f e r e n c e.

Whether you run, jog, or walk; your presence is what is appreciated most!

Registration will begin at 7:30 am and the official race start time will be 8:30 am. Upon your arrival on race day, please be sure to check in as well as get your honor beads (see below for honor beads description).

PS. If you didn't get to register in time, we will be accepting same-day registrations!

Race Route:

We're thrilled to host the 9th Annual Southcoast Health Cancer Care Nicole Podkowa 5k The race will take place at Southcoast Health Cancer Care in Fairhaven, MA at 9am on Sunday, October 4, 2026.

Proceeds support the Nicole Podkowa Patient & Caregiver Fund. This unique fund supports patients being treated at Southcoast Health Cancer Care and their families who are in need of financial assistance to help with utility payments, food, housing, transportation, cancer related supplies and other necessities.

For those that cannot join us in person but would still like to participate, you may still register for our virtual event and walk or run your 5k in the comfort of your own neighborhood, treadmill or local park. Virtual walk/run participants will not have bib numbers for the in-person event.

Invite your family and friends to join you in completing the 5k and encourage them to register! Spread the word on social media! Tag @southcoasthealth when you post videos and photos of yourself participating in the 5k.

Registration

Online registration will be open until 10/1/2026 at midnight EST.

Day of Registration at Southcoast Health Cancer Care will open at 7:30am on 10/04/2026.

Registration is closed on 10/2 and 10/3 for race organization purposes. Please do not register for the virtual race during that time if you plan to participate in person. Please register on race day if you miss the registration window.

Please note:

This year's event will be cup-free. We will have water-filling stations at the staging area as well as on the 5k course, but you must bring your own cup or water bottle. A cup-free event will reduce waste and minimize our impact on the environment.

We request no dogs at this event for the safety of our participants.

In addition to runners and walkers, we’re looking for Community Committee Members, volunteers, and peer-to-peer fundraisers. Email [email protected] to learn more!