The Life Worth Living 5K Run and Walk at Abbott Farms is an event to raise awareness to prevent suicide.
The 5K course is open to all, whether looking for a competitive race or just a fun time. Certainly unique, the road and trial course will run through various areas on the farm. The 5K course will include the roads through the housing development behind Abbott Farms. The course also includes a very special memorial orchard remembering over 80 victims with local ties who lost their battle to suicide. Not your average race! Runners will be timed utilizing chips.
At Abbott Farms, there will be ice cream, bakery goods, berry picking and a variety of other family fun activities. And don't forget to visit the baby animals in the barnyard. The Cider House Grille will be open with a full menu of grilled entrees and treats. Abbotts is well known for providing lots of fun on the farm for families and kids!
The event is in memory of Zach Helfrich, a former employee of Abbotts. All who knew Zach remember his smile, sense of humor and kindness. Zach had just turned 19 and graduated Baker High School. He was headed to Virginia Tech and accepted into the prestigious Corps of Cadets, US Army ROTC. Military service was his lifelong dream. We were incredibly proud of him. Sadly, Zach unexpectedly took his life on the morning of August 16, 2019. Let's celebrate our love for Zach as well as others who lost their lives to suicide, at the Life Worth Living day at Abbotts. With your help, we can raise awareness to prevent other similar tragedies.
The Zach Helfrich Memorial Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our mission is to build awareness, support effective treatment programs and reduce the prevalence of suicide among young people in our communities. To date, we have raised over $170,000, all of which has stayed in our community to support programs to reduce suicides among our teenagers and young adults. Among other things, we have established an endowment in Zach Helfrich's name to support the Upstate Medical University's Psychiatry High Risk Program which is a highly effective outpatient treatment center for adolescents and young people at high risk of suicide. They have phenomenal success and are truly saving young lives. We are also supporting the new Mental Health Respite Program at Elmcrest Children's Center in Syracuse which provides residential care for children and teens in crisis.
PACKET PICK-UPS & IN-PERSON REGISTRATION
Fleet Feet Syracuse - 5800 Bridge St, East Syracuse, NY 13057
Friday, August 14, 2026
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Abbott Farms - 3275 Cold Springs Rd, Baldwinsville, NY 13027
Saturday, August 15, 2026
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP, Abbott Farms - Sunday, August 16, 2026 - Same-day Registration does not guarantee a shirt or medal
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM