LOVE yourself and know that your pain is real, but so is hope.
&
LEAN on others (faith, family, friends, teachers, neighbors, co-workers, coaches, counselors, healthcare professionals and community) for help, because the more you lean, the stronger you grow in mental fitness.
Join us on Saturday, April 25, 2026, for the 10th Annual Love & Lean Walk/Run for Mental Health!
This annual event was inspired by the loss of Zach Kroll, a sophomore at Zeeland East, who silently suffered from depression and died by suicide in 2015 at the age of 15. Zach’s family and friends desire to use this awareness event to reach out to others and make a positive impact in the community. It is so important to recognize the signs of mental illness and have the confidence to take action when helping yourself or others. Our goal is to reduce the shame and secrecy surrounding mental illness, so less people struggle silently, and more people seek help. Through raising mental health awareness, we will all learn how to be more involved and effective in saving lives.
OPTIONS
Run a 5K. Walk a 5K. Or, walk/run a shorter 1.5 mile route. Scroll down to the end of page to view the Course Map and become familiar with the route.
Physical activity is good for mental health! The route will have a variety of terrain, mainly consisting of sidewalks and bike paths, as well as trails through the wetlands. It will also be lined with memorial pictures, motivating interaction, sidewalk chalk inspiration, and encouraging message signs. Zeeland’s Cityside & Creekside combined 7th grade band will be motivating you to the finish line.
The route features a "story path", featuring New York Times Bestseller children's book "The Rabbit Listened" by author & illustrator, Cori Doerrfeld. Each page is enlarged and mounted (with permission from the author) on a separate sign along the path for easy reading. It’s a simple but perfect story about how it feels when something goes terribly wrong, how to overcome those challenging emotions and what it takes to move forward. This book is recommended not just for the littles, but also for anyone needing comfort or help in supporting others in difficult situations. Just listening is so powerful!
VIRTUAL OPTION
Can’t join us in person? No problem! Participate on your own schedule. You will receive a participant bib, finisher medal and event t-shirt.
All virtual run packets will be mailed after April 25, 2026. Don’t forget to post your photos and tag us using: #zakimpact and #loveandlean.
GATHERING LOCATION
Zeeland High School Stadium (south side of parking lot)
9900 Riley Street
Zeeland, MI 49464
TIME
8:00 AM Check-In, Packet Pick Up & Late Registration
9:00 AM Opening Remarks
9:15 AM Start
EARLY CHECK-IN
We encourage you to come to early check-in on Friday, April 24, from 4:30 - 6:30PM at Haven Church (541 Alice Street, Zeeland, MI 49464). If you cannot make it Friday night, you can pick up your event packet when check-in begins at 8:00AM on Saturday.
DRAWING
This year we will again have some amazing gifts for our drawing on event day. These gifts are donated by local businesses and organizations that support mental health. Register before March 31 and receive 2 drawing tickets. Enter your tickets into the box by the gift of your choice for a chance to win. Drawing boxes will be available at Early Check-In and also at the event.
DONATIONS
NEW! Love & Lean is now operating on its own as a 501(c)3! The following percentages of net proceeds (after event expenses) will be distributed among the selected organizations for 2026:
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70% - Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan – Providing an action plan (be nice.) so others have the knowledge and confidence to take action when it comes to mental health and suicide prevention.
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10% - iUnderstand – Providing compassionate comfort, hope, and understanding for those affected by suicide or mental brain health illness and pain.
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10% - Team Be Better; – Family-centered mental wellness. Mental health support, education and advocacy for adolescents and young adults.
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10% - Winning At Home – Making marriages and families stronger through counseling, coaching, community events, speaking and media resources.
As you’ve noticed, the majority of donations collected through this event will still be shared with the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. They have faithfully partnered with us from the beginning and will continue to be a primary beneficiary each year. When used effectively, the be nice. action plan - to notice, invite, challenge, and empower - encourages individuals to challenge themselves and others to seek appropriate professional help when they notice mental health changes or concerns. This program equips individuals in schools, businesses, churches, and communities with the knowledge and confidence to take action when it comes to mental health and suicide prevention.
To broaden the reach of your generosity, a portion of the donations (listed above) will also be distributed among other trusted mental health organizations, ensuring that your contribution reaches multiple communities. Through your giving, we can help more individuals and also provide broader awareness of education, counseling, support and prevention programs.
MEMORIAL SIGNS
If you would like a memorial sign placed along the walk to honor a loved one, please email larissapayton@benice.org with a JPG picture and name by Wednesday, April 1.
TIMING
Only the 5K route will be chip timed. Please wear your bib on the front of your shirt during the entire race. Immediately after the event, your time for the 5K Walk/Run will be available on the website.
FAMILY DISCOUNT
When registering 4 or more immediate family members for the 5K Walk/Run, each participant's registration fee will be discounted by $5. This does not apply to the 1.5 mile option.
SHIRTS
Event long sleeve t-shirts are included with the 5K Walk/Run, and optional with the 1.5 Mile Walk. EVENT SHIRT DEADLINE IS TUESDAY, APRIL 14! This is a firm deadline in order to have t-shirts ordered, printed and available before the event!
Participants who register after April 14 (except virtual participants) will have three options:
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Choose a t-shirt size when registering, and then participant will need to pay an extra $6 for shipping. The shirt will be shipped to you after the event (approximately a week or two after event).
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Choose a t-shirt size when registering and then do a porch pickup in Zeeland when shirts arrive (approximately a week or two after event). There is no extra cost.
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Choose "No t-shirt needed" option. Participant will not receive an event shirt.
A limited supply of additional t-shirts will be available for $25 each at Early Check-In on Friday, April 24, and at the Registration Tent the day of the event.
CREATE A TEAM
Create a team on the registration website and recruit people to sign up under that team name. For example - sign up to represent a church, company, athletic team, extra-curricular group, school, class, or in memory of a loved one or friend.
CONNECT BEADS
Feel connected as a community by wearing the personized bead colors that define your reason for raising mental health awareness. Beads will be available at the event while supplies last.
REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY
We are unable to issue refunds. The registration fees help cover the investments and purchases involved with this event. We appreciate your understanding. The event will still be held, rain or shine. However, in case of severe weather, please watch for an email or social media post regarding postponement or cancellation of event.
ARE PETS ALLOWED ON THE COURSE?
Yes, but for the safety of all runners, we ask that you line up in the “walk” group after the runners have started.
IS THE ROUTE USATF CERTIFIED?
No. We have done our best to map out a 3.1 mile 5K route and a shorter 1.5 mile route; however, it might not be exact.
INTERESTED IN BEING A SPONSOR?
Please click on the DONATE tab at the top of website for more information.
REGISTER OR DONATE WITH CHECK?
If you would prefer to donate by mail, please send check (made out to Love & Lean) to 2940 100th Avenue, Zeeland, MI 49464.
REFRESHMENTS
We encourage everyone to stay and enjoy post-event refreshments.
GOOD MENTAL HEALTH IS A GOAL
Mental health is just as important as physical health and is part of a winning game plan. Zach's cousin, Keaton, died suddenly, at the age of 16, during a soccer game in 2019 from blood clots in his lungs. Keaton was an avid soccer player who loved unconditionally and never left anyone out. He noticed when someone was struggling and was always willing to help. He embraced the be nice. action plan to Notice - Invite - Challenge - Empower when he saw someone hurting. Both Zach & Keaton loved a good cup of coffee. When you use your coffee coupon (found in your resource bag), remember to #lovelikekeaton to make a #zakimpact as you #loveandlean for mental health.
STRIKE A POSE
Stop by the be nice. backdrop. Choose a prop, smile for the camera and show your support for mental health.
THE REASON WHY
A few years ago, we started offering devotional books at the Love & Lean Walk/Run for anyone looking for extra encouragement and hope in challenging times. Our family’s goal is to share our story in order to save lives from suicide, and also to save lives for eternity. God is a huge part of our story. We’re not pushing Him on you if you believe differently, but it is impossible to separate Him from OUR story. He is our source of strength. “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone. My hope comes from Him. He is my rock and salvation. He is my fortress. I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5&6
Without God’s grace and healing power, we'd have absolutely no strength to share our story, Zach’s story, and ultimately God’s story. It has been God's wisdom and faithfulness that has guided #zakimpact and Love & Lean into what it has become today.
We organize the Love & Lean Walk/Run to raise mental health awareness. But if on the way, we open someone's heart and mind to a loving God, then all is worth it. If you are a participant in this year’s event, you are welcome to grab a devotional for yourself or for someone you know who could use some encouragement and hope.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow us at:
Instagram - loveandlean15
Facebook – Love & Lean/ZAKImpact