JBSA locations host Run For Life event

Published Aug. 3, 2016
By David DeKunder
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, TEXAS --

In September, Joint Base San Antonio locations will each host a 5K run in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and to support individuals dealing with depression.

The Suicide Awareness and Prevention 5K Run For Life events start 8 a.m. Sept. 10 at the JBSA-Lackland Gillum Fitness Center trail; 8 a.m. Sept. 11 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, by the helicopter display at the corner of Worth and Stanley roads; and 7:30 a.m. Sept. 24 at JBSA-Randolph Air Heritage Park.

Registration is free for active-duty members and Department of Defense ID cardholders and will be held the day of the run at 7 a.m. at both JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. Registration for the JBSA-Randolph run is at http://www.5krunforlife.com.

Maj. Trisha Stavinoha, chief of Outpatient and Community Nutrition Services at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and Run For Life coordinator, said the races provide a healthy activity for JBSA members to improve their physical and mental well-being.

“We want them to do something that is helpful, good for the mind and body,” Stavinoha said. “Exercise is a natural antidepressant. It’s a natural way to make you feel better. Suicide is more common if you are isolated and this event helps bring more people together.”

At the JBSA-Lackland run, the theme for the event is “Be Someone’s Superhero” with runners being encouraged to dress up as their favorite superhero.

“When you are helping someone you are being a superhero,” Stavinoha said.

There will be a food drive at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston event. Participants will be able to fill their rucksack with food to donate to the San Antonio Food Bank.

Headbands will be given out to participants at the events.

The Run For Life events focus on activities in which people come together to help others, Stavinoha said.

“With events like the food drive and ‘Be Someone’s Superhero,’ it helps you toward doing positive things,” she said. “You are forming friendships.”

Stavinoha said the races also steer individuals toward setting goals and working to achieve them. “The message is, ‘ What are you living for? What’s your next goal?’” Stavinoha said. “Changing the conversation, taking their mind off the negatives and focusing on the positive.”

Gina Ramirez, 359th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Flight outreach/resiliency coordinator at JBSA-Randolph, said the Run For Life event at JBSA-Randolph will include information on mental health resources from base, local community and national organizations.

Organizations that will be present at the JBSA-Randolph run include Operation Homefront, Project Welcome Home Troops, Military OneSource and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention “We are highlighting the importance of getting help,” Ramirez said.

“We are giving our base population the resources to do that.”

Ramirez said the Run For Life is also an event for JBSA families.

“It is about coming together as a community and we are focusing on the value of life,” she said. “Because every life has value, that’s why we call it Run For Life. We provide resources to those who need help or family members who want to help their loved ones.”