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1st annual 'Colors 4 Hope' walk/run to be held in Travelers Rest

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. – Recognizing that one in four Americans will be directly affected by mental illness this year, Mental Health America of Greenville County (MHAGC) will host its first annual “Colors 4 Hope” 4-mile walk/run and one-mile children’s event on Saturday, November 17 in Travelers Rest.

According to organizers, the family-style event has been designed for individuals of all ages and athletic abilities and promises a fun-filled morning for runners and families alike.

“Colors 4 Hope brings an exciting race concept to the Upstate,” said Jennifer Piver, executive director of MHAGC. “Participants will pass through ‘color stations’ along the route, where MHAGC volunteers will be tossing a kaleidoscope of colored powders into the air.”

Runners and walkers will end the race in a blaze of color, but it all comes out in the wash, Piver added.

MHAGC chose a four-mile race length to help raise awareness that mental illness affects one in four Americans.

“Mental illness doesn't just affect strangers,” Piver said. “It affects people we know and love. Think about it. Who's your 1 in 4? Because it's not one in four of them; it's one in four of us.”

MHAGC has organized Colors 4 Hope to raise awareness of mental health issues and to make mental wellness more visible as a health priority in Greenville. All of the proceeds of the event will benefit programs operated by MHAGC, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting positive mental health in our community through advocacy, education and service in Greenville since 1955.

MHAGC manages three separate housing facilities for those with chronic mental illness: Victor Village in Greer, Hillcrest Heights in Simpsonville, and McKinney House in Mauldin. The agency’s other services include MHAGC's 24-hour CRISISline and TEENline, programs for suicide prevention and aftercare for survivors of suicide, and community education and outreach programs, such as QPR, Don’t Duck Mental Health, and Call for Compassion.

“Funding cuts to the agency have jeopardized the viability of some of these programs,” noted Ms. Piver, “and we are counting on Colors 4 Hope as our primary fundraiser this year.” The event will replace Cajun Crawl as MHAGC’s signature event.

MHAGC is most grateful to its sponsors in helping make Colors 4 Hope possible and wishes to recognize Mediasation, Carolina Center for Behavioral Health, Bank of Travelers Rest, SpringBrook Behavioral Health System, and Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas for their generosity. Music will be provided in the park by Primetime Entertainment.

The race will begin at Gateway Park in Travelers Rest and will follow a route that includes part of the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Early registration will open at 7 a.m. The adult race is scheduled to commence at 8:30 a.m. for runners, 8:45 a.m. for joggers/walkers and the children’s event at 9:00 a.m.

To register for the race, go to www.colors4hope.org and click on the “Register Here” link. Cost to register is $45 per individual, $25 for children under 12, and $160 per group of four. Participants who register will receive a race day packet, tee shirt, timing chip, and bib. Participants have the choice of running in honor or memory of someone and raising additional funds to be donated to MHAGC.

Pre-registered participants will have the opportunity to pick up their packets the evening before the event (November 16th) in the parking lot of Trinity Lutheran Church at 421 North Main Street in Greenville.

For more information about the race, visit the Colors 4 Hope Facebook page or visit their website here.