Ridge Road Run 5K Scheduled for May 7

By: Community Magazine | March 6, 2023 |  Local , Events |  Fair Haven , Red Bank , Rumson

FEATURED PHOTO CREDIT: Ridge Road Run 5K

The Ridge Road Run 5K will take place on May 7, 2023 at Rumson-Fair Haven High School, with proceeds going towards suicide and mental health/wellness prevention, education and awareness benefitting students at Red Bank Catholic (RBC), Red Bank Regional (RBR), and Rumson-Fair Haven (RFH) High Schools and their greater school communities.

With broad community support, what started out as a 5K has evolved into so much more. The Ridge Road Run 5K does more now to educate students and their greater school communities than ever before. With that in mind, the organization is rebranding itself in the Spring of 2023 as The Ridge Road Alliance for Suicide Education and Prevention. The Alliance will serve as the umbrella organization for the 5K and the Ambassador program. There is a coordinator that works with each school advisor to coordinate awareness activities, the 5K race, social media and the new website (spring of 2023). Funds are held in a restricted account through the Source Foundation at Red Bank Regional High School, a registered 501c3.

This school year, each school received $10,000 to spend on mental health and wellness initiatives within their school and school community. The Ambassador program has been promoting the new 988 crisis line. At their rival football game, both RBC and RFH donned You Matter shirts displaying the 988 crisis line. The double header “Battle of Ridge Road” basketball game between RFH and RBR served as the backdrop for students to come together for mental health awareness. RBR and RFH students wore Stay Strong and You Matter shirts both with the crisis line information on them. Students shared resources, gave out 988 bracelets and promoted the organization at both events.

Ambassadors have presented information to students in their schools, spoken to the public at sporting events (football, basketball, ice hockey), promoted suicide education and prevention with balloon arches teal/purple (suicide awareness) or green/white (mental health awareness), launched anti-bullying/kindness campaigns and relayed valuable information through social media.

None of this would be possible without the public’s generosity. By supporting the 5K, you can help the organization continue to fulfill its mission of suicide and mental health/wellness prevention, education and awareness. Also be sure to follow @RidgeRoadRun on social media.