Be the Light - Glow in the Dark 5K for Mental Health Awareness

Join us for this awesome Glow in the Dark 5k! Invest in your own mental and physical health by completing a 5k, learn and spread mental health awareness, and support Beacon of Hope! Beacon of Hope is a non-profit counseling agency, which provides barrier free counseling at no-cost. Our hope is to raise $20,000 dollars, providing more than 600 individual counseling sessions. So go ahead and hit the signup button in the top right corner to register for the race. Then come back to the home page and hit the donate button in the top right corner to help an individual or family get the counseling they need. 

Why donate and help others:

There’s so much stigma around mental health, stigma that’s literally deadly. According the the health department, suicide rates in Michigan have increased 150% in the past 10 years, and suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death of people aged 10-34 in the US. That’s right, this isn’t just something adults struggle with. In Ottawa county, 1 in 5 teens have seriously considered taking their lives, and ⅔ of those were less than 16 years old. The National Suicide Hotline reported 1000% increase of calls during COVID.  And that doesn’t even take into account lives lost due to eating disorders, substance abuse, or domestic violence. All of those deaths could have been prevented. According to the National Alliance of Mental Health,1 in 5 adults struggle with mental health in some way, yet less than half seek help due to stigma, cost, or other barriers.

PLEASE help bring awareness to mental health by supporting this amazing Be the Light 5k race and Beacon of Hope!

When does online registration close?

Registration closes on September 18th.

Where is the Start and Finish Line?

The start and Finish line will be at Moran Park in Holland Michigan. Bathroom and shelter from weather will be at Moran Park Church.

Can I defer my registration to next year? 

We do not allow deferrals.

Will there be medals?

There will be participation medals for those that finish the 5k race! 

Will this race be canceled due to COVID? 

No- If COVID/ government tells us we aren't allowed to have the Race we will turn to a virtual race like last year with no refund.

When is packet pick-up?

Packet Pick-up will be September 17th from 4pm - 7pm at the Beacon of Hope office (225 West 30th St, Holland, MI 49423
616.594.5380 ext. 101). you will need your ID and bib number, if you have it. you can pick-up packets for other participants, if needed. There will be early packet pick up on race day at 5pm.

For Beginners:

For those that want to finish fast! 

Unisex tech shirts will be given to all participants whose registration is received by August 23, 2024 and as supplies last after that date. Sizes offered include: youth S-L and adult S-XXXL. Packet pick up is currently scheduled for race day Saturday, September 21 from 4:30pm-6:00pm.

We will be giving away participation "Be the Light 5k Race" medals! 

A BIG THANK YOU to all of our partners and friends who have donated items to make Be the Light 5K extra special!

• Quality Car Wash

• Crust 54

• Biggby Coffee

• Macatawa Bank

• Russ'

• Anna's Place

• Lemonjello's

• Mac Adventures

• Gazelle Sports--Holland

• Costco

• Kilwins Chocolates

• Big Apple Bagels