The NCANA Run for Joy 5K

The NCANA Run for Joy is a 5K race that supports mental health advocacy and wellness for health care trainees. Mental health issues and suicide are becoming increasingly common among health care trainees and providers.  Training programs are usually very rigorous, caring for patients is stressful, and those who care for others often feel that they can’t or shouldn’t admit that they need care themselves. Unfortunately, there is often a stigma associated with mental illness, and trainees may feel that admitting that they struggle could damage their careers.

Run for Joy seeks to combat this stigma and support the mental wellness of heath care trainees. Proceeds from the race help finance initiatives that enhance mental wellness and provide support for those needing mental health services. Donations and race proceeds are managed by Run for Joy, Inc, a charitable organization established for this purpose. Run for Joy was started after the tragic death of Katelyn Joy Beardsley. Katelyn was a vibrant young woman who brought immense joy to everyone who knew her. She had a strong love for God and for people.  She was unapologetically authentic and could sit with people in their deepest sadness or laugh with them in their highest joys. Katelyn actively counseled and encouraged many others in the midst of their depression, and we know lives were preserved because of her.  Katelyn also loved running, which was her favorite way to combat her own depression and anxiety.  In the summer of 2018, Katelyn enrolled in the Nurse Anesthesia program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine to fulfill her life-long dream of becoming a CRNA.  Unfortunately, that dream was never realized.  On June 11, 2020, two months prior to graduation, Katelyn died by suicide. We will never know all the things that led to this tragic end to such a beautiful life.  Because Katelyn was high functioning and upbeat, no one saw this coming.  Data show that many others are struggling like Katelyn. Run for Joy seeks to bring help and awareness to this critical situation.   

Issue: Mental health advocacy and wellness for health care trainees 

• ·  Top 3 M/F Overall
•    Top 3 M/F in each age group: 10 and under, 11-15, 16-20, 21-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+

Friday, October 23
4-8pm 
Cugino Forno
486 N. Patterson Rd. #115
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Below is an aerial view of the packet pick-up location. You will be able to park in the deck circled in purple, off of 5th street. You will be able to walk (following the blue lines) across N. Chestnut St. to turn right and go down the steps to the coal pit area. From there you will see Cugino Forno and the packet pick-up location (circled in red) set up outside. There will be signs directing you as well.

Saturday, October 24
7:45 AM - 8:45 AM 
@ Race Site -  Jamison Park
285 Meadowlark Dr
Winston Salem, NC US 27106

Parking will be at Meadowlark Middle School (301 Meadowlark Dr, W-S, NC 27106) and Meadowlark Elementary School (401 Meadowlark Dr, W-S, NC 27106).

Vendors parking will be at Jamison Park (indicated on the parking map).

7:45am: Race Day Registration Opens/Packet Pick Up
8:45am: Registration Closes
9:00am: 5K Start
10:00am: Projected awards ceremony (will be adjusted based on last finisher's time)

If you registered for the Virtual 5K then you will have from 10/21-10/29 to complete your run. Shirts will be mailed on Monday, 10/18 because they will not arrive in our hands until Wednesday or Thursday of event week, and with the in-person preparations there will not be enough time to get them in the mail given the volume of virtual runners (overwhelmed!). A pre-race email will go out race week with more information, including a link to the Facebook group for the event that will live stream from the 5K on the in-person day.

To submit virtual results for your run/walk, you'll click on RESULTS and then Submit Virtual Results and follow the on screen prompts.

Run for Joy has partnered with community organizations and professional organizations to advocate for mental wellness in the community and among mental health trainees. 

Money raised by Run for Joy has been used to provide funds for psychiatry &/or counseling visits for students unable to pay for these services.  Funds have also supported mental health activities for students, suicide awareness training for faculty, and financed the biannual wellness dinner for CRNA students.  We are seeking to partner with others to use newer technologies to support students’ mental health awareness and crisis management.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? We have affordable and valuable options for all business sizes. Please reach out to runforjoyws@gmail.com for more information.