Aspire Indiana Health will hold its first-ever InSHAPE 5k Fun Run & Walk on Saturday, April 22 at Conner Prairie. The event will raise funds and awareness for the nonprofit’s InSHAPE program, which helps Hoosiers with mental illness improve their fitness and reach their health goals.
Participants will receive a comfy T-shirt, finisher medal and swag bag, and can choose between a 5k timed event or one-mile fun run/walk. They can do both races for the same registration price if they wish. There will be post-race refreshments, pre-race warm-up group stretching, face painting and other fun activities for kids.
Registration fees, which will go to support the program, are $33 for adults, $15 for youths aged 12 and under, and kids 5 and under are free. A virtual option is also available for $30.
To register, please visit AspireIndiana.org/InSHAPE.
The six-year-old InSHAPE program is devoted to helping Hoosiers with mental illness work on improving their physical health and wellbeing. It’s very common for people with behavioral health diagnoses to also struggle with excess weight, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and other health challenges.
The program pairs patients up with personal trainers who provide them with the tools, motivation, and support to succeed in their personal health goals. By implementing exercise and improving nutrition habits, InSHAPE helps people lose weight, improve cognitive functions, decrease depression and anxiety, improve self-esteem, and decrease social isolation.
“Really it’s about extending their life. We want to see them live long past what they’re projected to,” said program leader Jody Hall, noting that the life expectancy of people with mental illness is significantly lower than the rest of the population.
The InSHAPE 5k Fun Run & Walk will have a superhero theme, and kids – even grown-up ones – are encouraged to dress as their favorite character for the event. That’s because everyone involved in InSHAPE, from the clients to the trainers to the supporters, are truly superheroes when it comes to helping others.
All proceeds of the race will go toward program participants to pay for exercise equipment, gym memberships, shoes and more.
About Aspire
Aspire Indiana Health is a fully integrated nonprofit health system serving central Indiana that addresses behavioral health, primary medical care, substance use disorders, infectious diseases, deaf services, veteran programs, abused/neglected children, and social drivers of health such as housing and employment. Aspire is supported by a strong network of community organizations, state/federal entities, and generous benefactors. Those interested in partnering with Aspire in making health and well-being a reality in central Indiana are encouraged to email info@aspireindiana.org.