RICHMOND, Va. — Thousands of Central Virginians, including two teens from Mechanicsville High School, joined some familiar faces at the SpeakUp 5K in Richmond’s Byrd Park on Saturday morning.
“You can just feel the presence and all the goodness,” Olivia Minton said. “And it is such a happy day raising awareness for a very important issue and everyone doing something they love.”
WTVRMinton and her friend Kenzie Strohahecker take part in the event each year because the race’s mission inspired them to create their own SpeakUp Club at Mechanicsville High.
The event in its 11th year honors Cameron Gallagher, a teen who had big plans to bring the mental health awareness race to life before her sudden passing in 2014.
WTVR Gallagher‘s family said Cameron dreamed up the design for the event by detailing in her journal how she wanted to create a race for those who were suffering or battling mental health issues. She shared how she wanted it to be a happy race where people could engage without stigma or judgment.