St. Charles nonprofit hosts run, walk for PTSD awareness
When Heidi Garton's brother returned home from a tour in Iraq, she noticed that something was different.
She thinks he "left a piece of him" there.
But soon, she learned of the reason behind this change: post-traumatic stress disorder.
Garton will fight back on Saturday, June 18, at the second annual "Not All Wounds Bleed 5K."
"The run to me is a very easy way to get the word out to all the distant people it can affect," said Garton, who is president and creator of Not All Wounds Bleed, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for people suffering from PTSD.
The run-walk event will begin at 9 a.m. at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, St. Charles, and it has a personal significance to Garton. Not only did she see her brother deal with the condition, but her niece was also diagnosed with PTSD after dealing with physical and mental abuse.
They were the reason she started the organization last June, as they searched for resources to assist in their recovery.
"They are both coming to terms with their PTSD and undergoing treatment," Garton said. "We were able to find great therapists. They are both on the road to recovery."
At last year's event, the organization had 56 participants. In its second year, Garton hopes to have 75 participants.
"The feeling of everyone coming together for a cause is very powerful at the event," Garton said.
For Garton, Kane County's LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve proved to be the perfect setting.
"Because of where it's held, it's very calming and meditative," Garton said. "It's soothing for people who have PTSD. It helps ease the anxiety of being in large crowds."
Awards will be given to the top male and top female finishers, as well as the top three runners in each age group. The age groups are: 14 and younger, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and older.
How to register
Anyone wishing to participate can register online or can email Garton at heidi@notallwoundsbleed.com for a hard copy of the form.
For participants who are 14 years old or younger, registration is $30. Registration for anyone older than 14 is $35. Military service members can receive a $5 discount off registration with the code "THNKU16," and members of the Chicago Area Runners Association can receive a $3 discount with the code "CARA16."
On the day of the race, registration will go up $5, and it will be open from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.
Pre-race packet pickup is 3-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, and Friday, June 17, at Geneva Running Outfitters, 221 W. State St.
Due to the course being in the woods, strollers and wheelchairs will not be allowed on the course, but they can be in the vendor area where local businesses will be stationed.
For details about the run/walk, including a course map, visit notallwoundsbleed.com.