Fun Winter Run

Planning committee members for Mental Health America's New Year's Day 5K Fun Run and Walk include, from left, MHAPC executive director Eileen Johnson, MHAPC Board President Bobby Hopper and MHAPC Board member Gina Ames.

GREENCASTLE -- Each New Year, many people make a resolution to get in better physical shape.

To help with that resolution, Mental Health America of Putnam County is sponsoring a New Year's Day 5K Fun Run and Walk event.

"We've talked about doing something like this for a couple of years," said MHAPC Board member Gina Ames.

Event organizers are hoping the event will also be good for the mental well being of those participating.

"There is a lot of depression in this season," said MHAPC Board President Bobby Hopper.

MHAPC executive director Eileen Johnson said the event was about "starting the year off right."

"We want people to get out, get exercise and be with their families," she said.

The event will be strictly non-competitive.

"The idea is to help people stick to new goals and have family time," said Ames.

"Family" includes everyone, Ames said -- even dogs are welcome.

The event will take place at Tzouanakis Intermediate School in Greencastle, and will begin at 10 a.m. Runners can walk the TZ Nature Trail or run the new section of People Pathways.

All ages are welcome. Registration fee is $5 per person or $15 per family. Proceeds will benefit MHAPC's programs.

Participants will be asked to sign a waiver and release of liability.

Refreshments, donated by the Greencastle McDonald's, will be served at the conclusion of the event and will include coffee with flavored syrups, hot chocolate with whipped cream, cookies and hot gourmet oatmeal.

If the inaugural event goes well, the New Year's Day Fun Run and Walk may become an annual MHAPC event.

"We'd like to see what kind of interest there is and just build on it," Johnson said.

For more information on MHAPC or any of its programs, call 653-3310.