Second Annual Skyland Trail 5K Run/Walk Raises Support for Mental Health Treatment
ATLANTA – On Saturday, September 9, 2023, Skyland Trail, a nonprofit mental health treatment organization for teens and adults, held its second annual Skyland Trail 5K Run/Walk. Nearly 400 individuals gathered at the J. Rex Fuqua Campus for adolescents to show their support for mental health treatment, including former clients and families, students, and corporate teams.
To date, the 2023 event has raised almost $60,000 through individual and team fundraising in addition to corporate sponsorship. Donations will be accepted through October 1, 2023. Proceeds will support the Mark C. West Financial Aid Program at Skyland Trail, which provides aid awards to help patients who demonstrate financial need access and complete the nationally recognized psychiatric treatment program. Donations can be made online at https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/GA/Atlanta/SkylandTrail5Krunwalk
In addition to raising funds for Skyland Trail and bringing awareness to the need for evidence-based mental health treatment, the 2023 Skyland Trail 5K Run/Walk also served as an official qualifier for the 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race. Medals, which were created by adult clients participating in art therapy groups, were awarded to the winners of various age and gender groups.
With a chip time of 19 minutes and 30 seconds, Dillon Pinkster was the first overall participant to cross the finish line, establishing a new record for overall completion time in the Skyland Trail 5K. Sarah Roberson was the first female runner to cross the finish line with a chip time of 24 minutes and 46 seconds. Corey Tanner, an avid runner and Director of Care Coordination at Skyland Trail, was the first Skyland Trail staff member to cross the finish line with a chip time of 22 minutes and 43 seconds. A complete list of results by age group and gender can be found at https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/122791.
Skyland Trail thanks the generous sponsors for their support of the 2023 Skyland Trail 5K Run/Walk. ZWJ Investment Counsel served as the presenting sponsor. Silver sponsors included: Ansley Real Estate; Christmas Creek Charitable Fund; Crowe; Dyer Brown & Associates; Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP; New South Construction; Shaheen Development Company, LLP; and Yancey Brother’s Construction. Bronze sponsors were the Feeney Legacy Project and Riley’s Wish Foundation. In-kind sponsorship was provided by the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, Cinevision, and WABE.
Photos from the 2023 Skyland Trail 5K Run/Walk can be found at https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/GA/Atlanta/SkylandTrail5Krunwalk