Bozeman runs for its life in the freezing cold

It was barely ten degrees Farenheit this past Saturday, but you wouldn’t have known it by the look of the crowd. Runners of all shapes and sizes lined up outside the Bobcat Stadium talking cheerily amongst themselves, comparing costumes and petting dogs. You may wonder why anyone would willingly be standing outside on a frigid morning, but the answer is simple — they were there to run. 

The Help Center of Bozeman has put on the “Run for Your Life” 5k every year for almost a full decade now. Initially started by an MSU sorority in 2014, the event has grown in the past nine years with an increasing amount of participation every year.

Not only does the Help Center have a local crisis line for people to call but they also answer calls on the national 988 line for thirteen counties across southwest Montana. The call line is set up to be available as a free resource 24/7 for anyone who might be experiencing a crisis or thoughts of suicide. Serving the community has been the primary goal of the Help Center since 1971 and they continue to save lives across Montana every year by acting as a supportive source for those in need. 

Last year, the race had 1,300 participants and made over 90,000 dollars to support the crisis lines that are set up to help Montanans in need of support. “Our mission is to support community members in crisis,” Mandy St. Aubyn, the development and communications coordinator at the Help Center said. Having started as a crisis counselor in 2008, St. Aubyn said: “It’s actually a fairly humbling experience, I feel like I learned just as much from the people calling as they might have learned from me,” she said. “Even if we just reach one person, that’s one person who knows taking care of their mental health is important, and they might even seek out a mental health counselor long term,” St. Aubyn said.

All of the profits from “Run for Your Life” will be given directly to supporting the crisis lines and the race is primarily focused on raising awareness for the Help Center and suicide prevention. The “Run for Your Life” race is also focused on breaking the stigma around talking about suicide by bringing the topic out of the dark. “It’s an opportunity for people who have lost loved ones to suicide to come and honor them,” St. Aubyn said. 

The Help Center provided signs that people could pin to their clothing while they ran to show everyone who they were running in memory of that day. 

Not only is “Run for Your Life” a great way to support the community, it’s also an excellent character building activity. 

I can say this from personal experience as a group from the Exponent took part in the freezing festivities: reporters, photographers and roommates alike all ran for their lives this past Saturday. Not only was the student newspaper represented, there were some other favorites that stood out from the crowd. Dale and Brennan from “Step Brothers” stopped arguing long enough to race past competitors, dads in mojo-dojo attire were Kenough to cross the finish line and thankfully, the couple of bananas in the mix didn’t slip anyone up. Even the dogs rocked cowboy hats and running booties, happy to lope along with their people in support of a good cause. 

If you weren’t able to make it out this past weekend, the Help Center’s website has a fundraiser going right now to support the expansion of their facilities, as they’re currently “busting at the seams,” according to St. Aubyn. If you’re unable to support them financially, keep in mind that their services are still available whenever they might be needed. “I think people underestimate the power of having someone listen to you without judgment while you sort out what’s going on,” St. Aubyn said. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts of suicide please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Help Center at: bozemanhelpcenter.org. You can call the organization at (406) 586-3333. The National Crisis Line can be reached at 988.