a mental health-focused virtual run
February 17th to March 31st
At its core, running is more than just a form of exercise—it is a powerful tool for healing, growth, and resilience. Whether it’s the rhythm of your footsteps, the release of endorphins, or the quiet moments of clarity on a long run, running has an incredible ability to support our mental health. Too often, the connection between movement and mental well-being is spoken about only superficially, but we believe it deserves deeper exploration. That’s why we’re proud to introduce Run to Okay, our next virtual running event dedicated to shining a light on the role that running and physical activity play in improving mental health. This event is not about chasing personal records or pushing limits; it’s about taking a step toward feeling okay, one run at a time.
Registration Options
Digital Only
Want to be economical and participate digitally? This is for you. All of the good stuff (the content and the connection) is still yours! Available all over the world.
$10
Standard Entry
The most popular option!
- Long sleeve tech shirt
- “I’m feeling..” emotion chart
- Handmade acrylic/wood medal
- Shoe tags
- Shipping included
- Access to all digital content
Available for residents of the USA and Canada.
$55
Deluxe Entry
Just like the Standard Entry, but extra COZY!
- Cozy hoody
- “I’m feeling..” emotion chart
- Handmade acrylic/wood medal
- Shoe tags
- Shipping included
- Access to all digital content
$85
More than just another virtual run
When you join this mental health-focused virtual run, you gain access to a wealth of digital content designed to support both your running journey and overall well-being. Each week, you’ll participate in webinars featuring experts in mental health and running, offering insights and tools to help you thrive. Daily “runcasts” provide audio companions to keep you motivated and reflective during your runs, while a dedicated Facebook group connects you with a supportive community of fellow participants to share experiences and encouragement. You’ll also benefit from daily digital check-ins to track your progress and stay on course, plus direct access to experts to ask questions and get personalized advice. It’s a comprehensive package to nurture your mind and body, one step at a time.
IS run to okay right for me?
Run to Okay is for everyone—whether you’re a seasoned marathoner, a former runner looking to lace up again, or someone who’s just beginning to dream about their first steps into running. This program is designed to meet you wherever you are, offering tools and resources to improve your mental health while connecting you with a supportive community. Running serves as the common thread, providing a powerful way to engage with your well-being, but you don’t have to be a fast or experienced runner to benefit. Everyone needs good mental health, and through expert-led content, community connection, and accessible goals, Run to Okay helps you move forward—both physically and emotionally—at your own pace.
SWAG
Emotions Magnet
Gender Specific Long Sleeve Tech Training Shirt
Set of four mix-and-match metal shoe tags to keep us mindful!
Hand Made Wood & “Stained Plastic” Medal
Unisex Hoody (Deluxe Registration Only)
Resources
mood and health tracker
Six weeks premium access to Bearable, a mood and health tracking app with a mission to tive all patients across the
world the power to take control of their health and feel like themselves again.
Daily Mini Runcast
Every day, our experts will share a short piece of wisdom relevant to
movement and mental health. Example topics:
- Cues & resourcing for success
- Distress Tolerance skill building
- Minimum viable product for your goals
Weekly Webinars
- “Authenticity in Fitness”
- “SSRIs, Movement, and Health”
- “Fun in Healthy Striving”
- “Nutrition Beyond Race Prep: How to Embrace ‘The Grind”
- “The Emotional and Psychological Impact of Injury and Chronic Pain”
- “How to be a Mental Health Advocate”
Access to Experts
Through the Facebook group and webinars, you’ll have direct access to experts in a variety of fields. Read more about them below!
Training Plans
Each participant in Run to Okay will receive as part of the program a range of training plans to choose from. We’ve got your usual 5K, 10K, and Half-Marathon options, as well as some training plans that focus more on time spent running, instead of distance. Lastly, we’ve got some goal-oriented plans, like “Run Continously for 30 minutes” or “Run 100 Miles in 6 Weeks.” We’ve got a training plan for you!
Running starter Guide
New runners aren’t left to guess how to get going. In addition to help through the Facebook group, participants will receive a primer, “Rules of the Road” for how to start and maintain optimal safety and comfort while incorporating running into a healthy life.
The Experts
A team of dedicated experts—a physical therapist, therapist, running coach/therapist, and certified health coach—will guide participants on a transformative journey to improve their mental health through running. Each expert brings their unique perspective, offering practical tools and strategies to address physical and emotional well-being. From injury prevention tips and personalized training plans to therapeutic insights and holistic health advice, this group of professionals will work together to ensure participants feel supported every step of the way. Their combined expertise will help you build resilience, foster a healthier mindset, and find joy in the process of moving forward—both physically and mentally
Amy
Amy Begnal, Ed.S., LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (WA) and Clinical Director at Anacortes Psych & Wellness. She has a strong desire to work with individuals, families, or couples who hope to experience an increased satisfaction in their relationships with themselves or with others. Amy offers a gentle and nonjudgmental therapeutic process to help facilitate change. She utilizes mindfulness-based approaches to guide clients to become more aware of automatic thoughts that result in undesirable circumstances or behaviors. She is a mother and a wife who enjoys exploring the outdoors, traveling, engaging in physical activity, and seeking opportunities for personal growth.
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Grant
Grant Hennington, DPT, is the clinic manager at our Salmon Bay Physical Therapy-North Ballard location, while also serving as resident bike fitter, certified running coach, and director of ski conditioning program. He has treated hundreds of individuals with various musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders in an outpatient orthopedic setting. His clinical interests include rehabilitation and training of runners, climbers, skiers, and cyclists. As a clinician, Grant enjoys the opportunity to teach individuals about the intricacies of the human body and is passionate about helping others achieve their rehab goals through a combination of exercise and manual therapy. In his free time, Grant enjoys climbing, skiing, biking, and running.
Trevor
Trevor Davis, PsyD, ABPP, is board-certified in Rehabilitation Psychology, with over 15 years of experience. He specializes in rehabilitation psychology, pain psychology, and supporting people in their recovery after injury and/or with chronic medical conditions.
In addition to rehabilitation-related needs, Trevor enjoys helping people with physical and mental performance in activities such as physical training, running, rock climbing, and mountaineering.
Brant
With over 10 years of experience in the fields of performance, coaching, and psychotherapy, Brant Stanchel, RP, RMT, owner of MILESTONE Wellness, has a deep understanding of the mental and emotional challenges that individuals face and is committed to helping them overcome these challenges and achieve their full potential. In his practice, he works with Disordered Eating and Sport Performance Specifically in the domains of Anorexia, Orthorexia, Binge Eating, Bulimia, and youth athletes looking to take a leap to the next level.
Rebecca
Rebecca Burtney, CPT, PN2 L1SSR, grew up thinking she was allergic to exercise and that food was her best friend and worst enemy. As an adult she began working with her own coach to find movement that she loved and dramatically changed her relationship with food and her body. She now helps others to do the same for themselves as a one on one health coach and instructor. Rebecca traded in running shoes for hiking shoes and can be found with her daughter and husband on the trails around their home in Anacortes
NiC
Nic Nakis, OPEX CCP, PN L1, is a health & fitness coach in Sedro-Woolley, WA. One of the first 100 CrossFit athletes in the world, he worked in Crossfit boxes, health clubs, and even a resort martial arts gym in Phuket, Thailand, before starting his own company, Smart Fit & Clean, in 2019. Certified in CrossFit, personal training, Precision Nutrition, TRX, and the OPEX Fitness Coaches Certification Program, Nic’s on a mission to liberate, empower, and elevate humans to reach their highest potential. He believes there are no one-size-fits-all solutions in fitness, but everything depends on the person. Nic’s Individual Design Coaching programs use a process of Authenticity, Autonomy, and Actualization to help you become the best version of yourself.
Charity Partners
Run to Okay proudly partners with NAMI Seattle and Active Minds, two leading nonprofits dedicated to mental health advocacy and education. Through their expertise, participants will gain valuable insights into managing their own mental well-being while learning how to support others in their mental health journeys. By providing educational resources, actionable strategies, and tools for advocacy, these organizations empower participants to become mental health allies in their communities. Together, we’re not just running for ourselves—we’re running to create a ripple effect of awareness, understanding, and support for mental health everywhere.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Seattle
What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation’s leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an alliance of more than 600 local affiliates who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.
Active Minds
Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization promoting mental health awareness and education for young adults
We are dedicated to saving lives and to building stronger families and communities. Through education, research, advocacy, and a focus on young adults ages 14–25, Active Minds is opening up the conversation about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States.
Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsors for their support!
REI Co-Op
Opt Outside: Those two words express us best. When given a choice, life is better when you choose to go outside. It doesn’t have to be up a mountain and it doesn’t have to be for weeks. But getting outside in all forms connects us to the best part of life.
Mad Ritual
We founded MAD RITUAL™ because we were tired of the outdated, ineffective recovery products. Feeling better shouldn’t have to come with a plethora of potential negative side effects.
With this in mind, we began our mission to feel better by seeking out nature’s most powerful healing ingredients. We knew we wanted to work with CBD and we knew we wanted a kick-ass topical, so started playing in our kitchen until we got our formula juuuust right.
Team Run Run
Team RunRun is THE place for runners to find a coach, as well as a community that offers support, knowledge and encouragement.
Whether you are trying to qualify for Boston or dip your toes in the ultrarunning world, we have a coach who is specialized to help and a team that will be rooting for you. Join Team RunRun to find the running coach whose expertise, philosophy, and communication style works best for you.
FAQs
Who does this benefit?
First and foremost, you! Every human being can engage more with their mental health, and the goal of Run to Okay is to encourage that through running and movement. Financially, a portion of every registration will be donated to National Alliance on Mental Illness and Active Minds. We also encourage all participants to consider making a donation during the registration process.
How long does this last?
Six weeks, from February 17th to March 31st. But all resources from Run to Okay will be available to participants indefinitely, as we hope that they will serve participants in the future as well.
What all do I get?
Plenty! There are a host of tangible and intangible pieces of ‘swag’ that each participant receives. Check out the physical assets here and the digital resources here.
Are these people professionals?
Absolutely! All of our experts are professionals in their field, with the education, credentials and experience that you would expect. That said, Run to Okay is not a replacement for necessary treatment by a therapist.
What if I can’t attend the webinars?
Not a problem! All webinars will be made available afterwards if you cannot attend.
What if I can’t complete the training plan?
Do not stress about completing the training plan. Focus on consistency. If you miss a workout here and there, it’s fine, and it’s expected. You’re also welcome to change your training goals mid-way through, as your situation may dictate.
Is this a one time thing?
Yes and no. Run to Okay, as a six week mental health virtual run thing, will occur just once. But the resources from Run to Okay will be available indefinitely, and it’s our hope to develop Run to Okay into a standalone resource in the future for more people to benefit from.
Do I need to be on Facebook/join the Facebook group?
It’s helpful for communication but absolutely not required.
Do I need to track my miles?
It’s encouraged, but not required. Participants can track their miles via RunSignUp, our registration platform. It’s simple to do and instructions on how to do so will be sent out prior to the start date.
Disclaimer: running or participating in Run to Okay is a supplement to mental well-being, not a replacement for necessary treatment. For support groups for yourself or others, visit NAMI Seattle.
Send Us An Email (if you want)
An Orca Running Production
We produce running events for all paces and abilities in the great state of Washington. Learn more here.
