Aitkin County HHS to host Stay, Walk, Run, Rally on Aug. 1 during Riverboat Days

Aitkin County Health and Human Services will host the Stay, Walk, Run, Rally on Aug. 1 as part of Riverboat Days, county public-health educator Ivan Bartha said on the Coffee with the County program. The free, family-friendly color run is billed as ‘‘a celebration of life’’ and aims to reduce stigma while connecting participants with local mental-health resources. "We say 'you're not alone,'" Bartha said.

Bartha provided logistics for the event: day-of registration will be 8:00–9:00 a.m. at the HHS building, runners will start about 9:00 a.m. and walkers about 9:15 a.m. Early registration is planned for the preceding Friday at Petals of Peace, and people can sign up via the Aitkin Health and Human Services Facebook page or the QR code on local flyers. The event is free; Bartha said last year's attendance was roughly 120 people and about 60 people had registered as of the prior Friday. Local partners listed by Bartha include a Chamber volunteer (Stephanie), Arlene at Petals of Peace, DAC color stations, and Southside first responders providing course first aid.

The route is planned to head south from the HHS side street, pass a gas station, follow public trails by the Ripple, turn near Paul Beck's, and return to the HHS building. Bartha encouraged participants to use parking at the government center or the high school to keep side streets clear and said organizers will have information and signage on the morning of the event. Following the run, attendees can hear lived-experience remarks by Tony Plant and listen to music as part of the Riverboat Days activities.