The Run for Tomorrow 5K returns for its second year at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home on Saturday, Sept. 12, offering a full day of events focused on suicide awareness and prevention. The morning begins with the 5K race, and the evening will feature a talk by national suicide prevention speaker Dennis Gillan.
The race is set to start at 8 a.m. on the ASUMH campus, located at 1600 S. College St. Registration costs $25 and can be completed online until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11. On-site registration will also be available on race day for those who miss the online deadline.
Gillan, who founded the Half a Sorrow Foundation, will speak later that evening at the Vada Sheid Community Development Center on the ASUMH campus. His presentation, titled "It’s a Tough Subject: A Conversation About Suicide," will run from 6 to 7 p.m. The event, hosted by Baxter Health, is free and open to the public with no registration required. Gillan became an advocate for suicide prevention after losing two brothers to suicide and now travels the country sharing his message.
The inaugural Run for Tomorrow 5K took place last year, drawing 206 participants and raising over $15,000. Much of the funds supported postvention efforts, including providing resource packages with crisis hotline numbers, local therapy options, and support group information to families affected by suicide. The funding also helped establish a local rapid-response team to assist families in the aftermath of a suicide.
Summer Sasser, the founder and organizer of the event, created the race after losing her fiancé, Christopher Albertson, in 2018. Sasser, who works at Ascend Wealth Management, explained that the first year's expenses were covered by her employer, allowing all registration fees to go directly to suicide prevention efforts. She encourages community members to participate in any way they can, whether by running, walking, volunteering, or simply showing support.
"Whether someone comes to run or walk, or volunteer or support, we’re helping spread awareness," Sasser said.
The race is scheduled during September, which is recognized as Suicide Prevention Month. Its purpose remains consistent with its inaugural year—to encourage people to stay for tomorrow and the loved ones who care for them.
For those seeking additional information or wishing to register or donate, details are available at the race's website, [https://runsignup.com/Race/AR/MountainHome/RunForTomorrow5k2026](https://runsignup.com/Race/AR/MountainHome/RunForTomorrow5k2026).
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. Call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a free service operating 24/7.