PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — People of all ages took to the pavement at Fernhill Park Sunday, all for a local nonprofit aimed at recovery through running.
The 2nd annual 5K run was a fundraiser for Go The Distance, whose volunteers go into drug and alcohol treatment centers to take them out for runs.
According to Director of Operations Connor Stephens, they do 28 outings a week at seven different treatment centers in Portland. After a participant completes 12 runs, they receive a medal, certificates, even a brand new pair of shoes.
But it doesn’t all stop there.
“After treatment, we try and keep them as close as possible,” Stephens said. “We offer community runs three days a week, and then we pay for race entries throughout the year. What we’re trying to do is ignite recovery through movement and running.”
T.J. Trudeau, a volunteer and former program participant, told KOIN 6 News that, while athletics had always been a part of his life, GTD gave him the motivation to get back into it.
“I’m happy, it filled in all those, empty spots with the drugs and alcohol was in,” he said. “So it took away those bad habits and reintroduced the good habits that I used to have.”
Organizers said three big treatment centers, Coda, Fora and Lifeline Connections, brought their patients to the run. All told, over 450 were in attendance.
As for next year, Stephens says GTD hopes to expand, bringing the program into treatment centers and transitional housing downtown.
Jenna Deml
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