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Creative Health Mile in Pottstown benefits mental health awareness 

Tristan Edwards-Wright experienced a devastating loss in her life at just 8 years old.

“I lost my father to brain cancer and it was a very tragic and painful loss to watch him suffer at such a young age,” Edwards said. “He meant the world to me.”

Seeing him endure the final stages of cancer wasn’t the only tragic aspect of Edwards-Wright’s childhood.

“I was going through sexual abuse all that time and he never knew,” she said. “I was so young I don’t even remember when it started — it was a neighbor.”

Michael Ragozzino, left, Kristen Edwards-Wright, center, co-founders of the RUNegades and Amon Gibson, director of development for Creative Health Services and The RUNegades. (Photo courtesy of RUNegades)
Michael Ragozzino, left, Kristen Edwards-Wright, center, co-founders of the RUNegades and Amon Gibson, director of development for Creative Health Services and The RUNegades. (Photo courtesy of RUNegades)

Edwards-Wright moved to California on a whim at age 20, but the masking of deep-rooted trauma started unfolding in the form of addiction.

“I ended up adventuring and partying way too much and I ended up addicted to drugs for a long time,” she said.

Thrown off course

She eventually moved back to Pennsylvania in 2018, and due to feeling isolated in her new hometown, she went from drug addiction to alcohol. When COVID hit she was thrown off course even more despite some sweet spots along her journey that included getting married to her husband, Jeffrey Wright, and having a child.

“When COVID hit it was a huge shock to someone who was already struggling with their mental health,” Edwards-Wright said.

Suicide started to be the only answer that made sense to her.

“It was the end of 2021, Christmas,  and I had gotten suicidal,” she said. “I had just decided that I should drive my car off the road drunk.”

She made the attempt and survived, which led her to make another attempt through overdosing on her medications. She survived the second attempt and landed in the care of two mental health facilities and then rehab.

Runners of all ages and levels of expertise can participate in the Creative Health Mile. (Photo courtesy of RUNegades)
Runners of all ages and levels of expertise can participate in the Creative Health Mile. (Photo courtesy of RUNegades)

“I’ve pulled through and they showed me the hugest support,” she said, referring to her close friends and fellow runners who are part of the RUNegades, a running club based in Phoenixville, Chester County. The club is a non-profit centered on running and mental health, combined with connection and belonging.

Running has always served as a positive outlet for Edwards-Wright.

“For me, it’s the only time and space that I can quiet myself when I run,” she said. “It’s so hard for the personality-distorted brain to stop overthinking through things — I need that release time.”

Co-founded the RUNegades

Edwards-Wright co-founded the RUNegades in 2018 with her long-time friend Michael Ragozzino, after forming a friendship as neighbors in Phoenixville. The club’s initial focus was simply running and grabbing a beer afterward. However, this past year things changed when it was apparent that members were struggling with mental health issues.

The RUNegades currently has 2,500 members. In addition to hosting two weekly runs, it hosts about 15 races per year. (Photo courtesy of RUNegades)
The RUNegades currently has 2,500 members. In addition to hosting two weekly runs, it hosts about 15 races per year. (Photo courtesy of RUNegades)

“The commonality we have seen from members across the board is that throughout, and coming out of the pandemic, we have seen that mental health issues have been exacerbated,” said Ragozzino. “As a result, we have seen substance abuse issues, anxiety, depression, loneliness and isolation.”

This escalated need caused the RUNegades to recently shift their focus.

“Last year the focus of the RUNegades changed to community engagement and the mental health aspect,” Ragozzino said. “It feels more rewarding to be focused more on mental health.”

Tonight the RUNegades plan to engage with the community to bring greater awareness to mental health issues through the Creative Health Mile, taking place in Pottstown at 6 p.m. at the Heritage Field Airport. It’s a one-mile race that is open to all ages of the public and all levels of expertise.

“We are using the Creative Health Mile to launch this mental health initiative,” Ragozzino said, adding this will be the launch of a seasonal approach to awareness. “Each season we will focus on a different aspect of mental health.”

Partnered with Creative Health Services

The RUNegades currently has 2,500 members. In addition to hosting two weekly runs, the group hosts about 15 races per year. For the Creative Health Mile, RUNegades partnered with Creative Health Services, Pottstown’s community behavioral health center helping more than 6,000 children, adults and families each year.

Kristen Freitag Murray, Creative Health’s director of development and public relations, discussed the benefits of running with regard to mental health.

“We know that folks who run experience improved emotional well-being, relief from tension, depression, aggression, anger, and anxiety, and a boost in self-image and self-confidence, mood, and happiness,” Freitag Murray said. “The Creative Health/RUNegades partnership is a great marriage of wellbeing supports.”

Ragozzino wants everybody, regardless of what they are going through, to feel accepted and welcome to join their club.

“We want everybody to feel as if they matter and we want to hear their story and spend time with them no matter who they are,” he said. “We want people to feel they have a place.”

Edwards-Wright said she feels the members of the RUNegades make her feel she belongs. Plus, she knows she isn’t the only one in the group struggling with mental health issues.

Children and elite runners are welcome to race in The RUNegades' annual one-mile run in Pottstown. (Photo courtesy of RUNegades)
Children and elite runners are welcome to race in The RUNegades’ annual one-mile run in Pottstown. (Photo courtesy of RUNegades)

“I have several members in the group who have gone through similar circumstances,” she said. “There is a tightness in our group that you can’t really describe – you’re not just entering a superficial running group – you’re entering a support system.”

Ever since Edwards-Wright got out of rehab in February of this year, things are looking brighter as she celebrates her six months of sobriety.

“I finally have my real diagnosis after so many wrong ones: borderline personality disorder and complex PTSD and my husband and I are doing the best we’ve ever done,” she said.

About the Creative Health Mile

Elites, Age Groups, and Kids … and now parents with strollers! No matter your age or level of expertise, this race is for you! Race one mile down the Runway of the Heritage Field Airport! Afterward, we’ll have music, food, and an extra special free gaming area. Compete against your friends in relay-race Connect 4, Can Jam, Rim Shot, Kubb, Slam Ball, Stealth Ab Gaming Machines, Cross Net, and MORE!

When: Tonight, Friday, June 10 (register online in advance at the race until 4 pm). Bib Pickup and Day-of Registration will take place at the Airport Picnic Grove from 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm.

Location: 50 Airport Road, Pottstown, PA 19464 (Do not enter airport’s main entrance. Address will take you around the back of the airport to the Picnic Grove.)

Times: Kids and Strollers 6:40 pm, Elites 7 pm, Age Group Men 7:15 pm, Age Group Women 7:30 pm

Course: One mile down the Airport runway! No one is allowed on the runway till 6:30 pm or after 7:45 pm.

Cost: $20 online registration or mail-in until 6/17/21. $25 adult race-day registration.

ALL KIDS (11 and under) $12 online or $15 race day.

Source and for more race information: www.runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pottstown/TheSauconyMile

For more information

The RUNegades

www.runegades.com

Creative Health Services

www.creativehs.org


Source: Berkshire mont

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