Team Up: Run For Research

In 2017, Lindsey – an engineer and former collegiate track and field athlete – spent the entire year raising money for mental health research by documenting her journey as she ran a new race each month throughout North America.

Running was always an outlet for Lindsey, a way to deal with everyday stresses, “however when life took an unforeseen turn, as it normally does, and running was no longer enough to keep my mental health in check, I was lost.” As she began to open up about her struggles with stress and anxiety, she realized that many people in her life were sharing in similar experiences. That’s when she decided to combine her passion for running with a bigger goal – raising money to help fund scientific research.

Lindsey states on her webpage:

“Running has always been my outlet, through high school, college, and even now in the professional world. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to find a way to cope with the struggles of stress, anxiety, and other mental challenges can impact daily life. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans have a diagnosed mental illness, and many more are suffering without any form of formal diagnosis. I have supported countless friends as they struggle with various forms of mental illnesses and come to see that it’s hardly a cut and dry situation. The stigma, awareness, understanding, and available resources, for both those personally struggling with mental illness and those supporting individuals around them as they cope with mental illness, leaves a lot to be desired.”

She has run over 100 miles, around cities and through mountains in the US and Canada. Each race ranged in distance from a 5k to marathons, and Lindsey reached new personal bests along the way.

“The support that I have received and stories that have been shared as a result of this undertaking have been well beyond anything I could have imagined when I started this mission and for that I am incredibly humbled and grateful. I look forward to the achievements science can bring to understanding and alleviating mental illnesses.”

She chose to support the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation because of her background in engineering and science.

“I wanted to find a way to contribute to the better understanding and treatment of mental illnesses, and with an appreciation for how valuable grants can be in advancing science, supporting the BBRF provided that opportunity.”

Last year Lindsey’s race schedule looked like this:

• January: Austin 3M Half Marathon (Austin, Texas)
• February: Ft. Lauderdale Half Marathon (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)
• March: Craicfest 5k (Boston, Massachusetts)
• April: Cobble Hill 20k (Cobble Hill, British Columbia)
• May: Montana Spartan Beast (Bigfork, Montana)
• June: Toronto Spartan Spring (Toronto, Ontario)
• July: Rugged Maniac (Freehold, New Jersey)
• August: Whistler 11k (Whistler Mountain, British Columbia)
• September: DC Spartan Sprint (Mechanicsville, Maryland)
• October: Freedom's Run Half Marathon (Shepherdstown, West Virginia)
• November: Philadelphia Marathon (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
• December: Reindeer Romp (Newark, Delaware)

Thank you, Lindsey, for running long and winding roads in support of those living with mental illness. We were proud to be at your back the entire time!

Learn more about Lindsey’s adventures on her fundraising page and her personal website.

Feeling inspired by Lindsey’s story? Learn more about our Team Up for Research Program and the many fun ways you can raise money and awareness for the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.