BE KIND TO YOUR MIND VIRTUAL RACE 💚

Every Mile Is an Act of Self-Care

Your mental health matters.

Your well-being matters.

And so do you.

The Be Kind to Your Mind Virtual Race is a mental health awareness running and walking challenge created as a reminder to slow down, take care of yourself, encourage others, and keep moving forward—one step at a time.

Choose a 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, or Marathon, complete your challenge anywhere you choose during 2026, and earn a beautiful Be Kind to Your Mind finisher medal.

Run for yourself.

Walk for someone you love.

Take your miles outside when you need some fresh air.

Or simply use this challenge as motivation to make a little more time for yourself.

There is no pressure to be the fastest.

There is no perfect pace.

Just keep moving forward.

CHOOSE YOUR DISTANCE

💚 1 Mile
💚 5K
💚 10K
💚 Half Marathon — 13.1 Miles
💚 Marathon — 26.2 Miles

🏅 Collectible Be Kind to Your Mind finisher medal
🎽 Race bib included
🏃 Run, walk, jog, or hike
📍 Complete your race anywhere
📅 Complete anytime during 2026
👟 Beginner and walker friendly
❤️ At least 15% donated to Mental Health America
🌎 Join a community that has helped raise more than $1 million for charities

Your race. Your pace. Your journey.

BE KIND TO YOUR MIND

We spend so much time taking care of everything and everyone around us.

Work.

Family.

Responsibilities.

Deadlines.

Appointments.

To-do lists.

Sometimes we need a reminder that taking care of ourselves belongs on that list too.

Movement doesn't solve every problem, and this race isn't about pretending that it does.

Instead, it's an invitation to set aside some time for yourself.

Take a walk.

Go for a run.

Step outside.

Breathe.

Turn on your favorite playlist.

Call a friend and walk together.

Choose a goal and work toward it one mile at a time.

Sometimes progress looks like a marathon.

Sometimes it looks like getting outside for one mile.

Both count.

EVERY MILE CAN MEAN SOMETHING DIFFERENT

There isn't one reason to participate in the Be Kind to Your Mind Virtual Race.

Maybe you're completing it as part of your own wellness journey.

Maybe you're honoring someone you love.

Maybe mental health awareness is deeply important to you.

Maybe you're working toward your first 5K.

Or maybe you simply saw the message “Be Kind to Your Mind” and realized it was something you needed to hear.

Whatever brought you here, your challenge belongs to you.

You don't have to explain your miles for them to matter.

A MEDAL WITH A MESSAGE 💚

Your registration includes a colorful Be Kind to Your Mind collectible finisher medal and race bib. Your medal and bib typically ship within 2–5 business days after registration. 

The medal isn't simply a reward for finishing a distance.

It's a reminder.

A reminder to give yourself grace.

A reminder that rest matters.

A reminder that asking for help is okay.

A reminder to check on the people you care about.

And a reminder that sometimes the most important progress happens one small step at a time.

Keep it somewhere you'll see it.

Because “Be Kind to Your Mind” is a message worth remembering long after your race is finished.

HOW DOES THE VIRTUAL RACE WORK?

1. CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE

Select:

1 Mile • 5K • 10K • Half Marathon • Marathon

Choose the distance that feels right for you.

2. CHOOSE YOUR PLACE

Complete your miles anywhere:

• Around your neighborhood
• At a local park
• On your favorite trail
• At the gym
• On a treadmill
• On a running track
• While traveling
• During another organized race

3. GO AT YOUR OWN PACE

Run.

Walk.

Jog.

Hike.

You can complete your chosen distance in one session or spread your miles over multiple days.

There is no required pace.

This challenge is about progress—not pressure.

4. CELEBRATE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT

Track your miles using whatever method works best for you.

Submitting your results is optional, and your medal ships after registration rather than requiring you to submit a finish time first. 

When you finish, take a moment to recognize what you accomplished.

Whether it was one mile or 26.2...

You showed up for yourself.

WALK IT WITH SOMEONE YOU LOVE

The Be Kind to Your Mind Virtual Race can also be a meaningful challenge to complete together.

Invite a:

• Friend
• Family member
• Coworker
• Running buddy
• Walking partner
• Wellness group
• School group
• Community group

Walk together.

Talk.

Laugh.

Listen.

Encourage each other.

Sometimes a few miles with someone we care about can become the best part of the week.

Move together. Connect with each other. Be kind to yourselves.

SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

At least 15% of every registration is donated to Mental Health America, supporting work focused on mental wellness, education, advocacy, community programs, and resources.

Mental Health Awareness Month is recognized in May, but caring for our mental and emotional well-being matters throughout the entire year.

That's why this challenge can be completed anytime during 2026.

Your miles can help start conversations.

They can show support.

They can honor someone.

And they can help contribute to an organization working to make mental health resources and information more accessible.

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Make your miles matter.

Virtual Run Events independently selects charitable organizations to support through our virtual races and is not affiliated with Mental Health America.

MORE THAN $1 MILLION RAISED FOR CHARITY

Since 2013, the Virtual Run Events community has helped raise more than $1 million for charities and nonprofit organizations.

Every registration contributes to that larger mission.

Every participant helps us support another cause.

And every mile can become part of something bigger.

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL RACE?

A virtual race is a running or walking challenge you complete on your own schedule from virtually anywhere.

There is no crowded starting line.

No race-day travel.

No minimum pace.

No pressure to keep up with anyone else.

Choose your distance.

Choose your course.

Choose your pace.

Walk outside.

Run on a treadmill.

Hike a trail.

Complete your miles alone or with someone you care about.

Your race. Your pace. Your way.

ONE STEP AT A TIME 💚

You don't have to have everything figured out.

You don't have to move faster than everyone else.

You don't have to complete the biggest distance.

Just choose a goal that feels meaningful to you.

Take the first step.

Then another.

And another.

Celebrate your progress along the way.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF. BE KIND TO OTHERS.

BE KIND TO YOUR MIND. 💚

1 Mile • 5K • 10K • 13.1 • 26.2