Fourth Annual Fredrick Michael Gibson 5K/10K Run for Depression Awareness - Scheduled for Saturday, October 16

The event will be held in a new location – Rancho Simi Community Park
​in Simi Valley, CA ​

(Simi Valley, CA) August 17, 2021 – The Fourth Annual Fredrick Michael Gibson 5K/10K Run for Depression Awareness is slated for Saturday, October 16. The Run will be held in a new location this year at the Rancho Simi Community Park (also known as the Duck Park), at 1765 Royal Ave in Simi Valley, CA. Start time for the 5K/10K Run is 8:00 a.m., followed by the start of the 1K Kids Run at 9:30 a.m.
 
The new location is ideal for runners of all levels, with its flat and fast course that aligns with the lovely Arroyo Simi Greenway. Runners will receive a free pancake breakfast donated and prepared by the Y’s Men; a program run by the Simi Valley Family YMCA. And, in keeping with tradition, a Kids 1K Run will be part of this event, and will include a fun and challenging obstacle course for them to interact with during their run. Lastly, a blood mobile will be on site collecting blood donations. The blood drive is open to participants and spectators as well.

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Registration for the Run is now open at www.freeclinicsv.com. Fees for the Run are as follows:

Now through September 15 - $25 – 5K, $35 – 10K, $5 – 1K, beginning September 16 fees will increase by $5 … Kids Run fee will remain the same. Runners may also signup their dogs for a fee of $5. Want to participant from the comfort of your home? Sign up for the Virtual Run for $25.  Each runner will receive a medal and a T-shirt. First, second, and third place awards will be given out for 12 age divisions, for men and women, plus an award for the over-all 5K and 10K winners.

REGISTER HERE

All proceeds from the event go directly to the Free Clinic of Simi Valley. The Clinic has been operating in Simi Valley for 50 years, providing medical, dental, family counseling and legal services. With COVID-19, mental health issues have been on the rise, specifically depression and people needing help coping with isolation. Now more than ever, the family counseling services offered by the Free Clinic are invaluable.
 
The Fredrick Michael Gibson 5K/10K Run is in honor of Fredrick. The Run is also focused on building awareness in the community about depression and spreading the message of … Don’t Suffer in Silence.  We Walk, We Run, We Heal. Together.

“I never want another family to go through what I saw my sister’s family go through. The pain and heartache of losing someone to depression. If I can get the word out there to anyone who is suffering, and let them know someone is listening and cares, then I have done what I set out to do. Don’t suffer in silence,” said Karen Finmark, Run Coordinator (and Fredrick’s favorite Aunt).

​For more information about the Fredrick Michael Gibson 5K/10K Run contact Fred Bauermeister at 805-522-3733 or log onto the Free Clinic of Simi Valley website at www.freeclinicsv.com.

About the Free Clinic of Simi Valley: Established in 1971, the Free Clinic of Simi Valley is one of the oldest Free Clinics in the United States. The Free Clinic provides medical, dental, family counseling, and legal services to individuals and families who are under insured or underserved.

The Clinic has four employees and receives support from 165 volunteer professionals. Thanks to the generous financial support from community members, corporations, foundations and amazing partnerships with the City of Simi Valley, Kaiser Permanente, Adventist Health Simi Valley, as well as other local businesses, the Free Clinic serves an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 clients per year.  

REGISTER HERE