Mental Health Matters 5k Walk/Run for Awareness
Lace up and join us on Saturday, September 19, 2026, for the Mental Health Matters 5k Walk/Run for Awareness! Hosted by All Souls Counseling Center on the UNC Asheville campus, this is a timed, family-friendly race with a purpose: normalizing conversations about mental health and connecting participants with support resources available right here in WNC. Beyond the walk and run, you'll find a community Health and Resource Fair featuring mental health and wellness organizations from across the region — a reminder that asking for help is something worth celebrating, not hiding. All proceeds will go toward supporting All Souls Counseling Center's mission to provide accessible mental health counseling to adults who are underinsured and uninsured in Western North Carolina.
NEW for 2026: All participants will be professionally chip timed! Two walk/run options will be available:
- Walk or run the route on UNCA's campus
- Walk or run around UNCA's Karl Straus Track
Pricing tiers:
- Free for ages 22 and under!
- $25 April 28–May 4 (Early Bird Pricing)
- $30 May 5–September 4
- $35 September 5–September 18
- $40 September 19 (Race Day!)
T-shirt:
The first 400 who register will receive an event T-shirt — design forthcoming!
Race Packet Pickup | Friday, September 18
- Time: 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Location: Asheville Chamber of Commerce — convenient drive-through pickup!
- Beat the race-day rush! We strongly encourage picking up your packet on Friday to save time. If you can’t make it, friends or family members are welcome to pick up your packet for you. Otherwise, packet pickup will be available on race morning.
Race Day Schedule | Saturday, September 19
- 8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Participants arrive to find parking, walk to the track, and check in
- 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Check out the Health and Resource Fair
- 9:45 a.m. Participants meet in front of the bleachers for a short program
- 10:00 a.m. 5k walk/run begins!
- Rolling awards ceremony as results are certified! (Usually 20-30 minutes after runners cross the finish line). Post walk/run and awards, enjoy top runner recognition and bonus Health and Resource Fair time
Awards
- The top finisher in each gender division will receive a $50 gift card to a local business.
- The top 3 finishers in each gender division per age group will receive an eco-friendly medal.
Gender divisions are based on registration; awards within each division may be scaled to the number of finishers in that division. Award winners must be present at the time of recognition to receive their medals/prizes.
Age groups:
- 9 and under
- 10–14
- 15–19
- 20–29
- 30–39
- 40–49
- 50–59
- 60–69
- 70+
Stay tuned for:
- Volunteer opportunities!
- Health and Resource Fair sign-ups!
- Course map!
UNC Asheville requires paid parking for all vehicles. (As of April 28, 2026, the cost is $3.) Their online portal provides convenient payment in advance using your license plate number. Walk/Run registration fees are non-refundable. This event is rain or shine. For questions about the Walk/Run, please visit our FAQ page.
About All Souls Counseling Center:
All Souls Counseling Center (ASCC), a 501c3 organization in its 25th year of operation, serves as a leading nonprofit provider and community partner for quality mental health counseling, outreach, and education with a focus on those who are underinsured and uninsured in Western NC. Based in Asheville, we serve our region by providing individual, couples, and group counseling on a sliding scale, with no one turned away for inability to pay. We are deeply passionate about eliminating barriers to mental health services and seeking a like-minded professional. We continue to be engaged in mental health recovery and support following the impact of Hurricane Helene. We provide individual, couples, and group therapy addressing issues that include, but are not limited to: depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, addiction recovery, grief and loss, life transitions, postpartum depression, parenting issues, sexual orientation or gender identity issues (LGBTQ affirming), relationship issues, and counseling for victims of crime and domestic violence. Group counseling options include Survivors of Suicide Loss for those who have lost a loved one to suicide, Grief & Loss, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). For more information, please visit our website www.allsoulscounseling.org