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Fitness event raises awareness for suicide prevention

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 21:17 GMT by Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati
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Cincinnati’s Fitness Community Unites for Suicide Prevention Awareness

On a bright Saturday in early March, the streets of Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine district became a pulse‑filled corridor of hope. Local fitness enthusiasts, community leaders, and everyday citizens gathered for a day‑long “Run for Hope” event that combined a vigorous workout with a powerful message: that suicide prevention is a shared responsibility that transcends age, gender, and socioeconomic status. The event, co‑organized by fitness influencer Kelli Wall, mental‑health advocate Hope Define, and the Oakley Gym Class—a boutique studio in the heart of downtown—successfully drew more than 600 participants and raised nearly $15,000 for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

The Power of Movement and Message

The event’s premise was simple yet profound: the act of moving one’s body can also move one’s mind toward healthier coping mechanisms. “Exercise is a natural antidote to depression,” said Kelli Wall, who has built a local following through her Instagram fitness series and her personal journey of overcoming anxiety. “When you run, you release endorphins, but you also get an opportunity to talk about the things that are weighing you down. That conversation can be the first step toward getting help.”

The “Run for Hope” marathon began at 9 a.m. at the corner of Vine and Race, with a 5‑mile circuit that wound through the historic warehouses, past the Ohio River, and into the bustling Over-the-Rhine arts district. The route was carefully planned to accommodate walkers, joggers, and wheelchair users, with designated rest stops every mile. At each stop, volunteers offered free mental‑health brochures, quick mindfulness exercises, and hot chocolate for a quick pick‑me‑up. The organizers made a point of ensuring that the event remained inclusive and accessible: a 400‑square‑foot “Mindful Zone” was set up in a nearby park pavilion, where participants could take a break from the heat and practice deep‑breathing drills led by a certified yoga instructor.

The People Behind the Movement

While the event drew a large crowd, it was the stories of the organizers that gave it its heart. Kelli Wall, a 29‑year‑old Pilates instructor, began her activism after a close friend’s suicide last year. She founded “Run for Hope” in 2023, aiming to raise funds for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline and to destigmatize mental‑health conversations in the fitness community. Wall’s Instagram page—linked in the local12 article—features daily workout routines combined with short “mental‑health check‑ins” that encourage followers to pause and reflect.

Hope Define, a 37‑year‑old occupational therapist, has worked directly with survivors of suicidal ideation for over a decade. Define was inspired by a personal tragedy that left her with a deep sense of urgency: “I realized that many people in my field were silently suffering, and I wanted to create a platform where they could speak up without fear,” she told local12. Define co‑authored a blog post for the Cincinnati Enquirer that outlined the importance of community‑based interventions and was instrumental in securing a partnership with the local university’s counseling center.

Oakley Gym Class, a boutique fitness studio that opened its doors in 2018, played a pivotal role in logistics and fundraising. The studio’s founder, Miguel Alvarez, organized a “Donate for a Mile” campaign, encouraging members to pledge $10 for every mile they ran. Alvarez’s efforts turned the event into a community‑wide fundraiser that benefited both the local lifeline and the university’s student‑mental‑health initiative. Oakley Gym’s website, linked in the local12 piece, showcases a series of “Mind‑Body” workouts that are now free to stream for anyone who signed up for the event.

Numbers and Impact

Beyond the palpable energy of the participants, the event’s impact is reflected in tangible metrics. The 600‑strong crowd raised $14,842 for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline—a record for a single event in Cincinnati’s history. Additionally, 120 participants signed up for a free mental‑health workshop hosted by Hope Define and Oakley Gym’s counseling partner, a 3‑hour “Resilience Training” session that will run on the following weekend. Local12’s article notes that these workshops have historically led to a 45% increase in participants seeking professional help within the first month of attendance.

The event also had a measurable ripple effect on the local economy. Local12’s business column reported that the downtown area saw a 20% uptick in foot traffic, with the majority of participants stopping by nearby cafés, bookstores, and the historic theater. A spokesperson for the Over-the-Rhine Development Council praised the organizers for their “commitment to both health and economic vitality.”

Looking Ahead

As the sun set on the final mile, the organizers reflected on what the event meant for Cincinnati’s future. “We’ve created a template,” said Kelli Wall. “We can replicate this model for other cities, pairing fitness with mental‑health advocacy.” Hope Define echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of continued partnership: “The fight against suicide is ongoing. We need to keep the conversation alive in every setting—schools, workplaces, gyms, and parks.”

The local12 article concludes with a call to action, urging readers to donate, volunteer, or simply talk to someone who might be struggling. It also includes links to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s national toll‑free number and the Cincinnati Community Mental Health Center’s resources page, providing immediate avenues for help.

For anyone in Cincinnati or beyond, the “Run for Hope” event stands as a powerful reminder that when communities run together—literally and figuratively—hope can take the shape of a sunrise, and the burden of suicide can be lifted, one step at a time.