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Run for the Ones We Miss: United2Prevent’s 4th Annual 5K & 1-Mile Returns Sept. 13 to Downtown Valdosta

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By Carol A. Gasser Moore |

VALDOSTA, Lowndes County, Ga.  — United2Prevent will host its 4th Annual Run to Prevent on Saturday, September 13, 2025, uniting families, friends, survivors and supporters for a 5K and 1-mile fun run at Unity Park Amphitheater (301 E. Central Ave.) in Downtown Valdosta. Race-day registration opens at 7:00 a.m.; the 5K starts at 8:00 a.m., and the 1-mile follows at 9:00 a.m. Awards will be presented immediately after the fun run, and the morning will feature live music, food trucks, and therapy dogs—a welcoming space for everyone to gather in hope and remembrance. 

What’s new/confirmed for 2025

  • Early packet pickup: Friday, Sept. 12, 5:30–6:30 p.m. at Central Avenue Church of Christ (304 E. Central Ave., Valdosta).
  • Shirt guarantee: Register by Sept. 1 to guarantee an event T-shirt; after that date, shirts are first-come, while supplies last. (Day-of registration is available.)
  • Registration & details: Online registration and event info are available via United2Prevent and the official race page.

Note on pricing: In prior years, early-bird 5K pricing was $25 with a T-shirt guaranteed through Sept. 1 and $30 afterward. 2025 pricing will follow the official registration site; check the live registration page before you sign up.

Why it matters

Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the U.S. The CDC reports 49,316 deaths in 2023—about one death every 11 minutes—underscoring the urgent need for prevention, connection, and local support.

About United2Prevent

United2Prevent is a Valdosta-area nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention, awareness, and de-stigmatizing mental illness, led by a board that includes survivors, mental-health clinicians, and medical providers. Proceeds from the run sustain training, education, and survivor support across South Georgia.

Honor & remembrance

Participants and families looking to honor loved ones may explore United2Prevent’s “Say Their Name” remembrance initiative and other volunteer opportunities linked from the organization’s hub.

If you or someone you love needs help—right now

  • Call/Text/Chat 988 (24/7). In Georgia, 988 connects directly to the Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL) for local support.
  • In an emergency, call 911. Local crisis resources are also listed by Valdosta State University’s Counseling Center.

Event at a glance

  • Date/Place: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 — Unity Park Amphitheater, Downtown Valdosta.
  • Schedule: Registration 7:00–7:45 a.m.; 5K at 8:00 a.m.; 1-mile at 9:00 a.m.; awards to follow.
  • Early pickup: Friday, Sept. 12 (5:30–6:30 p.m.), Central Avenue Church of Christ, 304 E. Central Ave.
  • Register/Info: United2Prevent + official race page.

Have a memorial photo or short remembrance you’d like included in our event-day coverage? Send it to the newsroom, and we’ll handle with care.

 

Posted in Breaking News, Local Lens

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