Image credit: Gurr Media for 21 Run Club.
Adelaide, it’s time to strap on your running shoes and start moving for this amazing cause.
Glenelg-based 21 Run Club is running for better mental health, kickstarting a conversation about mental wellbeing and cultivating a community of positive, like-minded individuals as it goes.
Behind the initiative is Jack Shephard, the 25-year-old who’s striving to shatter the stigma still attached to mental health and help individuals open up about their wellbeing – in good times and bad.
Open to anyone, the group meets at 6:30am at the Glenelg Jetty each Friday before setting out on their early-morning jog and a cheeky coffee at Fourth afterwards.
“Running is an amazing way to connect with people, share a sweat and move one step closer to better mental health and more honest conversations,” says Shephard.
“The first week had 3 guys come out, to now where we are having around 30-40 people come out most weeks, it’s been amazing to see it grow and people showing up for the ‘WHY’,” says Shephard.
The notion behind the club stems from Shephard’s awe-inspiring mental health goal, 21 in 21. The aptly named idea will see Shephard run an amazing 2,100km and complete 21 half-marathons this year, all while raising $21,000 for various mental health support programs and organisations.
“The topic of mental health and the struggles with mental illness is something super close to my heart and to say that I’m passionate about it would be an understatement,” says Shephard.
“The idea to start this initiative stems from my personal experience with mental illness and trying to highlight the power of speaking more openly and honestly with mental health.”
So far, the cause has raised over $6,000, with all proceeds donated to four amazing mental health charities. Shephard has chosen The Rise Foundation, Headspace, Movember and the Adelaide-based Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation.
With a rescheduled fundraising Gala and silent auction in the works, snazzy pink merchandise t-shirts and hats, 21 in 21 looks to be steadily moving towards reaching its fundraising goal, and in turn, making its mark in the mental health world.
“I want to connect with as many people I can this year and hope to make a genuine difference to the mental health space and people’s lives, and doing that every day is what drives me. I’m excited to just finished the goals and targets we have set for this year,” says Shephard.
“One more conversation than was previously had is a massive step forward in this fight, so I hope that someone, even if it’s one person, can take away some learnings from the cause.”
Join Jack and others every Friday at 6:30 am on the Glenelg Jetty and start running towards mental health.
To donate to the amazing cause, head to the 21 in 21 go-fund-me. To keep up with Jack’s journey, follow the 21 Run Club Instagram and Facebook.
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