Love & Lean Walk/Run for Mental Health – 11th Annual 2027 — Zeeland, MI

LOVE yourself and know that your pain is real, but so is hope. & LEAN on others (faith, family, friends, teachers, neighbors, co-workers, coaches, counselors, healthcare professionals and community) for help, because the more you lean, the stronger you grow in mental fitness. Join us on Saturday, April 24, 2027, for the 11th Annual Love & Lean Walk/Run for Mental Health! This annual event was inspired by the loss of Zach Kroll, a sophomore at Zeeland East, who silently suffered from depression and died by suicide in 2015 at the age of 15. Zach’s family and friends desire to use this awareness event to reach out to others and make a positive impact in the community. It is so important to recognize the signs of mental illness and have the confidence to take action when helping yourself or others. Our goal is to reduce the shame and secrecy surrounding mental illness, so less people struggle silently, and more people seek help. Through raising mental health awareness, we will all learn how to be more involved and effective in saving lives. OPTIONS Run a 5K. Walk a 5K. Or, walk/run a shorter 1.5 mile route. Scroll down to the end of page to view the Course Map and become familiar with the route. Physical activity is good for mental health! The route will have a variety of terrain, mainly consisting of sidewalks and bike paths, as well as trails through the wetlands. It will also be lined with memorial pictures, motivating interaction, sidewalk chalk inspiration, and encouraging message signs. Zeeland’s Cityside & Creekside combined 7th grade band will be motivating you to the finish line. VIRTUAL OPTION Can’t join us in person? No problem! Participate on your own schedule. You will receive a participant bib, finisher medal and event t-shirt. All virtual run packets will be mailed after April 24, 2027. Don’t forget to post your photos and tag us using: #zakimpact and #loveandlean. GATHERING LOCATION Zeeland High School Stadium (south side of parking lot) 9900 Riley Street Zeeland, MI 49464 TIME 8:00 AM Check-In, Packet Pick Up & Late Registration 9:00 AM Opening Remarks 9:15 AM Start EARLY CHECK-IN We encourage you to come to early check-in on Friday, April 23, from 4:30 - 6:30PM at Haven Church (541 Alice Street, Zeeland, MI 49464). If you cannot make it Friday night, you can pick up your event packet when check-in begins at 8:00AM on Saturday. DRAWING This year we will again have some amazing gifts for our drawing on event day. These gifts are donated by local businesses and organizations that support mental health. Register before March 31 and receive 2 drawing tickets. Enter your tickets into the box by the gift of your choice for a chance to win. Drawing boxes will be available at Early Check-In and also at the event. DONATIONS Love & Lean is now operating on its own as a 501(c)3! The following percentages of net proceeds (after event expenses) will be distributed among the selected organizations for 2027: TBD To broaden the reach of your generosity, the donations (listed above) will be distributed among trusted mental health organizations, ensuring that your contribution reaches multiple communities. Through your giving, we can help more individuals and also provide broader awareness of education, counseling, support and prevention programs. MEMORIAL SIGNS If you would like a memorial sign placed along the walk to honor a loved one, please email loveandlean15@gmail.com with a JPG picture and name by March 31, 2027. TIMING Only the 5K route will be chip timed. Please wear your bib on the front of your shirt during the entire race. Immediately after the event, your time for the 5K Walk/Run will be available on the website. FAMILY DISCOUNT When registering 4 or more immediate family members for the 5K Walk/Run, each participant's registration fee will be discounted by $5. This does not apply to the 1.5 mile option. SHIRTS Event long sleeve t-shirts are included with the 5K Walk/Run, and optional with the 1.5 Mile Walk. EVENT SHIRT DEADLINE IS TUESDAY, APRIL 13! This is a firm deadline in order to have t-shirts ordered, printed and available before the event! Participants who register after April 13 (except virtual participants) will have two options: Choose a t-shirt size when registering and then do a porch pickup in Zeeland when shirts arrive (approximately a week or two after event). There is no extra cost. Porch pickup will be available until May 15. Choose "No t-shirt needed" option. Participant will not receive an event shirt. A limited supply of additional t-shirts will be available for $25 each at Early Check-In on Friday, April 23, and at the Registration Tent the day of the event. CREATE A TEAM Create a team on the registration website and recruit people to sign up under that team name. For example - sign up to represent a church, company, athletic team, extra-curricular group, school, class, or in memory of a loved one or friend. CONNECT BEADS Feel connected as a community by wearing the personized