Create a Race Day Team
The Thumbs Up 5K & 10K Run/Walk/Bike Event began in October 2014 in memory of community members lost to suicide. This event brings people together to support families affected by suicide loss and to encourage open conversations about mental health.
Over the years, we’ve welcomed more than 80 teams to participate in this meaningful day. Whether you’re honoring a loved one, supporting mental health awareness, or want to join a fun community event, forming a team is a powerful way to make an impact.
👉 How Teams Work:
- Teams must have at least four participants
- Businesses, organizations, friend groups, or families can all create teams
- Teams of 4+ will receive a custom team sign displayed along the 5K route
- Team signs are saved and used year after year
- Teams help us reach our fundraising goal and are eligible to participate in challenges to earn prizes while engaging with the community!
- There’s no extra cost to register as a team!
If you’ve created a team in the past, please use the same team name to keep your sign active. You’re welcome to choose any team name that’s meaningful to you!
🎉 Ready to start a team?
Click below to register and help us continue raising awareness and hope in our community.
Teams and Individuals can help us raise funds & win prizes!
The prizes will be awarded to individuals registered as part of a team or individually who raise the following increments: $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000 or more*. The prizes will be ordered and mailed to the winners following the completion of race day.
*Individuals who raise $5,000 or more will receive a lasting tribute engraved plaque to be displayed at the Thumbs Up main office.
Testimonials
Moriah P.
I met Katie through a local networking group where she shared her story. When she asked for a show of hands on who had been impacted by suicide in their family, I, along with too many other people in the room, raised my hand. I loved Katie’s authenticity and her passion to really help people in practical ways. I’ve had the joy and honor of serving on the Thumbs Up board and participating in five of the last fundraising walks/runs (several of them in my wheelchair). Mental health wasn’t talked about in my family, even after I lost an uncle to suicide. The last couple years have been incredibly difficult for me as I’ve dealt with personal loss, chronic pain, and anxiety. Thumbs Up has gave me courage to start counseling for the first time and connected me with local therapists. God has used the therapy process to bring me to a much better place and learn that being authentic and vulnerable is actually a doorway to healing and progress. It’s important to know that mental/spiritual healing is an evolving journey with lots of ups and downs, but the journey us much easier when you know you’re not alone. Because of Thumbs Up, me and many other people in our community know we are not alone. There is hope, healing, and a path forward. Thanks Katie and team! Keep up the good work!
Anonymous
I walk for mental health because I believe in the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues and promoting overall wellbeing. Walking for mental health allows us to raise awareness, show support, and advocate for better resources and treatment options for those who are struggling. By participating in events like the 5K walk, we can come together as a community to prioritize mental health, honor our loved ones, and work towards a society where mental health care is accessible and accepted without judgment.
Anonymous
Together, Team “Remembering Hope” is committed to walking for a cause, raising awareness about mental health issues, honoring their loved ones, and promoting support and understanding for those facing mental health challenges.
Anonymous
My son and his wife wanted to run the 5K, so I took their three children on the 5K walk. We had a blast with the fellow walkers, and the kids enjoyed the events afterwards, including the face painting, hair coloring, obstacle course, bracelets, bingo, and the food treats. It was a wonderful time with the grandkids and their parents. I also had a good discussion on the walk with my eight-year-old granddaughter on what “suicide prevention” means. Thanks for providing the forum.
Anonymous
Thumbs Up is an incredible and undervalued resource in our community. Their mission to end the stigma surrounding mental health aligns with mine, and that made supporting the non-profit so easy. After my own mental health struggles, Thumbs Up was a non-profit I knew I could help others through sharing my own time and money. The impact that they make in the community is amazing and you can truly see the connections built through the Thumbs Up 5k/10k that make supporting the non-profit easy.
Anonymous
Deep deep gratitude for the hope & connection you bring our communities, families, students, & staff. So blessed & humbled to collaborate, team & journey with you & the amazeballs Team at Thumbs-Up!
2025 Top Team Fundraisers
- Team Grandpa Bob – $10,659.11
- Choosing Happiness – $8,020.56
- Jonathan’s Team – $6,621.36
- Team JJ – $3,730.05
- Prestige Drywall – $3,281.15
- Wish You Were Here – $3,214.84
- Trizzle Trazzle Trizzle Troll – $2,990.81
- Riverway Elk River – $2,137.28
- Pause; – $2,037.02
- Carter Crew – $2,016.05
2025 Top Individual Fundraisers
- Katie Shatusky – $7,968.39
- Joe Payne – $4,090.11
- Kate Simonet – $3,886.84
- Chris Merritt – $3,196.70
- Kristen Burma – $1,782.35
- Lynn Ulwelling – $1,732.63
- Jody Kreuser – $1,665.73
- Andrea Rossow – $1,115.91
- Ryan Gleason – $1,027.91
- Asa Veek – $1,003.90