Ethan’s Purpose 5K Returns September 12th to Bring Hope,
Awareness and Community Together
HEBRON, KY — September 8, 2026 — Ethan’s Purpose will host its 7th Annual Ethan’s Purpose 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at North Pointe Elementary in Hebron, Kentucky. The annual event brings families, friends, schools, businesses and community members together to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention while honoring those whose lives have been lost to suicide.
Activities will begin at 8:00 a.m., with the 5K Run/Walk starting at 9:00 a.m. An awards ceremony recognizing the top finishers will follow the race.
But the Ethan’s Purpose 5K is about much more than running. The event is designed to be a
welcoming, family-friendly day where everyone can come together, have fun, find support and, most importantly, remind one another that no one has to face their struggles alone.
Throughout the morning, participants and families can enjoy face painting, a selfie booth, a Mindfulness Station, a creative balloon artist, food, drinks and music. Children can participate in the Fun Run, making the event an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to take part.
One of the most meaningful traditions of the event is the Remembrance Signs, which will line the race course in honor and memory of loved ones lost to suicide. As participants make their way along the course, these signs serve as a powerful reminder of the lives behind the statistics and the families and friends who continue to carry their memories forward.
This year’s event will also feature more than 10 community partner resource tables, connecting
participants with local organizations and services that support mental health and wellness. These community partners will provide information and resources designed to help individuals and families know where to turn when they need support.
About Ethan’s Purpose:
Ethan’s Purpose was founded in 2018 by Richard and Debbie Zegarra following the loss of their
16-year-old son, Ethan, to suicide. What began from unimaginable heartbreak has grown into a mission dedicated to making sure others have access to hope, support and resources before they reach a point of crisis.
Ethan’s Purpose works to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention, provide access to services, and give HOPE. The organization partners with local schools and community organizations to provide suicide prevention education and training, student mental health presentations, counseling services and peer-to-peer support through Hope Squad programs.
Through these efforts, Ethan’s Purpose has reached thousands of students, educators, families and community members throughout the region. The organization believes that conversations about mental health can save lives and that asking for help should never be a sign of weakness.
The 5K serves as both a fundraiser and a powerful opportunity to bring that mission into the community. “Let us come together as a community to celebrate and honor the lives of those we have lost to suicide, while also supporting the survivors who carry on,” said Debbie Zegarra, Executive Director of Ethan’s Purpose. “Mental illness and suicide know no boundaries. It is vital that we continue raising awareness and reminding every person we encounter that they are seen, they are heard, and they truly matter.”
The theme for this year’s event is “Let the Light In.”
It is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is hope—and sometimes letting the light in begins with simply knowing that someone is there. Ethan’s Purpose invites the community to join them on September 12 for a morning of remembrance,
connection, hope and celebration.
Event Details:
7th Annual Ethan’s Purpose 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, September 12, 2026
North Pointe Elementary — Hebron, KY
Activities: 8:00 a.m.
5K Start: 9:00 a.m.
Awards Ceremony: Following the race
For more information about Ethan’s Purpose, the 5K, or ways to support the organization’s mission, visit www.ethanspurpose.org
