The MAGIC CITY
A 5K run/walk event (race for time & place or move at your own pace)
May 2, 2026 ⭐️ 9am ⭐️ Railroad Park
Why "Be the One" exists
✅ Suicide is a big issue. And "not" talking about it doesn't make it disappear.
✅ Conversation and connection help. When we remove the stigma of shame and set the issue "into the light," we come together and find healing.
✅ We can create meaningful change by moving the issue into the open, rallying together... because life is beautiful, but it's also hard.
✅ We all struggle on some level, but the effects of military service often amplify and prolong those struggles.
✅ None of us need to walk through the hurts, habits, and hangups we've experienced... and step towards healing & wholeness... on our own.
Let's do this together!
Two Elements of Be The One
Hope in Motion / Courage in Action
Sometimes, we're "the help."
We're the one who steps in to encourage and uplift someone else...
You never know what the next person you encounter has been through-- whether they're a friend, a family member, or a stranger.
In those moments, we get to express "hope in motion" and be the one who-- through our interaction with them-- makes their day better.
Other times, we're the "helped."
We're the one who needs to muster "60 seconds of courage" and step back from what could be a permanent (and fatal) resolution to a temporary (even if seemingly big) problem.
We need to take action in a positive direction-- away from the problem and towards a potential solution.
Three Ways You Can Help
1. Move
Run-- or walk-- the 5K on May 2, 2026.
Not up for the race? Run (or walk) with us at your own pace.
Need a training plan? Join the "Couch to 5K" program that launches January 2026.
2. Money
Donate to the cause.
You can "round up" your registration to any amount over the signup fee, you can leave a donation at the top of the page, or you can become an event sponsor.
100% of the funds raised through this effort will fund local projects that help warriors overcome the pains of the past, find healing, and walk into their purpose.
3. Make a connection
Leverage your influence, relationships, and strategic connections to promote the event or the cause itself.
This might look like--
📳 Sharing this page to your social media profiles
🎙️ Inviting one of our team members to speak to your group, business, or other organization
⭐️ Hosting one of our reps on your podcast, your TV show, your YouTube stream, or some other "space" where you share important ideas
✅ Connecting us to your church, your small group, or your other relational hub
📌 Posting, reposting, and sharing our social media posts and marketing pieces
💭 Some other awesome idea you have
Why We're Doing It
You've likely heard the "22 per day" veteran suicide statistic-- the numbers from 2012. In 2022, the Department of Defense studied the suicide epidemic for the 20 year period of 2001 to 2020. Here's what they reported.
7,000 Killed in Action
According to the Department of Defense (DOD), more than 7,000 American service members have been killed in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq alone since 2001 and more than 16,000 have died of other causes (accidents, illness, etc.) in that time.
To be clear, since 2001 over 7,000 warriors died in combat.
5,500 Self-inflicted injury during the same period
The DOD also reported this:
During the 20-year time period from 2001-2020 more than 5,500 in service have died from “self-inflicted injury” (a designation for suicide used by the Department of Defense).
These 5,500 died of self-inflicted injuries while serving (meaning a warrior was almost as likely to take his own life while serving as dying in combat).
And far more thereafter
Though the numbers peaked at 22/day in 2012, the numbers remain high.
According to the DOD:
6,000+ veterans died of self-inflicted injuries per year after discharging from the service.
Using the numbers provided in the Department of Defense's 2022 report means that throughout the period of 2001 to 2020 the average suicide rate among veterans was 16 to 18 per day...
... for a total of over 130,000.
What's behind the epidemic?
Any part of you can be injured.
We're familiar with bodily injuries and even "soul hurts" (our emotions).
It's important to remember that:
💔 Your spirit (conscience) can also be injured
❤️🩹 The result of a wounded conscience most often looks like "guilt and shame"
❤️🔥 We must seek to heal the kind of hurt we have-- or the healing protocol will be ineffective
Many believe PTSD is the primary cause of the suicide epidemic.
But it may actually be Moral Injury.
Whereas PTSD is a response to external "triggers" (i.e., such that we reach in the present as if it is the past), Moral Injury is a response to "internal threats."
Moral Injury occurs when we do something (or fail to do something) that violates our conscience-- our "moral code."
Time heals "some" wounds...
The symptoms of PTSD often subside over time, as affected persons learn to recognize triggers, create everyday strategies to respond in healthier ways, and begin moving forward.
Some hurts "get worse" over time.
Whereas PTSD may "lessen" over time, Moral Injury often gets worse.
Over time, the symptoms of guilt and shame compound, creating a "no win" cycle of despair and hopelessness.
Is Moral Injury the primary cause?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide rates tend to go up around the age of 50. In fact, among males, the suicide rate was highest for those aged 75 and older.
Why?
It seems people struggling with Moral Injury may "hold on" to take care of responsibilities, such as raising kids. Then, with the load of everyday obligations lessening while the internal angst increases, they lose the invisible battle within.
What We Want Warriors to Know
Run-- or walk-- with us and show our warriors that:
1️⃣ You matter. We're grateful for your service and recognize that the cost of serving often endures long after the enlistment period ends.
2️⃣ You are not alone. Even if we can't fully understand what you've been through, we stand with you.
What We're Funding
100% of the money raised stays local!
Our team is focused on local projects-- in our area-- that facilitate awareness AND action.
1️⃣ Awareness of the issues regarding veteran suicide and suicide prevention = because you can't heal a hurt you don't acknowledge
2️⃣ Action plans through workshops, support groups, and resources that address the issue = because acknowledging there is an issue doesn't solve it without followthrough
Funding Goal
Our financial goal: $100,000
Through a combination of--
👟 Race / walk registrations (1,000+)
🥇🥈🥉 Sponsorships of any level from businesses, corporations, foundations, church groups, and more
⭐️ Individual donations + recurring sponsorships towards the effort
-- we seek to raise $100,000 before May 2, 2026!
Our ROI: 10,000 persons impacted & the movement is just getting started!
The funds will enable us to--
📙🖥️ Purchase resources for our heroes
🎙️ Host workshops, training events, and CEUs
Together, with you, we wil touch--
📈 3,500 heroes + their families (2.5 people per) for a total of 10,000 persons impacted at just a cost of $10/per person
Common Questions
If we were sitting at a coffee shop, you might have a few questions for us. Since we're here and you're there... let us provide you with some of the most common we receive.
⁉️ Is this a legit race, a fun run, or a walk?
⁉️ How much does it cost to register?
⁉️ When is the run scheduled?
⁉️ What if it rains or the weather is bad?
⁉️ Is my registration refundable?
⁉️ Can I register a group, bring a group, etc...?
⁉️ What about my business or organization sponsoring the event?
⁉️ Can I make a donation to the cause?
⁉️ Can someone from your team speak to my group, on my podcast, my show, etc..?
⁉️ Who is "responsible" for the event?
⁉️ Can I help even if I'm not local?
⁉️ What if I have other questions?
How to Financially Support
The Team
What You Get
T-shirt
Run-- or walk-- the 5K and you'll receive the "BeTheOne" race day shirt. We've designed it to be something you'll wear long after the race, a high-quality piece of clothing guaranteed to be a conversation starter.
Hydration & snacks
We'll have plenty of water stations located strategically throughout the race route.
Drawing for cool prizes
Throughout 2026, leading up to the race, we'll do a weekly drawing for some great prizes sponsors have pulled together-- things like free food, store credits at barber shops & nail salons, and more.
Every registrant is in the "raffle" for these small (but awesome!) prizes that have been donated to the effort. The sooner you register, the more chances you have to win!
"Be one" who is part of the solution!
Here's the biggie-- you'll join a group of like-minded people who want to lock arms and be part of a solution that impacts so many of us in various ways that we don't yet completely understand... yet, we can forge a path forward together. We can help a lot of our heroes and have fun doing it-- all while tackling a very serious issue.
Signup Here!
Choose one or the other-- you can always change your mind later. This helps us "sort" traffic and plan at the highest level!
