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How the Oakwood24 run/walk started—and continues—to race toward positive change in partnership with Healing Transitions.
Running for 24 hours may seem like… a lot. But Oakwood24, a 24-hour run/walk in Oakwood Cemetery from Dec. 22 to 23, supports a great cause worth the shin splints: long-term addiction recovery via Healing Transitions.
Not feeling a daylong jaunt? Rest assured, you don’t have to go big or go home. Participants can opt to run or stroll in six- or 12-hour timed challenges instead. NTM new this year are 12- and 24-hour relays, allowing small teams of people to participate together. … After all, teamwork makes the dream work!
Jumping back to the starting line, the run found its beginnings in 2018 with Raleigh resident Jon Frey, who struggled with alcoholism and drug abuse for years before eventually ending up at Healing Transitions. Now, the Oakwood24 founder credits the healing org for playing a huge part in his recovery.
“I found myself at a jumping off point where I was either going to drink myself to death or I was going to get some help,” reflects Frey. “I made the decision to get help in August 2016, and I went through Healing Transitions’ yearlong program.”
While in the program, Frey craved activity, as his years of alcohol and substance abuse had taken a toll on his physical health. He got involved with the fitness group F3, where he met friend and mentor Charlie Engle. Soon after, the pair began regularly running together. Engle, an ultralong-distance runner, encouraged Frey to join him on a small 24-hour fundraiser run in Clinton, NC, once he finished his time at Healing Transitions.
“I went down there with him and did this small lap race, and I ended up running 100 miles—and that got me hooked,” says Frey of the start of his love affair with running.
Frey soon began looking for ways to give back to Healing Transitions, and one of the first things that came to mind was a 24-hour run to raise money for the nonprofit. Frey organized the first run amid the backdrop of the historic Oakwood Cemetery due to its low traffic, scenery and elevation changes, which positioned it as an ideal spot to run mile after mile… after mile.
As far as support, Frey asked people to contribute per-mile donations, thus raising $30,000—$40,000 via that first run alone. Flash-forward and Oakwood24 is now entering its sixth year, so far raising a whooping $500,000+ for Healing Transitions.
“There’s a competitive side to it, but we also have people who just come out and hang around the bonfire or walk—or run five or six laps with me,” shares Frey. “It’s really become a community event.” … Ready to lace up your sneaks in support of a good cause?
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