CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A free 5K fun run supporting veterans, active military members and their families will take place at the Cheyenne Regional Airport on Saturday, Aug. 26.
The airport and Rise Foundation of Wyoming are teaming up to host the city’s first 5K on the Runway event at 4020 Airport Parkway West. The run will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. and will also feature wellness resources and providers, food and drink from local vendors and a cornhole tournament, an event announcement states.
There will be a marked path on the airport’s new runway for participants to follow. The event is non-competitive and untimed, according to Dan Young, president of the Rise Foundation.
“People can absolutely run it if they want, but we’re not doing trophies or anything like that,” he said. “It’s really just a big’o free event to raise some awareness.”
The Saturday run will also be the first time since April that residents can view the runway. The airport has undergone a phased rehabilitation in the past few years, with the latest phase of runway rehab starting April 5. Commercial flights have been suspended since then, and are expected to resume around Sept. 10. The dates are subject to change depending on the weather and other airport construction contingencies. The foundation began planning the event with airport staff in March to determine the run date.
Founded in 2023 by active military members, veterans and their allies, Rise Foundation Wyoming’s mission is to support the mental and emotional well-being of veterans, military members and their families. The organization plans to accomplish this goal by raising public awareness and creating community engagement events. Although Rise is concentrated on the capital city, Young said the team will eventually expand to reach military members across the state.
A former Air Force member himself, Young wants to make sure active-duty members and veterans alike are getting the mental health resources they need.
“Military is a very stressful career, and there is a lot of side effects to that,” he said. “On the active duty side, [mental health resources] are getting better slowly. There’s still a lot of gaps, a lot of holes. We thought we could step in and help.”
One way the foundation is doing so is by focusing their efforts on helping veterans. Former members don’t always have access to the same mental health resources as active-duty members, Young said. Rise hopes it can be a financial resource for veterans.
“Eventually, we’re hoping to get to the point where we can provide financial assistance to veterans that may not qualify or whatever the case, maybe,” he said.
Being away from home and exposed to highly stressful situations can negatively impact the wellbeing of active-duty members, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness. They can develop mental health concerns including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and traumatic brain injury, https://mentalhealthinnovation.org.
According to SAMSA, roughly 44–72% of veterans experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life. Data also suggest that approximately half of those who recently separated from military service may not immediately connect with available resources, benefits and services, the SAMSA states.
Young hopes military members will attend the run and learn more about services they are entitled to. Liaisons from local mental health services will be available on site to speak with attendees.
“We want people to know we’re here,” Young said. “We want them to know [Rise Foundation] has the connections and ways to help veterans and active-duty members get the help they need.”
