Forever In Blue Jeans
May 11th Running Event To Raise Awareness For Mental Health, Suicide
The Behavioral Health Hour will donate $10 for every person who completes the Blue Jean Mile May 11th in West Hartford Connecticut, an event to raise awareness for mental health and the power of moving, and to honor a local man who died of suicide in 2022.
Before the pandemic, Connecticut’s Jason Hannigan worked regularly as a personal trainer to help people maintain physical fitness, but apparently once made the mistake of trying to serve as a trainer for his wife. The results were “predictable and comedic,” his wife Mary says. But the pandemic created a void in Jason’s professional life and that void was filled by his mental health disease and in 2022 the 49-year-old father of two died from suicide.
To honor Hannigan, a mile race for all ages will be held for the 2nd year at the track where he ran in high school.
All participants will run in blue jeans - yes, Blue jeans - May 11th at 6 p.m. as part of a tradition started in 2017 by Citius Magazine. Neil Diamond would be proud - in fact Diamond once said that his famous song Forever In Blue Jeans was really meant to capture that the simple things in life matter most.
2-4-1, an organization developed to help kids with social emotional learning and development through sports, will run the event in partnership with Fleet Feet and other sponsors to honor Hannigan. 2-4-1 formed in 2008 amidst the rise of elite, premier, AAU and other sports leagues that “too often send the wrong message to kids who are at critical stages in their physical and emotional development,” said Steve Boyle, who co-founded 2-4-1 with his wife Kerry. Boyle hopes the event honors Hannigan and recognizes the importance of movement as an important part of mental health.
Supporting Cause
The Behavioral Health Hour will donate $10 for every person who completes the Blue Jean Mile and offer a prize of two free 2-4-1 camps for the two best essays written by participants on “If I were in charge of sports, I would…” All ages can enter submissions by clicking here - due by May 31. Winners will have their “essay” published. If a kid wins from an area where 2-4-1 holds a camp, we we will provide 1 free camp week. If an adult wins they can sponsor 1 camper. Winners announced by June 1.
Jason’s Story
Hannigan, a long-time friend of 2-4-1 programs, was himself known for giving back. He would bring vegetarian chili to a friend's pregnant wife, befriend folks struggling with sobriety, and deliver gym equipment to a family with a disabled child searching for ways to engage her during the pandemic, according to his family. “It's hard to count the number of young guys, and not so young guys that he helped to find a program of recovery, because Jason was someone so many people in need loved and trusted.”
Incidentally the world record for the Blue Jean Mile was set in 2020 by Johnny Gregorek. His 4:06 time is fast - I can’t even put on my only pair of jeans in 4 minutes. Gregorek is also an inspiration. His goal for the event was to raise awareness and funds for mental illness after his brother died by suicide.
See here for more information on the May 11th Blue Jean Mile.