New York Road Runners Mindful 5K focuses on mental health awareness

FLUSHING MEADOWS CORONA PARK, Queens (WABC) -- Over 6,000 adult athletes and hundreds of youth runners are moving to shine a light on mental health awareness at the New York Road Runners (NYRR) Mindful 5K, which kicked off Saturday morning.

The third annual event focuses on the connection between physical movement and mental wellbeing, and features therapy dogs from New York Therapy Animals and the "Zen Zone," a meditation and mindfulness space with self-guided audio recordings and live sessions.

The Mindful 5K is one of several Mental Health Awareness Month initiatives New York Road Runners will offer throughout May to encourage New Yorkers to move their bodies, with research showing that just 15 minutes of running or walking a day can dramatically reduce the risk of major depression.

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