Funds from memorial run to benefit state parks

Participants from all 93 Nebraska counties and all 50 states will take part in the 2024 Tyler Vanderheiden Memorial Run on Saturday morning.

Some will gather at Cody Park in North Platte for two and five-mile courses, while others will submit runs virtually from across the country, all in an effort to address mental health and suicide prevention.

“We know that suicide prevention and mental health awareness is not something that we as a family struggle with in isolation, not even at a community level state level,” said Shannon Vanderheiden. “It's something that is a crisis across our nation.“

Shannon’s son, Tyler Vanderheiden, died of suicide in 2015 at age 20.

Proceeds from the race go to trail creation and maintenance at Nebraska state parks.

“[Tyler] loved outside. He loved hunting and fishing,” Shannon said. “And we just felt like the best way to honor him and to keep him alive in our hearts was to partner with Game and Parks.”

This year, funds will go to upgrade the Jim MacAlister Nature Trail at Smith Falls State Park near Valentine.

Previous runs have gone to fund the wooden walkway to Smith Falls and a trail at the Platte River State Park near Louisville, Neb.

This is the first year the run reached its goal of including participants from all 93 Nebraska counties, something Shannon has been trying to accomplish since the inaugural race in 2020.

“I’m a little speechless because I’m just in awe at how many people have stepped up,” she said.

Tyler Vanderheiden’s sister, Sydney Keller, said having participants in each county helps send a message that people struggling with mental health are not alone.

“We’re trying to build a community of people who can stand up and say, ‘I’m here, you can reach out to me, this is a safe space, we want you here,’” she said.

Race registration for 2024 has closed, but donations to the Tyler Vanderheiden Memorial can be made here.