Tristan Edwards-Wright experienced a devastating loss in his life at just 8 years old.
“I lost my father to brain cancer and it was a very tragic and painful loss to see him suffer at such a young age,” Edwards said. “He meant the world to me.”
Watching him endure the final stages of cancer wasn’t the only tragic aspect of Edwards-Wright’s childhood.
“I was going through sexual abuse all that time and he never knew about it,” she said. “He was so young that he doesn’t even remember when he started, he was a neighbor.”
Edwards-Wright moved to California on a whim in her 20s, but the masking of deep-seated trauma began to manifest as addiction.
“I ended up partying and partying too much and ended up being addicted to drugs for a long time,” she said.
thrown off course
She eventually moved back to Pennsylvania in 2018, and because she felt isolated in her new hometown, she went from drug addiction to alcohol. When she hit COVID, she veered even further off course despite a few sweet spots along her journey that included marrying her husband, Jeffrey Wright, and having a child.
“When COVID hit, it was a huge shock to someone who was already struggling with their mental health,” Edwards-Wright said.
Suicide began to be the only answer that made sense to her.
“It was the end of 2021, Christmas, and I had killed myself,” he said. “I had just decided that I should drive my car off the road drunk.”
She made the attempt and survived, prompting her to make another attempt by overdosing on her medication. She survived the second attempt and ended up in the care of two mental health centers and then rehab.
“I recovered and they showed me the most support,” he said, referring to his close friends and fellow runners who are part of RUNegades, a running club based in Phoenixville, Chester County. The club is a non-profit organization focused on running and mental health, combined with connection and belonging.
Racing has always been a positive outlet for Edwards-Wright.
“For me, it’s the only time and space where I can be calm when I run,” she said. “It is very difficult for the personality-distorted brain to stop overthinking things; I need that release time.”
Co-founded RUNegades
Edwards-Wright co-founded RUnegades in 2018 with longtime friend Michael Ragozzino, after striking up a friendship as neighbors in Phoenixville. The club’s initial focus was to just run around and have a beer afterwards. However, things changed last year when it became apparent that the members were struggling with mental health issues.
“The common thread that we have seen from members in general is that at all times, and coming out of the pandemic, we have seen that mental health issues have been exacerbated,” Ragozzino said. “As a result, we’ve seen issues with substance abuse, anxiety, depression, loneliness and isolation.”
This growing need prompted RUNegades to recently change its focus.
“Last year, the focus of RUNegades shifted to community engagement and the mental health aspect,” Ragozzino said. “It feels more rewarding to be more focused on mental health.”
Tonight, the RUNegades plan to engage with the community to raise awareness of mental health issues through the Creative Health Mile, taking place in Pottstown at 6 pm at Heritage Field Airport. It is a one-mile race that is open to all ages of the public and all levels of experience.
“We are using the Creative Health Mile to launch this mental health initiative,” Ragozzino said, adding that this will be the launch of a seasonal approach to awareness. “Each season we will focus on a different aspect of mental health.”
Associated with Creative Health Services
RUNegades currently has 2,500 members. In addition to hosting two weekly races, the group organizes about 15 races a year. For the Creative Health Mile, RUNegades partnered with Creative Health Services, Pottstown’s community behavioral health center that helps more than 6,000 children, adults and families each year.
Kristen Freitag Murray, director of development and public relations for Creative Health, spoke about the mental health benefits of running.
“We know that people who run experience better emotional well-being, relief from stress, depression, aggression, anger and anxiety, and a boost in self-image and self-confidence, mood and happiness. ”, Freitag Murray said. “The Creative Health/RUNegades partnership is a great union of wellness supports.”
Ragozzino wants everyone, no matter what they’re going through, to feel accepted and welcome to join his club.
“We want everyone to feel like they matter and we want to hear their story and spend time with them no matter who they are,” she said. “We want people to feel like they have a place.”
Edwards-Wright said she feels like the members of RUNegades make her feel like she belongs. Plus, she knows that she’s not the only one in the group struggling with mental health issues.
“I have several members in the group who have been through similar circumstances,” he said. “There’s a tightness in our group that you can’t really describe, you’re not just entering a group of shallow runners, you’re entering a support system.”
Since Edwards-Wright got out of rehab in February of this year, things are looking brighter as she celebrates six months of sobriety.
“I finally have my true diagnosis after so many misdiagnoses — borderline personality disorder and complex PTSD — and my husband and I are doing the best we’ve ever done,” she said.
About the Creative Health Mile
Elites, age groups and children… and now parents with strollers! No matter your age or experience level, this career is for you! Run a mile down the track at Heritage Field Airport! Afterward, we’ll have music, food, and an extra special free play area. Compete against your friends in the Connect 4 Relay Race, Can Jam, Rim Shot, Kubb, Slam Ball, Stealth Ab Gaming Machines, Cross Net and MORE!
When: Tonight, Friday June 10 (register online in advance at the race until 4pm). Bib pick-up and registration day will take place at the Airport Picnic Grove from 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm
Location: 50 Airport Road, Pottstown, PA 19464 (Do not enter the main airport entrance. Directions will take you around the back of the airport to Picnic Grove.)
Hours: Kids and Strollers 6:40 pm, Elites 7 pm, Age Group Men 7:15 pm, Age Group Women 7:30 pm
Course: One Mile Down the Airport Runway! No one is allowed on the track until 6:30 p.m. or after 7:45 p.m.
Cost: $20 registration online or by mail until 6/17/21. $25 race day registration for adults.
ALL CHILDREN (under 11) $12 online or $15 on race day.
Source and for more information on the race: www.runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pottstown/TheSauconyMile
For more information
The Rnegades
creative health services
