The 96 runners and walkers at the Tritons Together Stride for Mental Health 5K make their way to the starting line. Photos by Nate March
Eckerd College is dedicated to its students’ mental health, and many Tritons highlighted that commitment by taking part in Saturday morning physical exercise.
The Tritons Together Stride for Mental Health 5K returned after a two-year hiatus, attracting around 100 runners and walkers to circle the campus on the morning of Oct. 3. The event drew students, faculty, and staff, and more than 70 student-athletes staffed the course, cheering and handing out water.
Although the Athletics Department founded the event in 2023, a second edition in 2024 was canceled by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The event stayed on hiatus in 2025, but returned successfully this fall. Amanda Green ’16, assistant athletic director for internal operations and senior woman administrator, highlighted the desire to share the event with the entire campus community.
“Something we hear a lot from student-athletes is they are always interested in more mental health education and resources, so we want to do everything we can to support them, and the Tritons Together run today was something we could do that’s beneficial not just for student-athletes but for everyone on campus,” said Green.
Eckerd first-year student Nic Crowley shows off the names other runners have written on his back to signify who they are running for.
While the run was timed, it was not a race, but rather an opportunity to focus on the important role of mental health, both in college and throughout life. Prizes were awarded by random drawings, not by finish order.
The 5K started and ended between North Field and the Go Pavilion.
“The real point of doing it was to get people to think about those they love while they run and bringing awareness about mental health,” said Nic Dowling, a first-year student.
Nic, a native of Greenport, New York, and a member of the sailing team, committed to the event’s purpose by running shirtless and encouraging other participants to write encouraging messages and the names of friends and loved ones whose mental health battles inspire them on his body in marker. He also noted his appreciation for barefoot culture at Eckerd, running the 5K without shoes.
Executive Director of Counseling, Health and Advocacy Services Mindy Anthony Spolski, who joined the College this summer, worked with Green and Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Sarah Duren to organize the event. In addition to noting the many resources available to the Eckerd College community in mental health, she also explained why these resources matter so much on a college campus.
“Between the ages of 18 and 25 is when most people have their first depressive episode, their first anxiety episode, or people disclose some kind of past trauma or abuse,” Spolski said. “Most traditional college students are between the ages of 18 and 25, so it makes sense on a college campus that you would see more mental health, and contributing to that is being away from family and friends, making adjustments, and academic pressures.”
Spolski also noted that the number of students who travel far from home to attend Eckerd makes robust mental health support from the College especially important. The student body comes from 48 states, more than 30 countries, and additional U.S. territories, and approximately 80% come from outside Florida.
Amanda Green ’16 (left) and Mindy Spolski award prizes that were donated for the event to several lucky participants.
Even students who didn’t run learned more about mental health support available on campus. Dozens of additional students who came to support runners or explore available mental health resources visited 11 information booths set up by College departments, student groups and non-profit organizations.
Spolski was pleased with the turnout and sees potential for it to grow in the future.
“We talked about opening it up to the wider community of St. Pete, but decided for this first time back, let’s focus on our students and our campus community, and we had such a great turnout,” Spolski said.
Services for student mental health and wellness available through the College’s Counseling Services includes free individual and group counseling, workshops, consultations and referrals to local mental health practitioners, and crisis intervention. Additional resources include Student Outreach and Support, peer mentors and resident assistants, CARE referrals and an after-hours crisis line.
