Thank you to Midwest Media by Melanie for bringing our attention to this statewide event.
Suicide / Mental Health Awareness
The Tyler Vanderheiden Memorial Run/Walk is a way to start the conversation about mental health and suicide, which impacts every age, race, and gender in Nebraska.
The event supports the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for trail creation and maintenance.
Register now to join the cause.
From an early age, Tyler loved people. Before leaving a restaurant, Tyler would have at least two new friends, found amongst the strangers also there dining.
Even as a very young child, Tyler had a special bond with the elderly, listening and learning from their stories. He loved people in the best way by seeing them and accepting them just as they are perfectly imperfect. Seen, loved, and valued. This was Tyler’s way with people. Tyler loved the older generation, but he also loved babies, and they loved him. The connection between Tyler and a little one was playful and filled with joy. Tyler’s love for people was ever present, holding space for pure love, acceptance, and grace.
Tyler attended North Platte High School, where he participated in band, choir, football, and track. Tyler didn’t join the track team until his final year of high school, but it was on the track team that he found his love of running. Tyler wasn’t concerned about how fast he could run. Rather, he embraced how running made him feel, and to him, that was what mattered most
What Tyler didn’t let many see was his struggle with his mental health. He often masked his sadness, fears, anxiety, and hopelessness behind his beautiful smile, a joke, or by finding another person to rescue from the things that haunted him.
Sometimes, Tyler’s pain was expressed with anger, a way to armor himself, and to shield others from his suffering. Those who knew Tyler knew that family and friends were very important to him. He loved being there for a stranger, a friend, or a family member. Tyler had a grace about him that allowed him to make those around him feel valued, accepted, and loved. His smile and laughter lit up the room. His light-hearted nature was a magnet to those around him, and he never missed an opportunity to make someone laugh. Ty liked to live life large and was always up for an adventure. He loved to hunt, fish, and most of all, spend time with family. He often shared that he felt closer to God when he was in the great outdoors. When he returned from one of his adventures, he would have on a big smile and a story ready to tell; usually starting with “You’ll never guess what happened.”
Tyler is deeply missed by all who knew him and loved him, but this endeavor to make trails, open space and nature more available and accessible to all Nebraskans and all who visit our great state will be Tyler’s legacy. It is a legacy of doing for others, loving others, and finding serenity in the fresh air and sunshine.
In honor of their son, brother, and friend, the Tyler Vanderheiden family, together with the Platte River Fitness Series and the Nebraska Game and Parks, presents the Annual Tyler Vanderheiden Memorial 2 Mile & 5 Mile Road Run.
All proceeds from the race will continue to go to the Nebraska Game and Parks for creation, maintenance, or upgrade of trails and open space within the Nebraska State Park system. Tyler felt most at home in nature, and these funds will allow all Nebraskans to benefit from his passion and love of the outdoors.
To learn more about how Nebraska parks will benefit from this partnership, please visit: https://outdoornebraska.gov/memorialrun/
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