There are moments in life when everything narrows down to a single decision. For men who come to The Wheelhouse, recovery begins quietly, not with a clear plan, but with an honest admission: I can’t do this anymore. I need help.

The Wheelhouse Reclaim Run 5K was created with that moment in mind.

This inaugural annual event isn’t really about running or walking. It’s about what it means to reclaim a life that addiction tried to take and about a community choosing to stand with people who are doing the hard, daily work of recovery.

Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when people show up.

What “Reclaim” Really Means

Recovery is not simply about stopping a substance. It’s about rebuilding what was lost, one decision at a time.

The word reclaim speaks to that process. It acknowledges that something valuable was taken and that it is still worth fighting to get back.

That’s the heart behind this run.

We Sat Down with the Co-Chairs of the Reclaim Run Committee

To understand the heart behind this inaugural event, we sat down with Ashley Mesa and Richard Sweitzer, co-chairs of the Reclaim Run 5K committee.

Q: What role does the community play in recovery, and how does that connect to this run?

Ashley:
“Addiction is very common and most people know someone who’s been affected by it. I think people understand what addiction does.”

Richard:
“Recovery doesn’t happen alone. Community is everything. This run is one way for the community to show up and help the people at The Wheelhouse.”

Q: The Wheelhouse is sometimes called ‘the last house on the block.’ What does that phrase mean to you?

Ashley:
“The first thing that comes to mind is rock bottom. That’s heavy. If this is someone’s last stop, then it needs to be there.”

Q: How does it feel knowing the Wheelhouse has to turn away men who ask for help because resources are limited?

Ashley:
“It’s heartbreaking. It’s really sad. But the truth is, money is a big part of being able to help people. We need donations to keep doing the work.”

Q: What motivated the idea of a 5K fundraiser for The Wheelhouse?

Richard:
“ For me, as an intuitive thought. Running had become something that helped me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I was running a lot, getting out of my head, dealing with depression, and it was changing me.”

“I started running with others, and we were just having fun. Community was forming. And I remember thinking, ‘What if we did a 5K for The Wheelhouse?’”

“That idea kept coming back. And then Ashley and I realized we were both thinking the same thing. It felt like alignment. Like something bigger was nudging us forward.”

Q: What do you hope happens because of the Reclaim Run — both financially and as a community event?

Ashley:
“This is the first year, so we know there will be challenges, but I hope it grows into something big. Something that’s beneficial and something people look forward to.”

Richard:
“I hope it becomes more than just a run, that it brings people together around recovery and keeps the doors open for the men and their families who need it most.”

Q: What would you say to someone who’s struggling right now and doesn’t know if recovery is possible?

Ashley:
“There’s always hope. Always. There will always be someone who wants to support you and help you.”

Richard:
“You’re not too far gone. If you’re still breathing, there’s still time. Recovery is possible and you don’t have to do it alone.”

A Different Kind of Finish Line

The Reclaim Run 5K will begin on a Saturday morning of February 21, 2026. People will run. People will walk. Some will cheer from the sidelines.

And so recovery continues one step, one mile, one person at a time.

Register and Sponsor now at TheWheelhouse.org/reclaim-run-5k