Badge of Strength Endurance Challenge supporting The Mental Health Association (MHA)
Badge of Strength Endurance Challenge

About Mental Health Association


Who We Are
MHA (Mental Health Association) is a community-based nonprofit serving communities throughout Western Massachusetts, dedicated to helping people achieve and sustain their best lives. We deliver comprehensive, person-centered support—including mental health therapy, substance use recovery, care for individuals with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury, and safe, stable housing and residential programs.

Thank you for your support!

Badge of Strength Endurance Challenge

Challenge Yourself. Strengthen Your Team. Support Mental Health.

The Badge of Strength Endurance Challenge is a one-of-a-kind team endurance event inspired by the teamwork, resilience, and dedication of first responders, law enforcement professionals, correctional officers, active military members, veterans, dispatchers, and emergency personnel - but designed for everyone to participate.

Whether you're a first responder, military member, fitness enthusiast, CrossFit athlete, runner, business, civic organization, family, group of friends, or simply someone looking to take on a new challenge while supporting an important cause, you'll find your place here.

Working together, teams will tackle six unique physical and mental challenges that test strength, endurance, communication, strategy, and grit. Every obstacle is designed to reinforce the importance of teamwork, with teams racing to complete the course within a two-hour time limit.

Form Your Team

Anyone 18 years of age or older can participate.

Build a team with coworkers, friends, family members, gym partners, classmates, neighbors, or members of your police, fire, EMS, military, correctional, or veteran community. Teams may also compete in honor of someone who serves - or has served - in one of these professions.

Choose the challenge level that best matches your team's abilities:

  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced

No matter which level you choose, success isn't determined by individual strength alone-it's earned through teamwork, perseverance, communication, and determination.

Registration

Registration is $165 per participant and includes:

  • Commemorative participant item
  • Race bib and race card
  • Badge of Strength commemorative patch
  • Commemorative challenge coin
  • Parking and transportation to the event course
  • Full event support throughout the day

Participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of $300 to support the Mental Health Association's mental health programs and services. Teams are not required to meet the fundraising minimum to participate, but every dollar raised helps expand access to critical mental health care throughout our community.

Sponsor a Team

Want to support the mission even if you're not competing?

For $1,000, businesses, organizations, police and fire associations, unions, veteran organizations, civic groups, and individuals can sponsor a five-person team by covering their registration costs.

As a Community Champion Team Sponsor, you'll receive recognition on the event website, event signage, and social media while helping make participation possible for teams and supporting vital mental health programs and services provided by the Mental Health Association.

If you're a police, fire, EMS, correctional, military, or veteran organization, sponsoring a team is a meaningful way to invest in the health, wellness, and camaraderie of those who serve your organization and community.

More Than an Endurance Challenge

The Badge of Strength Endurance Challenge is more than a competition. It is an opportunity for our entire community to come together in support of mental health while celebrating the teamwork, resilience, and commitment demonstrated every day by those who serve.

Presented by the Mental Health Association (MHA) in partnership with the Hampden County Sheriff's Office, this event brings together first responders, military members, veterans, businesses, fitness communities, families, and community supporters with one shared purpose - to strengthen mental health and build a stronger community.

Every team has a reason. Every participant makes a difference. Every dollar raised changes lives.

Join us October 11th, at Springfield College's East Campus, and be part of something bigger than the finish line.