Every community has people who turn pain into purpose. For TriCircle, two of those people are Vanessa Smith and Lissa Rivera, co-founders of the Outrun Addiction 5K Run/Walk — and one of our longest-standing partners.
A Friendship Forged in Purpose
The connection between Outrun Addiction and TriCircle goes back to 2018, at the very first Outrun Addiction 5K. What began as a simple partnership grew into something much deeper once Vanessa and Lissa got to know TriCircle’s mission — and met Ana, whose passion for the work was impossible to miss. TriCircle has been a beneficiary of the race ever since.
Over the years, Vanessa and Lissa have come to know TriCircle’s impact up close. They’ve met families and individuals in the community who found real support through TriCircle’s programs, especially the Hope After Loss Groups — support that carried people through some of the hardest moments of their lives.
More Than a Race
The Outrun Addiction 5K is Vanessa and Lissa’s largest effort, but as they’ll tell you, it was never really about the run itself. The event brings together people in recovery, families affected by addiction, those who’ve lost loved ones, treatment organizations, and neighbors who simply want to help.
“Our goal is much bigger than putting on a 5K,” they explain. “We’ve created a place where people can share their stories, honor loved ones, learn about available resources, and see that there is a community standing behind them.” Proceeds from the race help fund organizations like TriCircle, and the organization also awards annual scholarships to Enfield High School students whose lives have been touched by addiction.
A Journey Without a Finish Line
Addiction has shaped Vanessa and Lissa’s lives in ways that are still unfolding. Rather than one tidy story, their journey — like so many represented at Outrun Addiction — is made up of many: loved ones currently struggling, others in recovery, and some who didn’t survive. “This journey is not something that has had a beginning and an end,” they shared. “It is still ongoing.”
That lived experience shapes how they see the biggest barrier to healing — not distance or cost, but fear. “Fear, shame, stigma, and simply not knowing where to turn can prevent someone from reaching out,” they said. It’s part of why events like Outrun Addiction, and organizations like TriCircle, matter so much: they send the message that asking for help should be met with support, not judgment.
Where They Find Hope
Ask Vanessa and Lissa what keeps them going, and they’ll point to the recovery community itself — the sheer number of people willing to show up for someone else. Every year, they watch people take their most painful experiences and turn them into something that helps another person: sharing a recovery story, honoring someone lost, volunteering, sponsoring, or simply showing up.
They’re also quick to point out that recovery isn’t a solo act. While the decision to recover is personal, having people who believe in you and keep showing up “can make a tremendous difference.” That’s exactly why they value TriCircle’s approach of supporting not just individuals in recovery, but the families and friends walking alongside them.
Join the Movement
This year marks the 9th Annual Outrun Addiction 5K Run/Walk, taking place September 19th, with a goal of 1,000 participants. Come solo, bring your people, or form a team — and if you can’t make it in person, a virtual option lets you join from anywhere. Register by September 6th for a free race T-shirt.
Learn more and register at outrunaddiction.org.
TriCircle is deeply grateful for Vanessa, Lissa, and the entire Outrun Addiction community — for the funds they raise, the scholarships they provide, and, most of all, for the reminder that no one has to face addiction alone.
Together WE are Stronger!