For Lauren Williams '19 MPH, running has never just been about miles. It has been a steady rhythm through graduate school, trail adventures in the Sierra and now her work at the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT).

As an alumna of the School of Public Health’s Master of Public Health program, Williams blends a dedication to public health with passion for running that emerged during graduate school. That intersection is on full display each September during Recovery Month, when she supports the planning of the Nevada Recovery and Prevention (NRAP) 5K.

“Running mirrors the recovery journey,” Williams said. “It takes persistence, community and the belief that you can go farther than you thought possible.”

Williams works alongside NRAP Project Director Daniel Fred and a dedicated team to bring the 5K to life, creating a supportive space where students, faculty, alumni and partners come together. For her, the event is not just an athletic challenge; it's a personal milestone. It is a public health intervention in motion. It fosters connection, celebrates resilience and reinforces that recovery is possible. It is also a timed 5K run/walk, so participants can set a goal and track it.

“At CASAT, our team is committed to bringing research-informed tools into practice to support prevention, intervention and recovery from substance use disorders, ensuring that practitioners have access to evidence-based resources to support individuals at every stage of recovery,” said Michelle Berry, MBA, executive director of CASAT. “The Nevada Recovery and Prevention program is here to provide an environment for members of our campus who are seeking a supportive and positive peer-based community as they grow and find themselves, whether that is in recovery or seeking out a sober place to belong.”

Her professional work at CASAT deepens this connection. There, Williams helps guide substance use prevention and recovery projects across Nevada, ensuring evidence-based practices reach the people and places that need them most. She draws on her training from the School of Public Health, where she began linking data with lived experience to improve health outcomes.

Colleagues say her personal and professional lives intertwine seamlessly.

“Lauren is the kind of leader who doesn’t just talk about recovery and resilience, she lives it,” said Joshua Garn, associate dean of academic affairs. “Her passion for trail running and her dedication to public health reflect the same values of strength, discipline and community.”

That passion shows up in her racing record. Over the past two years, Williams has completed ultramarathons, marathons and trail races across the West, including a top-five finish at the Point Mariah Trail Marathon in Truckee, California, and strong performances at the Mt. Tam 50K in Stinson Beach, California, the Kat’cina Mosa 100K in Utah and the Broken Arrow Skyrace at Lake Tahoe. She is also passing that dedication on to her son, who has started competing at races as well.

“Recovery Month is a reminder that public health does not happen in isolation. It happens when we bring people together,” said Muge Akpinar-Elci, dean of the School of Public Health. “CASAT and events like the NRAP 5K show how education, research and community engagement can come together to support Nevadans on both their health and recovery journey.”

“Recovery can feel like climbing a mountain,” Williams said. “The NRAP 5K shows that nobody climbs it alone. We all get to the summit together.”

The NRAP 5K brings together first-time participants, seasoned athletes, families and friends in a shared celebration of Recovery Month. Join the fun on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Idlewild Park’s Snowflake Pavilion, 1450 Idlewild Drive in Reno. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by lineup at 8:50 a.m. and the run/walk start at 9 a.m. The morning continues with a recovery celebration from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., featuring community connection and support for recovery. The event is open to students, faculty, alumni, and the public, welcoming both runners and walkers of all experience levels.

Registration is open now through ChronoTrack on the NRAP R5K page. For more information, contact the planning team at r5k@casat.org.