5th Annual Mentoring Matters 5K

About the Event

The Mentoring Matters 5K run/walk hosted by the Follow My Steps nonprofit organization aims to raise awareness for the need for mentorship in under-resourced communities. Follow My Steps is a Springfield Massachusetts-based non-profit organization offering Youth Mentoring, Career & Skill Development, and Financial Resources.

YOUTH DISCOUNT APPLIED AT CHECKOUT!!!

This year, we are excited to announce the 5th annual Mentoring Matters 5K will be held at Forest Park.

Note: Registration takes place at the Monkey House.

Park in Cyr Arena Parking lot.

Runners and walkers can register as teams or individuals – and have the option to fundraise as a team.
Tee Shirt included in registration (limited availability)

ABOUT FOLLOW MY STEPS

DID YOU KNOW?

Young Adults Who Were At-Risk for Falling Off Track but Had a Mentor Are:

55% more likely to enroll in college
130% more likely to hold leadership positions.
78% more likely to volunteer regularly
90% are interested in becoming a mentor

Our organization is headed by strong professional who are dedicated to elevating under-resourced students and their families. We understand that there is a disproportionate representation of minorities in key decision-making positions in all facets of leadership in the current time. We aim to close that gap by providing deserving students with the opportunity for financial, mental, and professional education. By offering mentorships to scholarship recipients, we aim to grow a network of like-minded individuals who will continuously give back to their communities and others alike.

VIRTUAL 5K OPTION: #MentoringMatters5K

#MentoringMatters5K is a virtual, non-competitive race by Follow My Steps that allows participants to choose their preferred distance and activity, such as running, walking, or dancing. It can be completed at any time from now until August 8th, and participants are encouraged to share post-challenge photos with the hashtag #MentoringMatters5K. The $40 registration fee serves as a donation to support resources for youth empowerment, including providing school supplies, financial aid for college-bound students, and hosting skill development workshops. Participants are encouraged to track their activity time and distance using a smartphone or smartwatch

Races Offered

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 3.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:00

sell

$40.00

5th Annual Mentoring Matters Virtual 5k

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 3.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:00

sell

$40.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for August in Springfield.

thermostat Temperature

16.4° / 26.5°

wb_sunny Feels like

16.8° / 26.7°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

10h 39m

water_drop Avg rainfall

3.4 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

8.0 km/h (Light breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

High

terrain Course conditions

Hard and dry surface

sunny Max UV Index

High (7.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

75.3%

wb_twilight Sunrise

05:59

nightlight Sunset

19:48

About Springfield

Learn more about the host city, Springfield.

Springfield is the largest city on the Connecticut River, in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, USA. It sits 24 miles north of Hartford, Connecticut, and 5 miles north of the Connecticut state line. Springfield and Hartford are the principal cities in the Knowledge Corridor - the second largest urban region in New England with 1.9 million people, 29 universities and colleges, and 120,000 university students.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Race Results

Official finishing times from previous editions of 5th Annual Mentoring Matters 5K.

Place	Name	Gender	Age	City	Time
🥇	Christopher Seabrooks	M	39	Springfield, MA	20:01.7
🥈	Matthew Nguyen	M	18	Springfield, MA	20:09.2
🥉	Benjamin Manning	M	32	Palmer, MA	20:10.2
4	C.j. Bartone	M	45	Feeding Hills, MA	20:34.6
5	Jeyzion Walter	M	14	Wilbraham, MA	20:38.2
6	Teresa Czepiel	F	50	South Hadley, MA	21:26.9
7	Anthony Payne	M	29	Albany, NY	21:28.1
8	Parker Thomen	M	17	Windsor, CT	21:30.6
9	Dan McNair	M	49	Longmeadow, MA	21:31.2
10	Tajour Cohen-Henry	M	27	Springfield, MA	21:39
11	Kevin Pfau	M	64	Feeding Hills, MA	22:05.7
12	Ryan Fanion	M	34	Westfield, MA	22:55.6
13	Ryan Devine	M	42	South Hadley, MA	22:56.3
14	Kathryn Scott	F	28	Springfield, MA	22:56.8
15	Trevor Brightman	M	40	Deerfield, MA	23:05.2
16	Barbara Smith	F	32	Springfield, MA	23:52.2
17	Trust Okorie	M	24	Indian Orchard, MA	24:08
18	Jennifer Richardson	F	43	Albany, NY	24:11.9
19	Yusef Hayes	M	49	Lynn, MA	24:15.4
20	Julies Monge	M	13	SpringfieldSpringfield, MA	24:17.6
21	Julius Santos	M	27	Chicopee, MA	24:20.3
22	Maren Farrell	F	36	Ludlow, MA	24:44.3
23	Katrina Banks	F	38	Springfield, MA	25:44.7
24	Anthony Rigali	M	44	Holyoke, MA	25:59.1
25	Jon Farrell	M	37	Ludlow, MA	26:16.6
26	Kashawn Sanders	M	28	Springfield, MA	26:41.3
27	Hector Fajardo	M	26	Stoughton, MA	26:49
28	Logan Matos	M	13	Ludlow, MA	27:27.3
29	Jessica Keegan	F	42	Granby, MA	27:33.5
30	Jayden Garcia	M	16	Wilbraham, MA	27:44.7
31	Noah Galas	M	17	Springfield, MA	27:45.4
32	Eddie Matos	M	43	Ludlow, MA	28:11.2
33	Michael Stanley	M	31	Westfield, MA	28:12.2
34	Edgardo Salgado	M	20	Chicopee, MA	28:31.8
35	Joshua Smith	M	34	Springfield, MA	28:37.3
36	Lidya Rivera-Early	F	47	Springfield, MA	29:07.2
37	H. DOUGLAS	M	12	Springfield, MA	29:10.2
38	J. Hayden	F	4	Monson, MA	29:14.7
39	C. McCollum	M	12	Springfield, MA	29:18.2
40	Frances Hayden	F	28	Monson, MA	29:22.7
41	Malakai Stack	M	16	Chicopee, MA	29:28.2
42	Sharlene Rogers	F	40	Wilbraham, MA	29:37.7
43	Brittany Stevenson	F	39	Ludlow, MA	29:38.8
44	J. Monge	M	12	Springfield, MA	29:39.8
45	Melissa Sippel	F	32	Holyoke, MA	30:10.9
46	Grace McConnell	F	22	Wilbraham, MA	30:17.9
47	Nicole Gee	F	42	Wilbraham, MA	30:18.8
48	P. Redd	M	10	Indian Orchard, MA	30:41.1
49	Lena Phommatham	F	40	Indian Orchard, MA	30:41.5
50	Eli Greene	M	13	Springfield, MA	30:45.6