Springfield Thunderbirds mascot Boomer led the charge for hundreds of particpants at the 2025 Sheriff’s Shuffle.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
HOLYOKE — The starting line at Holyoke’s Ashley Reservoir is officially set for the 2026 Sheriff’s Shuffle 5K Road Race and 1.5-Mile Walk, an annual team up between the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office and the YWCA of Western Massachusetts to fight domestic violence.
The race and walk begin at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 4, with registration open from 9-10 a.m. inside the Elks Lodge, 250 Whitney Ave. Participation costs $35 until Sept. 19 and $40 thereafter through race day.
All proceeds go directly toward the YWCA’s programs, which provide emergency shelter, advocacy, counseling and critical support services to individuals and families in crisis.
The YWCA is headquartered in Springfield with an 11-acre campus at 1 Clough St. to shelter survivors of domestic violence and their children in a facility with state-of-the-art security. The organization has served nearly 12,000 people.
“I am so grateful to partner with my friend, Sheriff Nick Cocchi, again,” YWCA CEO Elizabeth Dineen said in a release. “He and his fabulous team truly care about domestic violence survivors and their children.”
The event began in the 1990s under former Sheriff Michael J. Ashe, Jr. Racers used to traverse w]downtown Springfield, but now thousands of runners and walkers have taken on Ashley Reservoir since the move.
“This event brings our community together for an important cause,” Cocchi said in a release. “Whether you run, walk, volunteer, sponsor or simply help spread the word, your support makes a difference in the lives of people who need help, hope, and a path forward. We encourage everyone to join us as we stand together against domestic violence.”
Hampden County Sheriff’s Office Director of Communications Robert Rizzuto said the event has turned into a massive, multifaceted family event to “raise as much money as we can for a worthy nonprofit.”
“Over the past several years, we have worked with the YWCA of Western Massachusetts to do what we can to raise awareness around their services and help raise money for their awesome programs,” Rizzuto said. “Overall, we’ve helped raise a few hundred thousand dollars for the YWCA. They do wonderful programming for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence surviors.”
Rizzuto said he’s seen a YWCA program with children who have witnessed domestic violence grow because of the event’s efforts. He said it is a therapeutic program that informs children about proper relationship boundaries.
“There’s typically a huge wait list for this, which unfortunately shows the need for these services and the breadth of the problem,” Rizzuto said. The work that the YWCA does, when you really dig in, is phenomenal. Everything from standard providing, support and advice to somebody that needs to be snuck out of their house and rescued and relocated. They’ve done it all, they’re an amazing program that is truly focused on changing and saving lives.”
He said the event isn’t just a run or walk, but involves food trucks, live music and much more after the race at 11 a.m. for people to enjoy.
“It’s a really good time and a beautiful location on a fall day,” Rizzuto said. “It’s just super peaceful up there and it’s a nice place to burn a couple hours with your family doing something positive, and contributing to something that truly helps people.”
Participants can register or make a donation at runsignup.com/SheriffsShuffle5k, or find more information on the YWCA at ywworks.org
