People participating in the 2025 Run to End Homelessness.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
SPRINGFIELD — Winter is the perfect time for the Run to End Homelessness, said Kevin Ramsdell, executive director and CEO of the Springfield Rescue Mission.
“People get to experience what homeless people face every day. They get to feel the cold, feel the damp,” he said.
For most of the past 15 years, the race was held in February but was recently moved to early March. This year, the event takes place on March 14.
While it is named the Run to End Homelessness, Ramsdell joked it is a “run, walk or crawl” along a 5-kilometer course through Forest Park. People can sign up to participate in the 5K or in the 10K, which loops the course twice. Ramsdell said many people do both.
As the Springfield Rescue Mission’s largest winter fundraiser, the organization raises money through the $40 registration fee. In 2025, the race brought in the largest number of participants in its history, with nearly 400 people taking part. Ramsdell said he hoped to surpass that number this year.
Ramsdell said the organization also hosts a complimentary “carb-up” spaghetti dinner at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame the night before the race. In addition to fueling the athletes for the next morning, it offers a chance for participants to pick up their race bibs and find camaraderie with each other. For those who do not attend the dinner, race day check-in is at 9 a.m. The race steps off an hour later.
The Springfield Rescue Mission began more than 130 years ago. The organization feeds about 300 people each day. Another 300 people are served weekly through the mobile meal program for people who cannot visit the Mill Street site.
The organization operates a short-stay program, in which people stay for two or three months. Ramsdell said many of the people who use this option are working but need somewhere to stay while they save up first and last month’s rent. Others may have just lost their job and are figuring out their next steps.
The long-term program sees people stay for about a year to “help then get back on their feet.” Springfield Rescue Mission assesses the education and finances of the people in this program. From there, the organization helps coordinate vocational training, continuing education, and technology and financial literacy classes. There are also in-house health care services. Ramsdell said everyone’s situation and needs are unique.
People can learn more about the Springfield Rescue Mission at springfieldrescuemission.org. To register for the Run to End Homelessness, visit runsignup.com/Race/MA/Springfield/EndHomelessness.
