Mentoring Matters 5K
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Mentoring Matters 5K
The Mentoring Matters 5K is a community run/walk hosted by the Follow My Steps nonprofit in Forest Park, Springfield, Massachusetts. The event includes an in-person 5K course at Forest Park and a virtual 5K option that can be completed up to August 8, 2026. The distance for both options is 3.1 Miles.
In-person registration takes place at the Monkey House in Forest Park and parking is available in the Cyr Arena parking lot. Runners and walkers may register as individuals or as teams, and teams may choose to fundraise. A tee shirt is included with registration while supplies last. A youth discount is applied at checkout.
Registration details and fees are provided for each option: in-person registration opens January 1, 2026 and closes April 15, 2026 with a fee of $25. The virtual 5K registration opens January 1, 2026 and remains open through August 8, 2026 with a fee of $40. The virtual option encourages participants to track activity time and distance using a smartphone or smartwatch and to share photos with the hashtag #MentoringMatters5K.
Follow My Steps offers Youth Mentoring, Career and Skill Development, and Financial Resources. The event aims to raise awareness for the need for mentorship in under-resourced communities. Young adults who were at-risk but had a mentor are noted as 55% more likely to enroll in college, 130% more likely to hold leadership positions, 78% more likely to volunteer regularly, and 90% more likely to be interested in becoming a mentor. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
