HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Holyoke police officers were in pursuit Sunday morning: Not of a criminal, but of donations.
Can you Outrun the Law? Once a year, a race by that name allows runners to try doing just that…for a good cause. About 100 runners joined more than a dozen police officers for the 5th Annual Holyoke Police Foot Pursuit 5K at Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke.
“”We’re just trying to help out some kids and families….We get a little shot in there, make a little humor out of it. Holyoke is known for a few foot pursuits here and there so we thought we’d make a nice family day, get some exercise going,” Holyoke Police Captain Matthew Moriarty told 8News sister station 22News. He is one of the organizers of the Holyoke Police Officers Ball Committee that hosts the run.
Before that, there was a moment of silence for the law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Many officers also wore shirts remembering fallen coworkers or others who died on the job.
Then, the runners were off, knowing that the 30 dollar donation to enter the race would benefit children with autism in Holyoke.
“I do like running sometimes, but it’s for a good cause, too, so why not,” Lindsey Kaubris of Westfield said.
Each year, the run benefits an organization in Holyoke. This year, the goal was to raise $1,000 for Autism Rise, which is a program in the Holyoke Schools helping autistic students.
Dawn Cadigan’s 11-year-old son has autism. “A lot of frustration because he has trouble communicating with people,” Cadigan told 22News of the struggles her son, and family, face.
According to the Centers for Disease Control 1 in 68 babies are born with autism. While Cadigan said autism affects each child differently, she has found a strong support group among parents and doctors in Holyoke.
“It’s amazing how many people out there you find. It’s such a, it’s a huge circle. I know a lot of people now and it’s a great community. It really is,” Cadigan added.
She said many of those supporters were running alongside officers Sunday. As an added incentive, anyone running faster than a Holyoke police officer was awarded a medal.
