Held Sun, Oct 18, 2026

Rays of Hope Walk and Run

Springfield, MA

Race finished
8K

Next year's date is not listed yet. This page updates when it is.

About the Rays of Hope Walk and Run

The course runs through Forest Park and the neighborhoods around it, so there is real scenery for most of the route. The terrain is not technical, and the park sections feel removed from city traffic. Both a shorter and a longer distance option are on offer, and walkers and runners share the same general route.

The event steps off from Temple Beth El. Runners go first, then walkers follow later in the morning, so the start area stays active for a couple of hours. There is a survivor photo gathering between the two waves, which gives the morning a specific shape beyond just crossing a finish line.

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Rays of Hope Walk and Run 2026 Results

Going by the 2026 results, this is a small, friendly field, and the field is fairly quick, so expect a competitive front.

8K Results · 2026

112finishers
37:45winner
54:06median
1:28:42cutoff

Top 3: Jennifer Alli (37:45) · Kevin Pfefferle (39:06) · David Michaud (39:49)

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 8K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Oct 22, 2026.

Common Questions About the Rays of Hope Walk and Run

Will I finish last at the Rays of Hope Walk and Run?

Almost certainly not. Half the 8K field finished slower than 54:06, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:28:42, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Rays of Hope Walk and Run a good first 8K?

It is a small race (112 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 8K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Rays of Hope Walk and Run?

The 8K winner ran 37:45 while the median finisher took 54:06. That spread points to a relatively quick field, so expect a competitive front end.

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