Join Us On 6/20/26!

Join us on June 20, 2026 for Sam’s Memorial 5K and Colorful Fun Run/Walk, a special event that brings our community together in support of mental health awareness. The day will include a timed 5K race for runners and a Colorful Fun Run/Walk on the same course for those looking for a more relaxed, family-friendly experience. The Colorful Fun Run/Walk is not timed, and participants are encouraged to wear white as they make their way through stations where they will be showered with vibrant, eco-friendly powder.

In addition to the races, the event will feature a water station, after-race snacks, rock painting, and temporary tattoos, creating a fun and meaningful experience for all ages. Come run, walk, celebrate, and honor Sam’s memory while supporting an important cause.

Distance: 5K Timed Run / 5K Colorful Walk

Date: June 20, 2026

Start Times:

Runners: 9:30 AM

Walkers (Colorful Run): 9:45 AM

Location:

Bellingham High School (parking available on site)

60 Blackstone Street Bellingham, MA

5K Race Awards:

Awards will be presented to the Top 3 Overall Male, Female, and Non-Binary finishers.

Age Group Awards:

Prizes will be awarded to the 1st place finisher in each age group:

18 and under

19–34

35–49

50–64

65+

Sign Up Link

5K Timed Run

Early registration is $35 through May 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Registration increases to $38 after May 20, and race day registration is $40. The race will be professionally timed by Second Wind Timing.

5K Colorful Walk

Early registration is $28 through May 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Registration increases to $30 after May 20, and race day registration is $32. Participants who register by May 20 will receive sunglasses, color packets, and a bandana.

Merchandise

Order by May 20 for race day pickup. Orders placed after May 20 will be shipped directly to you. Proceeds go to the Sam G. Hughes Memorial Scholarship at Worcester State University.

https://colorrun.shopbrilliantz.com/

Important Information

No refunds. Event will be held rain or shine.

All proceeds go to the Sam G. Hughes Memorial Scholarship at Worcester State University

The course winds through and around the Bellingham High School campus at 60 Blackstone Street, using nearby fields and trails. Participants can expect a varied route featuring school grounds and athletic fields, grass loops, light wooded and trail sections, and some pavement connectors.

Map(s): Course Map

On March 27, 2024, at age 19, Sam died by suicide after a long and courageous battle with mental illness. Sam was a remarkable person, full of warmth and humor, and blessed with an unpredictable spirit that made him unforgettable. He was confident, effortlessly funny, and deeply kind. Whether on the basketball court or baseball field, Sam was a true team player. He loved bright colors, never wore jeans, and had a notorious sweet tooth. Sam carried his struggles quietly, never wanting to burden others with the depth of his pain. Sam's siblings—Jack Hughes, Jack Buckley, Molly Hughes, Juliana Buckley, and Ben Hughes—are dedicated to keeping his memory alive.

In honor of Sam’s memory and the joyful, compassionate person he was, his family has established The Sam G. Hughes Memorial Scholarship at Worcester State University. The first scholarship was awarded in 2025.

Race contact info: Nicole Buckley

samghughesmemorialscholarship@gmail.com