Berkshire Running Foundation Announces 2025 Race Calendar

Community submission11:26AM / Tuesday, March 25, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Berkshire Running Foundation recently announced a year-long schedule of races and community engagement.

The season kicks off with the MCLA Sam Gomez 5K on Sunday, April 6.

“The Berkshire Running Foundation is thrilled to be working with the community partners, MountainOne, Berkshire Health Systems, Spectrum Health and many other local organizations to bring these new and classic events to the Berkshires," Executive Director Shiobbean Lemme said. "The impact the running community makes in the Berkshires continues to grow each year, with our work in since 2011 donating over $330,000 to nonprofits in the Berkshires. We are energized at the community growth and passion for these events.”

All registration information is available on the Race Calendar page of the Berkshire Running Center website Race Calendar.

April

MCLA Sam Gomez 5K, April 6

Puddle Jumper 5K for Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, April 12

May

May Day Races for the CRA, Nessacus Middle School, Dalton, May 4

Mother's Day Race, BCC, May 11, 2025

MountainOne Steel Rail Race Weekend, Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, May 17-18

Memorial Day 5K with the Lee Lions Club, May 26

June

Berkshire Pride 2nd Annual 5K, June 1

Gould Farm 5K, June 1

Branches 5K Walk/Run, June 8

Wild Thing 5K/10K, June 14

July

Independence Day 5K, July 4

High Lawn Farm 5K, July 27

August

Pedal and Plod Biathlon, Aug. 3

Greylock 8 Mile Road Race, Aug. 31

September

Spectrum Health’s FIR 5K, Sept. 21

October

BCC Harvest Run, Oct. 18

Red Lion Inn’s Roaring 5K, Oct. 26

November

Soldier On 5K, Nov. 9

MountainOne Thankful 5K, Nov. 27

December

Jingle Bell Run, Dec. 20

Berkshire Running Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established to promote and support the positive impact the running community makes in the neighborhoods in which we live. For more information contact Lemme at director@berkshrierun.org.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.

View Full Story