Local canine celebrity Jack Rome, official greeter of Gary Rome Auto Group, who peacefully passed away on Oct. 10, 2022, will now be memorialized with an annual 5K run/walk to benefit the Foundation for Thomas J. O’Connor (TJO) Animals.

Sponsored by Gary Rome Hyundai and Western Mass News, the first annual Jack Rome Memorial 5K will take place on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. at Forest Park in Springfield, and will be a family- and dog-friendly event. Click here to register.

5K Walk/Run
Registration begins at 8:30am
Event kick off at 10:00am
Early bird registration May 15th – July 31 $30, includes event t-shirt
Registration August 1st – September 17th $35, includes event t-shirt
Registration September 18th until day of event – $35, t-shirts available to purchase while supplies last

Children under 12 are free

Refreshments will be served after the race.

Awards for top dog, top male and top female

All funds raised will be donated directly to the Foundation for TJO Animals and will be used specifically for medical and veterinary care, emergency surgery, and rehabilitation services to help the animals find new, loving homes.

The Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center provides comprehensive animal-control services and programs to the Western Mass. community for the protection of animals, public health, safety, and the environment. TJO responsibly places unclaimed and relinquished animals into care and new adoptive homes. Its animal-control officers respond to routine service calls daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Emergency response for ill, injured, or aggressive animals is available 24 hours a day. The TJO Adoption Center, located at 627 Cottage St. in Springfield, provides a second chance for adoptable dogs, cats, and occasionally other animals.

To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or obtain more information, contact Dara Davignon, executive assistant to Gary Rome, at [email protected] or (413) 420-8049.