Annual Mother’s Day 5k returns to New Bedford after hiatus

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — It was all about family Sunday morning in New Bedford, as Women’s Fund SouthCoast brought back its annual Mother’s Day 5k.

“It’s just kinda fun to do something as a family, get out there,” Aubrey Silva said. “And it’s exercise, so it’s healthy, it’s good for the kids, so we love that.”

Countless mothers and their kids got out on the road for a family bonding experience.

“I think it’s really fun to just get out and get active,” Amelia Monteiro of New Bedford said. “We love to be outside together, so this is a fun tradition we’re starting up now that we have the whole crew together.”

The race was previously held in Mattapoisett and took a five-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Organizers said New Bedford was the perfect place to pick up for the 14th year.

“When we were thinking about a route, with our office in New Bedford,” Carmen Amaral, board president for Women’s Fund SouthCoast, said. “Running along the beach and the peninsula, it’s beautiful, it’s home, so this is the location we chose.”

The event was not just about celebrating mothers, but also raising money for a good cause.

“It’s definitely true to the mission of the Women’s Fund in supporting women and girls and also mothers,” Christine Monska, executive director of Women’s Fund SouthCoast, said. “In terms of the gender pay gap and also supporting mothers with access to child care, it was our mission and it was a tradition we wanted to honor.”

Officials said around $50,000 dollars was raised, all going directly to supporting the mission of the Women’s Fund.

“We’re so grateful to Cisco Brewers for hosting on the waterfront,” Amaral said. “I’m so glad that, after a five year hiatus, here we are.”