Why We Run
Mike’s 5k was founded in 2017 in memory of Milton resident Michael Mulcahy, who died in 2016 after a 10-year fight against addiction. The event raises money to help patients and families engaged in the same fight. We seek to erase stigma, spread awareness, strengthen treatment programs, and demonstrate the power of community and friendship in the battle against substance abuse. Since 2017, our organization has donated more than $490,000 to programs fighting substance abuse and brought together more than 500 people annually for our walk and run.
Michael Mulcahy was born in Dorchester in raised in Milton, on Hazel Street. He liked to take things apart and put them back together, and to run around with nowhere to go. He was always a wonderful son and brother; when he got older, a loving uncle. When you needed Mike, he showed up. And he never just left. He always stuck around for a laugh with the people he loved. Nothing made him happier.
Mike Mulcahy prided himself more than anything else on loyalty to his family and friends. You could have taken his bike from him, as a boy; his mischief, as a teenager; his livelihood, as a man, and none of it would have mattered as the long as he never lost his amazing gift for being there — for showing up and doing the work of friendship. For those of us who loved him, the most painful thing to consider is that from time to time we might have let each other down — Mike, in the utter agony of his disease; the rest of us, in our pain, confusion, and frustration over the hold it had on him. This event’s about a lot of things. It’s about remembering Mike building a snowman during the Blizzard of ’78; fielding a grounder at second; lacing up his boxing gloves; hanging with his buddies. It’s about raising money to support brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and children fighting substance abuse. It’s about seeing old friends. But maybe most of all it’s about showing up for Mike. Saying we love you. Saying we always will. Saying you survived, like we always knew you would — it’s written in our hearts and in the faces of everyone here today.
This year’s Mike’s 5k to Crush Substance Abuse race is dedicated to Jonathan Looney who lost his battle with addiction at age 33.
Jonathan (Jon) Looney lost his battle to addiction in 2020 at the age of 33. In his short life he was a loving father, son, uncle, and brother. Jonathan grew up in Needham and later moved to Cape Cod with his family where he attended high school. He studied plumbing and worked as an apprentice for many years. He was a huge Bruins fan. He had a passion for hockey, learning to skate at the age of five, and grew up on the ice. Jonathan also enjoyed fishing, snowboarding, and loved the Halloween season. He had a huge heart, could make anyone smile, and loved being a dad. We want to share his story in hopes we can bring more awareness about addiction.
Each year, Mike’s 5K is dedicated to the memory of those who have lost their battle against substance abuse.
In 2018, Mike’s 5k was dedicated to Mike Jesson, who passed away in 2017. Mike Jesson was born and raised in Milton. Mike loved sports, especially bare-footing, wake-boarding and surfing with his beloved family and friends in New Hampshire.
In 2019, Mike’s 5k was dedicated to Chris Woodfall, who lost his battle against substance abuse at the young age of 27. Chris was a talented musician, who played the drums and guitar. He was smart, fun and creative - Rest In Peace Chris, not a day goes by we don’t miss you.
Our 2021 race was dedicated to the memory of Julie Scott (1990-2020). Julie was a smart, beautiful, strong, funny girl who stole any room with her vibrant smile and larger than life personality. While she didn’t have her own career, she was so interested in other people that she ended up knowing a little bit about a lot of things. Anyone who met her instantly fell in love with her. Julie was the youngest of the Scott six and the “fun aunt” who wasn’t afraid to get dirty and try new things. She loved Harry Potter, Marvel, fashion, and music…she could find any song to match her mood and feelings. She fought hard for 15 years against the unrelenting disease we all hate so much. She never hid her addiction or who she was, it was a big part of her and she wore her scars openly in hopes to turn others away from it, it is something I always admired about her, the ability to be herself. She never stopped fighting and even in the end she wanted to make sure her story would hopefully help someone else, and keep them as far away from the struggles she faced in her short life that was taken too soon. I admired her strength and beauty, her love and her humor. She will be forever loved and missed… some people shine too bright for this world, and Julie was one of them. - Kait Robichaud (Julie’s sister)
Our 2021 race was also dedicated to the memory of Edward “Ed” Priestley (1995-2021). Ed was born and raised in Milton, Ma. He was a current student at Quincy College. Growing up Ed spent his time with his friends playing sports and video games. In his adult life Ed enjoyed going to the beach, sports, traveling, swimming and listening to music. You could always catch Ed going for a nice drive with his music turned up. Ed was a good man. He was a brave, funny, smart, talented, caring, resilient, easy-going, charming and ambitious young man. He will be missed dearly by his friends and family here - Emily Pugsley (Ed’s sister)