By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
Runners, walkers and their families gathered under sunny skies in Foxboro for the 13th annual Bailey’s Run for Autism, continuing a grassroots tradition that raises funds and awareness.
About 140 runners and 70 walkers took part in the event — the largest number of pre-registered participants the event has seen — along with children ages 10 and younger who kicked off the morning with a kids dash.
“It was a beautiful day. Everything ran so smoothly, and everyone really wanted to be there and was so happy to be a part of it,” said Sammi Robertson of North Attleborough, founder of Bailey’s Team for Autism and organizer of the annual run, on Sunday, April 12.
After the kids dash, participants gathered at the starting line for a performance from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism’s Spectrum of Sound choir, a musical group that includes performers on the autism spectrum. Runners and walkers listened to renditions of “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Stand By Me” before setting off on the USA Track & Field-certified course at the Payson Street Recreational Complex in Foxboro.
For Robertson, the day reflects more than just a race — it represents a growing network of families, volunteers and supporters connected through a shared mission.
“I blinked and it was over,” she said. “It’s a very warm community where people feel safe and supported.”
Bailey’s Team for Autism, a volunteer-run nonprofit founded in 2001, raises funds and awareness to support individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Through a grant process, the organization directs the majority of its funding to programs across New England, including first responder training, educational initiatives, recreational opportunities and family support services.
In February, the organization awarded more than $100,000 in grants — its largest funding cycle to date. Overall, Bailey’s Team has raised more than $1.6 million since its founding.
“We’re able to tell you exactly where the money goes,” Robertson said.
The run typically raises between $12,000 and $13,000 each year, Robertson said, serving as one of several fundraising events that support the organization’s work. Its largest annual fundraiser, a golf tournament now in its 22nd year, is scheduled for June and is already about two-thirds sold out.
Robertson explained that after initially prioritizing research following her son Bailey’s diagnosis more than two decades ago, the organization shifted toward funding programs that provide day-to-day support for individuals and families.
“When you have a child with a disability, you learn quickly how important it is to support families day-to-day,” she said.
Bailey, now 26, remains the inspiration behind the organization’s work.
“He’s the reason for everything we’ve done,” Sammi Robertson said.
The race, which was initially held in Dedham, moved to Foxboro after its first two years to better connect with the community and provide a certified course that could attract more serious runners while maintaining its homegrown feel. Sammi Robertson said the event has remained rooted in community support.
“It’s just such an inclusive community,” she said. “People who have a loved one with autism don’t always feel comfortable everywhere, and here they do.”
For Sammi Robertson, that sense of belonging is at the heart of the event — and the reason it continues to grow year after year.
“We’ve built an incredible network of support because of Bailey,” she said. “We’re so lucky to have so many people supporting this cause.”