Returning to run the Falmouth Road Race with Team Samaritans for a third time, Tom—Missions Pastor at Cape Cod Church—is lacing up once again with purpose and heart.
We caught up with Tom to hear more about why he keeps coming back, how the experience has deepened his connection to suicide prevention, and what he’s aiming for this year.
Why I Run—Still
“When I first joined Team Samaritans in 2023, I was just a few months out from heart surgery,” Tom shared. “I thought it would be a good way to motivate myself through recovery, and I already knew Samaritans from our church’s partnership with them.”
But what started as a post-surgery challenge quickly became more personal. While building his fundraising page, Tom found himself reflecting more on his own story—and the loss of his father to suicide when Tom was a young boy.
“That personal connection became the real driver for me,” he said. “Now, every year I run, it’s a personal campaign—for my dad, for others like him, and for the families who are left behind.”
Reflections from the Road
In his second year with the team, Tom discovered something unexpected.
“I realized I still had a little competitive fire left,” he laughed. “That first year was all about survival—just proving I could finish 7.1 miles after a heart attack and bypass surgery. But last year? I was irritated that I hadn’t trained more or gotten faster. This year I’m pushing myself.”
Tom has a new goal now: to “run his age” in minutes within the next couple of years. “I’m still wicked slow,” he notes, “but I’m motivated.”
Carrying the Cause Forward
Tom’s involvement with suicide prevention doesn’t end on race day. As a pastor, he sees the ongoing need for open conversations—and support for those who are grieving.
“Running with Team Samaritans has helped strengthen our church’s partnership with the organization,” he said. “And on a personal level, sharing my own story publicly—especially on social media—has opened the door for others to share theirs.”
Friends, congregants, and even acquaintances have reached out to Tom to talk about their own experiences with suicide loss. “It’s not something people usually talk about—but once you do, you find out how many others (too many!) are carrying similar pain.”
This year, Tom’s fundraising efforts have a new focus: raising awareness about military suicide.
“Veterans and active-duty service members have significantly higher rates of suicide, and I’m motivated to raise awareness of that ongoing, tragic reality as I raise support this year,” he said.
A Team United by Purpose
When asked about what makes Team Samaritans special, Tom doesn’t hesitate.
“There’s this unspoken bond,” he said. “I can’t say for sure, but I think everyone on the team has some personal connection to suicide—whether they’ve lost someone, come close, or just understand deeply how much this cause affects us all. That shared purpose makes race day feel really meaningful.”
He’s also felt deep support from his church, friends, and community. “When you open up about your story, others respond. They give, they share, they heal alongside you.”
Race Day Goals
“Honestly? Getting to the food tents before the hot dogs run out,” Tom said with a grin.
If you’d like to support Tom in his fundraising efforts, please visit his fundraising page. Every contribution brings us one step closer to preventing suicide and saving lives.
Check out the full #TeamSamaritans at https://capesamaritans.org/falmouth-road-race/.