2021 Somerville 5K Race Directory
Davis Square is probably the most popular location for Somerville 5K race events. Over the past few years, Assembly Row and the DCR Blessing of the Bay boat house on The Mystic River have also become popular
Somerville 5K races range in size from a few hundred to a few thousand runners. Some are party events geared towards a younger crowd, and some are family oriented and great to bring your kids to.
The list of Somerville 5K races changes yearly. 2020 saw many races cancelled due to COVID-19. Hopefully with the vaccines you will be able to run Somerville 5K race in person in 2021.
None of these races have updated their information for 2021 yet, so be sure to check back for updates.
If you are managing a race that is not on this list, send your information to – info@omnirunning.com.
Spread the word about Somerville 5K races! Click To TweetM.O.M.’s Run 5K
TBD May 10:00 AM – Sunday
This race was postponed and then cancelled in 2020. Currently the race web site has not been updated.
The Mary O’Brien Memorial Run 5K will take place at Baxter Park at Assembly Row Somerville.
Proceeds from this Somerville 5K benefit the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Over 16 years they have raised over $220,000.
Due to construction of the Green Line Extension the race moved to Assembly Row and will be run along the pathways of the Mystic River Reservation.
The first 300 runners to register get a commemorative tank top. The post race party features Redbone’s BBQ and Harpoon!
Registration was $30 for the 5K and $5 for the kids 0.1 mile run.
Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle
TBD May 5K at 9:00 AM – Saturday
2020 was the 24th year for this 5K and paddling event and it’s most unique year.
In addition to the 5k, the event normally features three paddle races of 3, 9 and 12 mile distances.
For 2020 they went virtual with four 5K courses or you could make up your own. You had the option of running all four 5Ks “Olympic Herring” or just one.
You also had the option of paddling the 9 mile course from Blessing of The Bay boathouse up to the Lower Mystic Lakes and back.
A 3rd option was the “Iron Herring” where you can all four 5ks and paddled the 9-mile Mystic course.
The race is a fundraiser for the Mystic River Watershed Association.
The paddle event took place at the DCR Blessing of the Bay Boathouse in Somerville.
Registration was $10 for as many 5Ks as you wanted to run or to paddle 9 miles on The Mystic.
While I miss in person events, virtual events provide the opportunity for race directors to get creative and keep events fun and interesting.
$10 for that much fun and racing is hard to beat!
Fast and Furriest 5K
TBD May 10:00 AM
This 5K race is a fundraiser for the MSPCA and Angell Memorial. 2020 was the fifth year for this Somerville 5K and their first virtual race.
Even with the challenges of 2020, they raised over $110,000.
For 2021 they hope to be back at the DCR Baxter Park at Assembly Row, 100 Foley Street.
Just One Run 5k
TBD June 10:00 AM
This race was not held in 2020 and the Foundation’s web page has not been updated for 2021 yet.
This race starts at the Blessing of the Bay Boat House, Shore Drive, Somerville, MA. There is a kid’s Fun Run at 9:30 and then the 5K starts at 10:00 AM.
Registration was $30 for 13+ and $15 for 12 and under. The half mile Kid’s Fun Run is FREE!
‘Just One Run’ race day t-shirts are guaranteed to the first 200 registered and all kids registered under 12 years of age. The event also includes a free ½ mile Kids Fun Run, post-race refreshments, music, family activities and informational stations provided by local resources.
Parking is limited.
Race to the Row
TBD August 9:00 AM
This race was cancelled in 2020 and no information is available for the 2021 race.
This is a Somerville Road Runners production at Assembly Square. In addition to the 5K, there is a “Fast Mile” race that requires all runners to finish the race in 10 minutes or less.
For kids 9 and under there is a Kid’s 1/8th mile Fun Run and all participants will receive a medal.
The wheelchair 5K begins at 9:25 and the 5K begins at 9:30.
Registration was: $32 through July 31 then $37 and $40 day of. Fast Mile is $20 or $25 day of.
Add the Fast Mile to your 5K registration for just $5.00! Day-of registration for the combo is $50.00.
This event, which began in 2013, has raised more than $27,500 for the East Somerville Main Streets organization, Somerville TrackPAC and Somerville Auxiliary Police.
Rás na hÉireann
TBD March 11:00 AM – Sunday
The race was cancelled in 2019 due to construction and cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.
No information is available for the 2021 event.
In 2018 this race had 1,340 finishers. Based in Davis Square the Rás na hÉireann in one of Somerville’s largest 5K races.
This race draws some of the best 5K runners in New England. In 2018 the top four runners ran a 5:00 or less pace! 37 runners ran a 6:00 or less pace.
Many hundreds more ran your pace. So don’t be intimidated.
Mark Kenneally of Dublin, Ireland, set the course record of 14:19 in 2006. Molly Huddle, of Providence, Rhode Island, set the women’s course record of 15:59 in 2010.
So if you want to compete with some of the best 5K runners around or just go for a fun run with your friends, this mid-September race is for you.
With a strong St. Patty’s and Irish theme, this race attracts a young crowd and is always a great time. I do see a few kids in strollers, but this is generally not a family focused event.
Somerville Homeless Coalition Road Race
TBD October 9:00 AM Sunday
2019 was the 24th year for this 5K! The race starts behind Arlington High School.
For 2020 this race was cancelled due to COVID-19 and no information is available for 2021 yet.
Registration was $30. Raise $150 and your registration is FREE. Raise $300, get FREE registration and a runner’s cap! They will even help you set up a fundraising page.
There will be plenty of parking at the high school. There is a fantastic brunch served after this race, which alone is worth the price of admission!
I ran this race three or four years ago and recall that it was around 1,000 runners and certainly not 3,000. I would recommend this race for the kids.
Team Chase 5k for Autism Speaks & Somerville Special Education
It looks like they have discontinued this race. I will keep an eye out for updates.
Supporting the Team Chase 5k run/walk for Autism supports research, awareness and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism. All proceeds will be donated to Autism Speaks & Somerville Special Ed.
Registration wa $35
Somerville Jingle Bell Run
TBD December 11:00 AM
This race was cancelled in 2020 and details for 2021 have not been posted yet.
I’ve run this Davis Square 5K several times. It’s always brisk but not bone crushing cold. If you like big races, this one is for you!
In 2018 over 2300 runners finished this race, many in costume!
In 2019 we hung out with Bill Rodgers and several other marathon champions at The Burren. One of my last race events before COVID-19 changed our world.
2019 results were posted to Coolrunning.com. Cool Running was taken over by Active.com which in my opinion is useless.
Active.com’s lack of usability makes local race directories like this that much more important.
Jack’s Abbey sponsors the post race party at 18 Somerville bars. This is definitely a party race, so leave the kids and keys at home! The Red Line station is right around the corner, so why risk it.
Enjoy a fun race with friends, get into the holiday spirit and let someone else do the driving.
Shwag for this race includes a t-shirt and jingle bells.
Run Well my Friends and support your local races!
Andy
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I love your blog! Thanks for also posting the upcoming Somerville races!!! Small favor- could you please update the name of the Tom Taylor run to be som|dog Tom Taylor Memorial Doggie 5k Fun Run?
Thank you Amy. I’ll make the update.
Wow- that was fast! Thank you.
Did I just count nine 5k races in Somerville? That a great selection to choose from!
That Rás na hÉireann race looks inspiring. Imagine running with some of the best 5K runners in New England!
I hope the race will happen in 2021!
A happy new year to you, Andy! With or without races, we will run on!
Happy New Year Catrina!
I would be happy to run 1-2 of these races in 2021.