Medford 5K Race Directory 2023

The source for 5K races in Medford, MA!

Updated March 17^th, 2023

Medford 5K race season is still a few months away and none of the races have posted dates. Please stay tuned.

In 2022, Dave McGillivray brought a new 5K and 5 mile event to Medford. Community participation was high and we look forward to running this race again in 2023.

Medford has several great 5K race routes including the Middlesex Fells and the Mystic River Reservation along the Mystic River.

Medford 5K Race Directory 2022 – no updates for 2023 yet.

Running Of The Leprechauns

TBD March | 8:00 AM | Sunday | see you in 2023

5k race, medford 5k races Cancelled in 2021 and 2022 due to COVID-19, it looks like this race will return in 2023.

The Running of The Leprechauns moved back to the American Legion Hall on Winthrop Street in Medford a few years ago.

This location provides plenty of room for people to stay warm and gather after the race.

This Medford 5K race has raised over $115,000 for Boston Children’s Hospital.

Tufts University Graduate Student Council 5K

TBD April | 9:00 AM | See you in 2023

Tufts GSK 5K, Tufts University Each year the Tufts University Graduate Student Council 5K Run/Walk becomes more and more popular.

Like so many races, COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of this race in 2020 and 2021.

In the past, registration was only $20, so you can’t beat the price.

All proceeds benefit Medford, Somerville and Dorchester organizations. The event is sponsored by the Graduate Student Council of Tufts University as part of their effort to support the local community.

This race starts at Eaton Hall and takes place entirely on the Tufts University campus. This helps keep expenses down and provides a challenging course for runners.

Kiwanis SUPER HERO 5K

TBD June | 9:00 AM | Saturday | See you in 2023

The Kiwanis SUPER HERO 5K was a new race for Medford in 2019.

They had to cancel in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID and we may have lost this race.

The race took place at Mystic River Bend Park behind McGlynn Elementary School. For your map app use: 3002 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford, MA 02155

The race route laps the Mystic River and is almost entirely on sidewalk or paths. This makes it a great race to bring the kids to.

Registration was $22.34 for 18+ and $17.02 for youth 6 -17

Summer Run Fest 5K and 10K

30 July | 9:00 AM | Saturday – see you in 2023!

A fun Summer race to bring the community together. The racecourse follows the scenic path of Mystic River Reservation.

The race website doesn’t mention the specific location.

The Mystic River State Reservation is on Rt 16/Revere Beach Parkway in Medford. The only way to get into the parking lot is heading east on Rt 16 as this is a divided parkway.

This is near the State Police barracks at Wellington Circle.

On-line registration is closed

I actually ran the 5K this year. I’m coming back from an injury and am horribly out of shape, so I did a race day registration. It was $40.

I’ll have a race review in the next week or so.

Here are the race results.

Run Medford 5K and 5 Mile

18 September | 1:00 PM | Sunday – See you in 2023

Medford City Hall

A new race event is coming to Medford!

The day kicks off at 11:00 AM with a kid’s fun run for children 3 – 12 years old.

Para/Adaptive Athlete Mile begins at 11:30.

At Noon, students aged 14-18 years old may participate in the High School Mile, which will be a three-loop course that starts and finishes at Medford City Hall.

At 12:30 PM the Mayor’s Celebrity Mile kicks off on the same route as the High School Mile.

At 1:00 PM the 5K and 8K/5 mile races begin.

5K/8K includes: t-shirt, finisher’s medal, beer tickets to the post-race party at Carroll’s for participants who are at least 21 years old. A portion of each registration will be directed toward student-athlete programs within the City of Medford. But don’t wait! T-shirts are only guaranteed until JULY 31.

This exciting running event is brought to Medford by Dave McGillivray and DMSE.

Registration was $45 for the 5K or 8K races.

Housing Families 5K

12 November | 10:00 AM | Saturday

2022 registration was $40!

The annual Housing Families 5K Powered by BOND brings awareness to the link between health and homelessness. Homelessness is closely connected to declines in physical and mental health. At Housing Families, we serve more than 1,000 families a year through supportive services and eviction prevention assistance.

You can run the event in person on November 12^th at 10AM or virtually between November 12^th and 13^th.

Teams from Housing Families and BOND will be there to greet you and cheer you on! The race route will take place at River’s Edge Park along the Malden River.

This is a narrow path in some areas, so if you want to run a PR you may want to opt for the virtual race or start at the front.

Refreshments and bathrooms will be available onsite.

Event Results 2022

Medford Jingle Bell Run

? November | 11:00 AM | Sunday

The race was cancelled in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

I’ve heard through the grape vine that it is coming back.

The Medford Jingle Bell run is sponsored by Lonergan Insurance and Real Estate who cover the entire operating cost of the race. This allows every dollar from fundraising to go to the students of the Medford Schools.

Each school in Medford that participates receives race proceeds in proportion to their contribution to the race.

Some high school clubs raise as much in this one event as they would in several fundraising events. And many hands make for lighter work.

This is an innovative concept in fundraising. It allows each elementary, middle school PTO and High School teams and clubs in town to have a significant fundraiser and not have to deal with all of the logistics.

What better way to kick of the Holiday Season than a festive 5K the Sunday before Thanksgiving?

Bring the kids and make it a family run, a family tradition. Many Medford 5K races allow children to run with their parents. Some also feature shorter races just for the kids so they can have some fun and catch the running bug!

Registration fee was $10 for kids under age 11; $15 for kids 11-18; and $25 for adults in advance or $30 day of race.

Run Well My Friends!

Andy

St. Patrick’s Day 5K Races Greater Boston 2023

Looking for a St. Patrick’s Day 5K race in the GBA? This updated listing for 2023 has you covered.

Here are the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day 5K races in the Greater Boston area.

St. Patrick’s Day 5K races, like most holiday themed races, take place around the actual holiday.

St. Patrick’s Day falls on Friday March 17th, 2023

This gives you the opportunity to run a St. Patrick’s Day themed race two weekends in a row or twice in a weekend if you want!

To register for a race click the race title or the registration information link.

To order a finisher’s medal for your runner, click HERE.

Shamrock Shuffle 5K

11 March | 9:00 AM | Saturday | Medway – see you in 2024!

Medway Shamrock Shuffle, St Patrick's 5K

Sponsored by the Medway Elementary Parent Teacher Organization, the race raises funds for Medway’s elementary schools.

Supporting creative arts programs, cultural arts programming, teacher appreciation events, and other activities that benefit Medway schools and enhance the children’s education.

The 5K course winds through the scenic back roads of Medway and is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, including children and families.

Registration was: Adults $30, 17 and under is $20. T-shirts were available through February 1st.

Now in it’s 12th year, this race has cash awards for the top three male and female finishers. Age group medals for first through third place runners will be awarded. This race does not have a finisher’s medal for all runners.

Mick Morgan’s St. Patrick’s 5K

11 March | Noon | Saturday | Sharon – see you in 2024

Registration was: $30, $35 day of race. The first 300 to register receive a long-sleeve tech t-shirt. This race often draws up to 800 runners, so sign up before they hit capacity.

Event location: Mick Morgan\’s Irish Pub, 973 Providence Highway (Route 1), Sharon, Massachusetts 02067

Proceeds support HESSCO programs and services of providing support and services to seniors, individuals living with a disability and their caregivers in South Norfolk County.

HESSCO packages and delivers an average of 130,000 home delivered meals each year and serves an additional 30,000 meals annually in dining room settings. Our drivers not only deliver a hot, nutritious meal, but they provide a wellness check and a friendly visit. For many, this is the difference needed to maintain their dignity and independence at home.

It appears that this race does not provide a finishers medal to all runners. If you are bringing someone to their First 5K, make sure to order a My First 5K medal for them!

St. Patty’s Day 5K/10K & Pub Crawl

11 March | 10:00 AM | Saturday | Portsmouth, NH – see you in 2024

This race is entirely within the Pease Development Authority, on straight paved roads. These races used to be held in Salisbury Beach State Park.

The 5K is a single loop and the 10K is two loops plus a bit.

5k & 10k participants (21+ only) may redeem their Sam Adams beer ticket at Paddy’s American Grille or at Cisco Brewers, Portsmouth.

FREE photos and finish line video will be available at no additional cost! There is also a gear check for these races!

Age group awards start at 19 & under for both the 5K and 10K.

Registration was:

5K – $35 through race day of if available. Ages 12-20 $30 and under 11 is $10. Add $5 for race day registration.
10K – $40 through race day of if available for all age groups.

Age group and top three male and female runners will receive awards.

2023 Event Results

Guinness Celtic 5K

12 March | 11:00 AM | Sunday | Worcester – see you in 2024

Held at the Elm Park at 284 Highland Street in Worcester, this race features an extensive list of bars for post race parties. So you know it’s going to be a good time!

The Guinness Celtic 5k is the first race of Tour de Worcester, a three part race series starting in March.

Registration was $34 through March 11^th.

The post race party takes place at five Worcester bars!

Shamrocks on the Rocks 5K

12 March | 1:00 PM | Sunday | Lunenburg – see you in 2024

This race is organized by the North Medford Running Club and is an out and back 5K Run and Walk around Lake Whalom.

The race is listed on the club site, but there isn’t a link for registration.

Custom designed apparel for the first 150 entrants and a party after the race at On The Rocks!!! with pizza from Embers Pizzeria!

Event location: 96 Lakefront Street, Lunenburg, MA

Prizes: Cash for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Male and Female Runners Overall. First 150 to register receive Custom Gloves – Finisher medals to ALL finishers.

Registration was $20.00 through March 1st and $25 through March 10th and on race day.

Marshfield St. Patrick’s 5K

18 March | 10:00 AM | Saturday | Marshfield

This St. Patrick’s Day 5K is sponsored by the Marshfield Education Foundation and is now in it’s 13^th year. This USATF certified race usually draws over 2,000 runners.

Registration is $35 for adults and $20 for 19 and under. Race day registration is available.

Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at “America’s Most Irish Road Race”! Wear your green and join 4,000 runners, walkers and crawlers at the South Shore’s premier road race!

Flat, fast, USATF certified 5K ocean course with cash prizes ($683,$250,$100) for the top three overall male and female, along with $317 ($1,000 total!) for a new male or female course record! (M-14:39 & F-16:28). Age group awards first through third.

Great finish parties at the pubs and restaurants of Brant Rock! A fun day for all!!

Shamrock Stampede 5K

18 March | 11:00 AM | Saturday | Plymouth

This race is based out of the DCR Pilgrim Memorial State Park. Registration includes one free beer ticket for the post race party.

Proceeds benefit:

Kathy Frank Scholarship Fund – providing a scholarship to a graduate of Silver Lake High School going into the field of nursing in memory of Kathy Frank.

Kathy was a Kingston resident and a nurse at South Shore Hospital who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in April 2011.

On-line registration was $30 for adults, $20 for 11 – 20 and 70+, and $15 for 10 and under. Add $5 for race day registration.

Awards for top 1-3, male and female and 1st place age-group runners.

This race does not have a finisher’s medal for all runners.

Holyoake St Patrick’s Road Race 10K & Walk

18 March | 1PM | Saturday | Holyoke

Registration is still open for the 45th annual running of this race. The 10K is $40 and the walk is $30 through race day.

There is a FREE kid’s race that does not require registration for children 2 to 10 years old.

Rás na hÉireann 5K

19 March | 11:00 AM | Sunday | Somerville

This race has become a tradition among local runners over the past twenty years. The race took a 4-year hiatus between 2018 and 2022, but is back for 2023!

Run from Davis Square, the course is moderately challenging and well marshaled.

Registration includes a quality multi-colored short sleeve tee shirt with Irish theme, finishers medal & great post race party.

The after party is one of the best with most bars in Somerville participating. Check the web site for locations and sign up!

Registration is open at $42 March 1st to 18th.

St. Patrick’s Day Road Race

19 March | 11:00 AM | Sunday | South Boston – Sold out!

boys and girls clubs of Boston, Boston 5K road race

A Southie tradition since 1940, this race takes place just before the famous South Boston St. Patrick Day’s Parade.

The race is hosted and sponsored by Keystone, the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club Teen Leadership Program. Funds raised at the race will help support the Keystone program.

Event location: 230 West Sixth Street Boston, MA

Registration is sold out! It had been only $30.00.

Registration was limited to 650 runners and the race has sold out!

The Connolly Medal is given to the first South Boston resident to finish the St. Patrick’s Day Road Race. It is named for James Brendan Connolly, a son of South Boston, who medaled in the 1896 Olympics in Athens and is considered the first modern Olympic champion.

The Father Lane Medal is awarded each year to the first place Edgerley Family South Boston Club Kid Finisher.

2022 Race Results

2021 Race Results

Mayflower Brewing St. Patrick’s Day 5K

26 March | 9:30 AM | Sunday | Plymouth

Plymouth St. Patrick's Day 5K, Mayflower Brewing

Sponsored by and based out of the Mayflower Brewing Company brewery at 12 Resnik Rd # 3, Plymouth, MA.

Registration is open at $40 through March 24th, then $45 – cash or check only.

Each runner will receive a short sleeve tech shirt and runners over 21 will get one Mayflower brew. So bring your ID. Free finish line photos will be taken for you!

This race does not offer a finisher’s medal for each runner.

VIP Teams
Teams of 20 or more will receive the following perks:
– Reserved tent and table in the heart of the post-race party
– A stock of beer waiting for you at the finish

11th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Hibernian 5K

? March 11:00 AM – Sunday | Lynn – no info for 2023

Course: The Hibernian 5K is a loop course starting at Hibernian Hall that goes through some of the residential neighborhoods of West Lynn and finishes at Hibernian Hall. Walkers are welcomed!

Race Amenities: Long-sleeve dri-fit shirts to the first 500 pre-registered runners, race timing, water on the course, post-race raffles and entertainment.

Prizes for the top three male and female adult overall winners, and top male and female under 13 years of age, and top Hibernians.

Event location: Hibernian Hall, 105 Federal St., Lynn, MA

Registration was $30 through race day.

Hyannis Shamrock Shuffle

~~15 March~~ – 11:00 AM – Sunday – Hyannis – cancelled?

This race is based out of the Michael Aselton Memorial Park in Hyannis. Registration includes a beer ticket for the post race party.

Proceeds benefit The Shawn Thornton Foundation. The Shawn Thornton Foundation is dedicated to helping find cures for diseases close to Shawn’s heart, specifically, Parkinson’s and cancer.

Registration was $30 for adults, $20 for 11 to 20 and $15 for 10 and under. Add $5 for race day registration.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, run well and may the wind be at your back!

Andy

Local 5K Race Directories

Looking for a 5K race near your home can be frustrating.
I’ve created these directories for towns in the GBA to make it a little easier.

Over the past few years I have been maintaining local 5K race directories by town. Some towns have quite a few races while many have none or maybe one or two.

I find these races by researching race timing and race management company websites. Quite often I find races on the web site of the organization who is the beneficiary of the fundraising from the race.

The information is all over the place and takes time to gather and maintain.

Local 5K Race Directories

If you google the name of a town and local 5K races, or races near me, you are likely to get a list of links to individual races. Looking at each one can be time consuming and often they are in no particular order. Sometimes the link provided is to a previous years information.

Then there are the other so-called “Race Directories.” I’ve looked at many of these. They are often heavy with ads and light on actual race information. It’s not unusual to look for a race in your town and get a list that includes races in another state! Someone is obviously not paying attention to their work.

In order to provide a useful service to you I frequently update my directories. Several times a year I conduct a far reaching search for any new races. Sometimes they are found by accident. It’s amazing how some races are kept almost a secret.

I look for these races because often these events raise money for important causes and these smaller races are often fun to run.

Why do I manage 5K Race Directories?

I started creating the directories as a result of my own searches for local races. I found that no one site seemed to have all of the races for any given location. Friends would tell me about a race I never heard of or missed because of bad information or no information from the race at all.

I also manage the directories as a way to promote the My First 5K medal. Most 5K road races have awards for the top three male and female finishers and sometimes age-group awards.

I know many people who have managed to encourage their spouse or child to run a 5K with them. Everyone is excited about running the race and I love to see a new runner trying a 5K for the first time.

In most cases a new runner is not going to place over all or in their age group. So they go home without a medal to show for their first 5K.

If a race does give all finishers a medal it is often an inexpensive medal that is easily forgotten.

That just doesn’t seem right to me. All first time 5K runners deserve a medal that they can be proud of.

GBA 5K Race Directories

Here are my 5K race directories for the GBA (Greater Boston Area). Please let me know if I am missing a race or have some facts wrong.

If you are a race director and would like me to add your race, please let me know. info @ omnirunning.com

Also, if you are running with a first time 5K runner, check the race web site to see if they give all runners a medal. If they don’t please order a My First 5K medal for your runner.

Medford 5K Race Directory

Somerville 5K Race Directory

Cambridge 5K Race Directory

Malden 5K Race Directory

Everett 5K Race Directory

There are so many 5Ks in Boston that I have not started a directory for them.

Do you know of a town that has several 5K races that I should create a directory for? Please let me know at [email protected]

Run well my Friends,

Andy

New England Valentines Races 2023

Looking for a Valentine’s Day race, or something close to it?
Check out these local races.

Looking for a New England Valentines race for 2023?

In New England we believe in getting outside, even in the middle of winter. New England Valentines Races are a great excuse to go out for a run with your somebody special.

Massachusetts Valentines Races

Cupid’s Chase 5K

11 February | Saturday | 10AM | Wakefield, MA

The 10th Annual Cupid’s Chase Valentines Race is in person for 2023.

Registration is: $35 for individual runners and they encourage running club participation.

100% of proceeds from the 5k road race will be donated to the National MS Society and Neurofibromatosis Northeast. Over the past eight years this race has raised more than $50,000.

I ran The Cupid’s Chase in 2017 in Wakefield, MA.

2022 Race Results

2020 Race Results

Bradford Valentine Road Race

TBD February | Saturday | Bradford, MA

The Bradford Valentines Road Races went virtual for 2021, was cancelled in 2022, and I cannot find any details for 2023.

The 5 Miler should return to an in-person race in 2022.

2021 registration was $35 for either the 5 Miler or 6K race.

Registration included:

Customized race bib for download
30th anniversary commemorative long sleeve shirt
Custom participant medal and ribbon
Sampler box of chocolates
Valentine flower
Personal online photo album
Virtual online leaderboard results
Access to members only Facebook group
Personalized digital finisher’s certificate for download

Paddy Kelly 10K Road Race

5 February | Sunday | 11:00 AM | Brockton

This race was cancelled for 2021 but came back for 2022 and for 2023 it has gone from a 5-miler to a 10K. And it’s close enough to Valentine’s day!

The race is based out of Harry’s Westgate Pub and Grill in Brockton. Race start is at D.W. Field Park about a quarter miles away at 11:00 AM.

This race is produced by the Colonial Road Runners and registration is $35. First 250 to register are guaranteed a gift. All runners will enjoy hot chili/pasta and one complementary beer or soft drink.

Age group and top finishers receive awards. This race does not provide a finisher’s medal to all runners.

2022 Race Results

2020 Race Results

Valentines Race in Vermont

Cupid 5K

? February | Saturday | 9:00 AM | Shelburne, VT – no details for 2023

Registration was $30 and includes finisher’s medal for all finishers. Registration is limited to 100 runners.

T-shirts were available for $15.00.

Racevermont.com will be donating a percentage of the net income from this race to Healing Winds and the Cancer Patient Support Foundation.

2022 Race Results

2020 Race Results

Valentines Races in Connecticut

Bob and Peg Andrulis Memorial Sweetheart Run

11 February | Saturday | 11:00 AM | Litchfield, CT

This USATF certified 5 mile course (#CT13035JHP) starts at the Litchfield Community Center at 11AM.

There is also a 3 mile walk which also begins at 11AM.

Registration is $30, Kids 10 and under are $10.00, folks 80+ are FREE!

Proceeds benefit the Litchfield Community Center. Long sleeve shirts guaranteed for the first 150 registrants.

Cupid Made Me Do It! 2 Miler

12 February | Saturday | 10:00 AM | Willimantic, CT

The Cupid Made Me Do It is a 2 mile run or walk to be held in downtown Willimantic. This “urban scramble” will be held as a part of the Romantic Willimantic Chocolate Festival and will benefit the Windham Area Interfaith Ministry.

Valentine’s Day fancy dress is appreciated and applauded.

The first 250 registered runners receive a free Cupid Gloves or a FANDANA.

Everyone registered by February 3rd receives a shirt. There are age-group awards and team awards – so bring your friends!

Registration is $25 and $10 for 12 and under.

2020 Cupid Made Me Do It Results

IRIS Run for Refugees 5K

12 February | Saturday | 10AM | New Haven, CT

Registration includes their iconic Run for Refugees shirt, post-race food and entertainment.

Registration is open at $33 for adults and $27 for students.

IRIS served more than 2,000 immigrants last year and welcomed over 280 newly arrived refugees! The mission of IRIS is to enable refugees and other displaced people to establish new lives, regain hope, and contribute to the vitality of Connecticut’s communities. Refugees are men, women and children who fled their countries of origin due to persecution on the basis of their race, nationality, religious belief, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

Run well my Friends!

Andy

Summer Mid Week Races 2022

Mid week summer races are as rare as the summer is short. But they are usually a lot of fun and a break for the usual.

Mid week races are a nice change of pace. Summer mid week races are even better as you can enjoy the great out doors after work and it’s still light out!

Mid Week Race Logistics

For a weekend race, you may have to get up early or drive long distances.

Any mid week races that I’ve run have been in the evening. We all have to work. So it’s a good idea to toss a can of bug spray into your bag.

Maine State Bird — socialxyz.blogspot.com

A few years ago I ran a Thursday evening race along The Charles River. As we stood their in our running clothes waiting for the start, the bugs were eating us alive!

Fortunately, someone had a can of Off and we passed it around for everyone to use.

For a Saturday or Sunday morning race, the traffic is usually light. For a mid week race you are dealing with rush hour traffic.

If possible try to get the afternoon off so you have extra time to get to your destination. If you can’t leave work early, change at work and head out as soon as you can.

I’ve changed up in the Men’s room several times for an after work run. I have to say, it is a little odd to be standing in a stall completely naked and then have a colleague walk in.

As they say, there’s a time and place for everything. In the locker room I wouldn’t think twice.

In summary: plan ahead, leave early if you can and don’t forget the bug spray!

My Summer mid week races 2022

Cambridge Summer Classic 5K

On Thursday July 14th, I ran the Cambridge Summer Classic 5K. I’ve probably run this race every year it has been held and this year I also volunteered to distribute t-shirts.

This is one of my favorite summer mid week races. I work in Cambridge and can walk about a mile to get to this race.

The race starts just off of Mass Ave and right next to MIT. Harvard and many well-known businesses are around the block or just down the road.

It starts at 6:30 and it’s almost always an ideal July evening. One year we had torrential rain, but every other year it’s just perfect.

It draws a large crowd of college students and young professionals. Then there are the old boys like me who have been running for years.

Paul Clark has a very well organized operation, while I’m sure something goes wrong at every race, you’d never know it.

I got there early, helped with the shirts and then lined up for the race.

There is always a large group of volunteers and we always manage to have a good time!

I managed to run a time of 29:04 for a pace of 9:34. It was the hardest I’ve run in quite a while. While I wasn’t breaking any records, it was an important step on my road to The Marathon.

After the race I ran into one of my friends from Athletic Brewing! I’ve been enjoying their brews for almost a year now. What a great find!

There is a group of regulars that I hang out with after the race and we always have a good time.

Newburyport Home Coming

This race event is part of Newburyport Yankee Home Coming Days and has been around for 62 years. 2022 was the first time I ran this race.

Lucky for me I worked from home on Tuesday, August 2nd and hitched a ride with Maria from my running club. I just had to drive to Melrose to meet her.

I always encourage car pools to any races because parking can be a major pain. And it was for this race.

We got there less than an hour before start time. We drove around but couldn’t find a spot to park.

Maria dropped me off near the start so I could pick up our bibs and she could find a parking spot. It took her another 15 minutes or so to find a place to park and make her way to the start area.

Even with almost an hour to spare, we had a hard time finding parking. It’s always a good idea to keep in mind how large the race is.

This race had a 5K and 10K and probably 5,000 runners between them. And this town was having a festival!

For summer mid week races, you may find many parking spaces occupied by commuters or people who work in town and haven’t gone home yet. Not to mention, cars to transport 5,000 runners!

We definitely learned something about logistics that night!

This race began at 6PM at Newburyport High School. Right in the middle of town and right in the middle of their festival. Talk about mayhem!

I got our bibs and Maria made it to the start area and found us with about 10 minutes to spare.

There were about 15 people from the club, so that made the race even more fun.

Running The Newburyport Homecoming 5K

Everyone told me that the race had a lot of hills and was always hot.

In fact, it’s so tough that neighbors stand out with their hoses for the runners and some have their own water stops! I love it when the town comes out for the race.

There certainly were a lot of hills, though my Garmin elevation map looks like a flat-line. My elevation gain over the entire 5K course was only 86 feet.

And while the map may show flat, most of that gain came in short intervals.

I was feeling pretty good so I ran as hard as I could in that heat and humidity.

When you get near the end you can hear the crowd which gives you a nice boost. Then we took a right onto the high school driveway and began the final ascent! No kick for the last 100 yards of this race!

Getting up the hill was challenge enough!

I ran a little long at 3.16 miles for a time of 29:23 and a pace of 9:18.

After the race we went to a concert in the park which was right on the river.

I had no idea we were going to hang out and drink beers in the park. But some of my friends came prepared with lawn chairs and a few cold beers to share.

A perfect summer evening with friends.

Wakefield Stride 5K

This race was Wednesday, August 10th at lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield and benefited Melrose Healthcare.

The Melrose Running Club is a sponsor of this race, lends volunteer support and we were the largest team at the event.

A Summer mid week race on the banks of a lake is a nice setting. It is still a very urban setting with roads wrapped around the lake and lots of traffic. But we were in a nice park looking out onto the lake.

The Mystics Running Club has mid week race around this lake every Wednesday night. I’ve run with them many times.

This Wednesday night, the Hospital had taken over the joint!

I didn’t really have any expectations and was happy to run a bit with my old friend Jeff. He’s in much better shape and eventually we parted ways.

One of my favorite running memories is a Mystics Tuesday night race on this course. It was about eight years ago and I was probably at my running peak.

I ran with a few other guys and we were all in. We traded places a lot and each of us knew what we were doing. So there was no pushing or close calls and we kind of looked out for each other in the traffic.

I have no idea who those guys were and we didn’t win anything, but it was a great time!

This year I ran 3.05 miles in 27:12 for a pace of 8:55! Where did that come from?

For me, it was a pretty quiet year race-wise. I’m still going to PT and trying to ramp up my running at a rate that won’t cause another injury.

These three summer mid week races were a lot of fun and I plan on running them again next year.

I hope you had a great summer and had some excellent running experiences.

Andy

Melrose 5K Race Directory 2022

Melrose is a very active town. There is a YMCA, Melrose Boot Camp and a large and active running club, the Melrose Running Club. Whenever I drive through town I see runners everywhere.

If you are promoting a race that I do not have listed here, please contact me at [email protected]

2020 and 2021 were tough years for races every where. Some went virtual and some just faded away.

Melrose 5K Race Directory

Fitzgerald Physical Therapy Associates Melrose Run For Women

8 May | 9:00 AM | Sunday | Mother’s Day

The Melrose Run for Women is back and in person for 2022!

With Fitzgerald Physical Therapy Associates as the marque sponsor, the race is sure to be better than ever!

Produced by the Melrose Running Club this 3.5 mile women only road race draws around 1,000 runners each year.

All proceeds benefit Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV). Since 1998 over $278,000 has been donated.

Awards are given to the top finishers, the first mother and grandmother to finish, and best mother/daughter team finishers. Awards are also given to top age group finishers.

Registration is open at: $35 per person and $60 for mother/daughter teams. On May 1st prices got to $40 and $70 respectively.

Melrose Firefighters Fathers Day 5K

TBD June | 9:30 AM | Sunday – see you in 2022?

I really thought this race would make a come back in 2021 since the fire fighters are so good at organizing this.

Keeping my eyes open and hopes high for 2022!

2021 would be the 8^th running of this Melrose 5K race which raises money for the Melrose Firefighters Relief Association.

Normally, the fun starts with a free kids race where everyone wins! Music, snacks, and fire trucks will abound.

Melrose Family YMCA Spooky Sprint 5K

29 October | 8:30 AM | Saturday

The Spooky Sprint is alive! Alive and in person for 2022!

This race begins at the Y and travels through charming downtown Melrose and through beautiful Pine Banks. Bring your costumes and family!

All proceeds benefit the Melrose Family YMCA’s Growing Stronger Together scholarship fund which ensures no one in the community is turned away for inability to pay.

In 2015 the YMCA of Metro North provided more than one million dollars in financial aid providing all children, adults and families with opportunities to develop a healthy spirit, mind and body regardless of income.

Registration is open at: $30 for adults and $20 for 18 and under through October 13th.

Assault on Mt. Hood

10 December | Noon

The Assault on Mt. Hood returns as an in person cross country race for 2022.

The location as much as the time of year makes this race what it is, and you just can’t duplicate that at home.

This race has become an early winter tradition for cross-country runners from the GBA and beyond. The race is run on the Mt. Hood golf course and the route is slightly different year-to-year depending on conditions.

The race organizers seek to make the course more challenging each year. So come prepared to climb hills!

This Melrose Running Club production features awards, refreshments, a Huge Post Race Party with plenty of food and a few beers.

And don’t forget about the legendary nutcrackers!

We have a 2022 date, but registration is not open yet.

Melrose 5K Race Directory Updates

Please let me know if I missed a race or if your group is starting a race for next year. I will be more than happy to add your race or make any corrections to the races listed.

Run well my Friends!

Andy