February is the dead of Winter in The GBA. Even though the days are getting longer, our part of the globe is still cooling off. As we continue to chill out in the Northern Hemisphere we can get some of the worse weather of the winter.
These harsh conditions keep the list of February Boston Area 5Ks short.
While Boston Marathon training swings into high gear in January, only these hard core runners are willing to run in any conditions. This keeps the February race crowds down and makes it difficult for February 5K races to break even, let alone fund raise for local non-profits.
I hope you will find a race here that you would like to run and help these local races succeed.
Check back for 2020 dates, registration information and hopefully some new races.
Boston Area 5K Races February Edition
3 February – 9:30 AM – Sunday – Weymouth, MA
New England Runner Magazine is partnering with Barrel House Z, Weymouth’s craft brewery and Old Colony Running Events to host the South Shore’s only 5K leading up to the big game.
The Bamboozled IPA Pre-Game 5K in Weymouth features a fast flat course which starts and finishes at Barrel House Z. It’s an out and back route with a loop at the midpoint.
The runner with the best football themed costume (as determined by our judges) will receive a BHZ beer tap handle, a Craft Beer Cellar Gift card and beer glass.
The overall race winners will receive a custom BHZ Beer Tap Handle and a Marathon Sports Gift Certificate.
Age group winners get a Marathon Sports gift certificate. No finisher’s medal will be provided
The post race celebration includes two complimentary (age 21 and older) Bamboozled IPA craft beers and light food offering (TBD).
Registration is closed!
Registration is $30 and includes a long sleeved cotton t-shirt through January 15th. In addition to a great run and festive party, all 21+ runners will receive two complimentary Bamboozled craft ales.
Kids 19 and under can register for $18.00.
2 February 2020 – Noon – Sunday – Lowell, MA
Registration is $22 with no additional fees. Race Day registration is $25.00. Long Sleeve Black Shirt for Registered Runners by January 28, 2019.
Post race party features live music and plenty of liquid refreshments.
This race consistently draws about 350 runners for a pre-game run on Super Bowl Sunday.
Registration is not open!
2 February 2020 – 10:00 AM – Sunday – Cambridge, MA
Enjoy the 13th annual 5K/5M race, then pre-game for the Super Bowl with BearFight, DJ Phoenix, cold beer, and hot food from Miller’s Ale House at our giant race party!
Registration is not open!
I’ve run this race three times and it’s always a good time. 2017 Recap 2016 Recap
The race starts and ends on Athenaeum Street and the party is in front of the Genzyme building at 500 Kendall Street. I doesn’t get more Kendall Square than that!
It’s also always freezing cold! Because the race is so close to The Charles the wind whips off the river and down Athenaeum Street to the plaza at 500 Kendall.
Fortunately this race lets you choose from great winter running gloves on knit cap when you pick up your bib. There will also be a bag drop so you can bring warm clothes to change in to.
For $34.00 you can run the 5K or 5 Miler and have an awesome party after the race. No hidden registration fees!
Teams are encouraged. Get 10 of your friends or co-workers together and have a pop-up tent to gather in along with some after-race pizza from Za.
9 February 10:00 AM – Saturday – Wakefield, MA
As a Valentine’s Day themed race, this race encourages couples to run together!
Registration is not open.
Registration in Advance is $32 for Individuals and $52 for Couples.
Day of registration is $40 for Individuals and $65 for Couples.
Couples do not have to be in a relationship! Two friends, two teammates, two family members, heck a guy and his dog all qualify for the couples pricing!
This is a USATF sanctioned event. The race is a flat, fast course around Lake Quannapowitt. There will be a post race party with awards, food and beer!
100% of proceeds from the race will be donated to the National MS Society.
Awards to the top three male and female runners. No finisher’s medal will be provided.
My 2017 Cupid’s Chase 5K recap.
Snowshoe Classic at Brooksby Farm
February TBD at 10 AM – Peabody, MA – Cancelled?
Brought to you by the Peabody Parks and Rec Department, 2018 was the 8th season for this snow shoe race.
Registration and event information is currently not available.
16 February 9:00 AM – Saturday – Salisbury, MA
Based out of the Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury, this February 5K race also features an epic lip sync karaoke battle.
I’ve run this race three times, and a lot of people actually do karaoke! Some of them are actually pretty good!
Not something I’d get up and do, but it does look like fun!
The is an out and back race. Starting on Ocean Front Street and running out to the Salisbury State Beach Reservation. You make a turn in the park and head back for beer and pizza!
The road in the park has been in perfect condition when I’ve run the race.
Watch out for fire hydrants! People run in the street and on the sidewalk at the beginning of the race. If you are following someone and not paying attention you could have a nasty accident.
My advice is to run in the street early in the race. For safety sake!
This race is always a good time and is part of LOCO Running’s “Will Run for Beer” Series. Ipswich Ale is pouring and there will be plenty of food including hot pizza.
Registration is not open and is $34 through January 18th and then $39 through February 13th.
I’ve run this 5K road race three times. Here is my review from 2014.
Awards to the top three male and female finishers overall and age group winners. No finisher’s medal will be provided.
23 February 9:30 AM Saturday – Plymouth, MA
Now in it’s third year, this USATF sanctioned race draws over 200 runners.
The race begins and ends at Tavern on The Wharf and runs along the waterfront through historic Plymouth.
Registration is not open and fees were:
Adult $25.00 online / $30.00 on site
Students age 11-18 -$20.00 online / $25.00 on site
5K Children 10 & Under – $15.00 online / $20.00 on site
Race proceeds benefit the Hoyt Foundation Boston Marathon Charity Team.
Awards to the top three male and female finishers overall and age group winners. No finisher’s medal will be provided.
Has your spouse, girl friend or boy friend agreed to run a Valentine’s day race with you, shouldn’t you make sure they get a finisher’s medal? A My First 5K medal may not be a diamond ring, but they will always remember their first 5K race with you.
Make sure your first time runner gets a finisher’s medal at the end of their frosty February 5K with you.
Run well my Friends!
Andy
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If you google the name of a town and “Local 5K races” 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.
Over all, 258 runners finished the race and MRC had five runners. No PRs or medals to bring home but I think we all had a good time.
The race was based out of the DCR Blessing of the Bay Boathouse on Shore Drive in Somerville. Shore Drive is a neighborhood street that connects The Fellsway with Rt. 38. I drive by Shore Drive every day but have down the street only once or twice before.
2019 will be the 6th year for this popular Medford 5K race. 
Each year the Tufts University Graduate Student Council 5K Run/Walk becomes more and more popular. 
