Tag: 5k races

Cambridge Spring Classic 5K

30 April | 9:30 AM | Sunday – see you in 2024

This race takes place off of Mass Ave on Sidney Street.

This is a large race with a great post race party. Public transportation is a good idea, keys and kids are optional.

I’ve run this race several times and it is always a good time. It’s great to see the fast runners and hang out with friends, old and new, at the apre race party.

This is a flat course and over a mile of the race is down Mass Ave. Total elevation gain for this Cambridge 5K is 30 feet. Get 19 of your friends to form a team and get a VIP tent complete with cold beer. The tent comes with a table and they are close to the music and pouring stations. Plus they make a great place to stow your gear and hang out with your friends.

2023 registration was $43. Get the Season Pass for $140, run all four races and get a cool 1/4 zip fleece!

2022 Event Results

REI Co-Op 5K at Cambridge Crossing

? June | 9:30 AM | Sunday – This may have been a one and done

Starting and finishing at the REI Co-op store in Cambridge, this double loop 5K course explores the new Cambridge Crossing neighborhood as well as the waterfront along North Point Park.

2022 registration was $45 through day of race. All participants will receive a branded Nalgene bottle and a neck gaiter with registration.

This may have been a “one and done” as I have not seen any information for the 2023 race.

2022 race results

RACE Cancer Summer Series 2023

Since the American Legion Marsh Post #442 is such a great location for 5K races, the Race Cancer Foundation has relocated their Summer Series to this location.

2023 registration has opened

There are six races this year, each on a Thursday evening. Registration is $40 per race or $159 for a season pass. If you run all six, that’s getting two races for free!

If you work in Cambridge or Boston, these events make great after work races. Recruit some friends or get together an office or company team to enjoy the summer running season!

These after work events are a great way to relax with colleagues and build relationships.

Registration opens 30 minutes before the Women’s 5K (start times vary by date) Women’s 5K starts first – Open 5K starts ~35 minutes later May 27th 7:00/7:35, June 22 7:00/7:35 July 20 7:00/7:35 August 10 6:30/7:05, August 31 6:30/7:05, Sep 14 6:30 (Men’s only race) Races begin at 5 Greenough Blvd, Cambridge, MA

My First 5K medal, runners medal — Click to order!

A finisher’s medal is not offered for these races. If your company team has first time 5K runners make it a night they will never forget with a 5K medal! It’s a great way to build comradery on your team!

Cambridge Summer Classic 5K

13 July | 6:30 PM | Thursday

Part of the Cambridge Classic Series, this race was introduced in 2016. This race encourages teams and since it is on a Thursday night, it’s a great way to get together with friends and colleagues!

Registration is open. This has become a very popular race and always sells out. So get your friends together now. Get 19 friends and colleagues to join you for a beautiful evening run through Cambridge and as a team you will get:

Reserved tent and table in the post-race area
Cold beer waiting for your team after you finish
Pouring station near your tent
Prime spot to enjoy our post-race music

These races are all children and car-key optional. This is a great summer, after work race. Especially if you work in Cambridge! If your company team has first time 5K runners have a special awards ceremony at your tent with the My First 5K medal! They will be excited to receive a medal and everyone will have a great time!

Surprise your first time runner with a medal at the finish line! It’s a great way to build comradery on your team! 1770 runners finished this race in 2018 and 1,649 finished in 2022. It looks like this race is back! 2022 race results

Cambridge Fall Classic 5K

1 October | 9:30 AM | Sunday – 2023

Brought to you by the same folks who brought you the Cambridge Summer Classic.

This race takes place at the same location and runs the same course. This is another large Cambridge race with a fast, young crowd that runs hard and stays until the beer is gone. Kids and keys are optional. The Kendal/MIT station is a short walk from this event.

My First 5K Medal, company running events

If your company team has first time 5K runners have a special awards ceremony at your tent with the My First 5K medal! They will be excited to receive a medal and everyone will have a great time! Registration is $43

2020 race results

2121 race results

2022 race results

Paddy’s Cambridge Classic 5K

24 September | 10:00 AM | Sunday

This race benefits the girls of Cambridge by supporting the Cambridge Girls Softball League and other girls’ sports. These great organizations work on team building, athletic skills, and strengthen the connection among physical, mental and social well-being of girls.

Post-Race Block Party After the race there will a block party will be held outside Paddy’s until 7PM! Walden Street will be closed off to traffic and there will be a large beer garden and local food trucks.

Registration is: $35 through July 31st, then $40 through September 23rd and $45 for day of registration.

Cambridge Winter Classic 5K

3 December | 9:30 AM | Sunday

Registration is open!

The Winter Classic was live and in person on December 5th 2021 with 2268 runners. This is one of the very few races that I ran in 2021.

The last in the Cambridge Classic Series for 2022 and you don’t want to miss it. Bring some extra clothes and leave the kids and keys at home! The Kendal/MIT station is just a short walk from the party.

Teams of 20 get their own tent with their own beer and great location near the pouring station. Race Day registration was $45.00.

CAMBRIDGE CLASSIC 5KS SERIES MEDAL
Medals will be given to runners who have a recorded finish time for all 4 2022 Cambridge Classic 5Ks – Spring Classic (5/1/22), Summer Classic (7/14/22), Fall Classic (9/18/22) & Winter Classic (12/4/22).

Your bib will have an indication on it so you can claim a medal when you cross the finish line.

Medals will be given out after you receive post-race water, along the left hand side of the finish shoot, prior to getting to the after party area.

Please collect your medal after crossing the finish line. Medals will not be mailed after the race.

2020 Virtual Results

Spread the word about Somerville 5K races! Click To Tweet

Get a finisher’s medal for your first time Winter Classic 5K runner!

If your company team has first time 5K runners or you are trying to recruit non-runners to join your team the medal could be just what you are looking for. Who doesn’t love a medal and the bragging rights that go with it? You can have a special awards ceremony at your tent after the race! Click the photo to order.

Run well my Friends, and I look forward to seeing you in Cambridge!

Andy

Somerville 5K Race Directory 2023

Looking for a 5K in Somerville, MA? Look no further.

2023 Somerville 5K Race Directory

Updated April 30^th, 2023

The 2023 Somerville 5K Race Directory is still waiting for race dates for most races. Stay tuned for updates!

Davis Square is the most popular location for Somerville 5K race events. Assembly Row and the DCR Blessing of the Bay boat house on The Mystic River are also popular locations for 5K races in Somerville.

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. COVID-19 was tough on races and we lost a few Somerville 5Ks. But many have returned and the crowds seem to be returning also.

If you are managing a race that is not on this list, send your information to – [email protected]

Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle

21 May | Sunday | 9:00 AM

Mystic River Watershed Association, Somerville 5K

2023 is the 27th year for this unique 5K and paddling event.

Complete both races and you are eligible for the “Iron Herring Award”.

2023 registration is: $25 for the 5K or any distance paddle. Register to run and paddle for $40. For race day individual event registration add $5.00

The Mystic is a great river to paddle on as there is very little powerboat traffic.

The race is a fundraiser for the Mystic River Watershed Association.

The paddle event takes place at the DCR Blessing of the Bay Boathouse in Somerville.

2022 Photos – 5K and Paddle

Harpoon Dogtoberfest

2 October | 2023 – in Boston

This 5K moved to Boston in 2022 and Harpoon became the marque sponsor.

The plan is to hold the race in Boston in 2023, so I will be removing this race from this post soon.

You can click the race title for race information.

The event is a fundraiser for the MSPCA and Angell Memorial. 2021 was the sixth year for this Somerville 5K and their second virtual race.

Race to the Row

August 2023? | 9:00 AM – no details yet

This is still listed on the SRR web site, but I cannot find any recent information.

Now that Assembly Square is mostly built out, it may no longer be possible to hold a 5K race at this location. Mile was $20 or $25 day of.

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.

2019 5K Results

Rás na hÉireann

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

2023 registration was $42.00

After a few years off due to construction and COVID-19, The Ras is back for 2023!

In 2018 this race had 1,340 finishers. Based in Davis Square the Rás na hÉireann was 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

* October | 9:00 AM | Saturday – no info for 2023

In 2021 the race returned to Davis Square with 450 runners. And in 2022 there were about 375 runners.

This race used to draw around 1,000 runners and is trying to build back after COVID-19.

I ran the race a few years ago and in 2022. Both times it was well organized and everyone seemed to have fun. I’m not sure why participation declined this year.

As always, they had plenty of food for everyone and the kids had a great time feasting on all of the good stuff donated by the races sponsors.

Registration for 2022 was $30. And if you raise $250 and your registration was FREE.

I would recommend this race for the kids.

2023 registration is not open yet.

Somerville Jingle Bell Run

* December | 11:00 AM | Sunday

This race always draws a large, festive crowd. And you never know who you will meet.

Believe it or not, there is plenty of free parking in Somerville for this event.

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 2019 over 1,400 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.

2022 Race Results and Photos

On-line registration is closed

2019 Race Results

My 2017 Race RECAP

Jack’s Abbey sponsors the post race party at 8 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.

Athletic Brewing was also a sponsor last year. I enjoyed the guilty pleasure of walking down the street drinking what tasted like one of the finest IPAs you’ll ever drink!

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, finisher’s medal and jingle bells.

Run Well my Friends and support your local races!

Andy

Medford 5K Race Directory 2023

The source for 5K races in Medford, MA!

Updated April 30^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

* March | 8:00 AM | Sunday | see you in 2024?

This race has been cancelled the past few years. COVID may have knocked this race out for good.

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

* April | 9:00 AM | See you in 2024

The Tufts University Graduate Student Council cancelled this 5K in 2020 and it looks like it was never re-established.

If you have any information regarding this race please contact me.

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

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

The Kiwanis SUPER HERO 5K was a new race for Medford in 2019 but was then cancelled due to COVID-19. So far it has not made a come back.

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.

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 Med ford 5 Mile and 2 Mile

22 – 23 September | 1:00 PM | Sunday – 2023

Medford City Hall

Run Medford returns this September!

Friday 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.

Saturday at 1:00 PM the 5 mile run and 2 mile walk begin. Starting and finishing at Medford City Hall, the 5-mile race and 2-mile walk are scenic tours through the heart of the city.

Registration is open at:

5 Mile Race: $45

2 Mile Walk: $25

Kids Fun Run: $5

Para Athlete Mile & High School Mile: $10

Celebrity Mile: Invite Only

Finisher’s medal and t-shirt for all runners. 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.

Housing Families 5K

12 November | 10:00 AM | Saturday

2023 registration is not open yet

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

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.

Medford 5K Race Directory

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.

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.

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.

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.