Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K
- Date Sun 8th November 2026
- Time 12:00PM EST
- Location Monson, Massachusetts
- Price $32.80 - $69.90
- Races 2 races
- Distances Half Marathon, 5km
Event summary
Join us for the Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K on Sunday, November 8th, 2026, in the beautiful town of Monson, Hampden! This heartwarming event, which began in 1996 as a tribute to the beloved Waldron sisters who lost their battles with cancer, continues to honor their memory while raising crucial funds for charitable organizations. This year, proceeds will support Griffin's Friends, a nonprofit dedicated to providing assistance to children affected by cancer and their families.
Participants can choose between two exciting race distances: the challenging Half Marathon, starting at 12:00 PM, and the spirited 5K, kicking off at 11:15 AM. Both races promise an exhilarating atmosphere, complete with a post-race party featuring live music and delicious food! Runners will enjoy amenities such as chip timing, finisher medals for Half Marathon finishers, and exclusive long-sleeve tech shirts for early registrants. Don’t forget to bring canned goods to support the Open Pantry! Whether you're a seasoned runner or a first-timer, the Monson Memorial Classic is an event you won't want to miss!
Participants can choose between two exciting race distances: the challenging Half Marathon, starting at 12:00 PM, and the spirited 5K, kicking off at 11:15 AM. Both races promise an exhilarating atmosphere, complete with a post-race party featuring live music and delicious food! Runners will enjoy amenities such as chip timing, finisher medals for Half Marathon finishers, and exclusive long-sleeve tech shirts for early registrants. Don’t forget to bring canned goods to support the Open Pantry! Whether you're a seasoned runner or a first-timer, the Monson Memorial Classic is an event you won't want to miss!
Organiser's Description
MONSON MEMORIAL CLASSIC HALF MARATHON AND 5K
The Monson Memorial Classic road race was started in 1996, shortly after the deaths of Kelly Waldron and Kathy Waldron Perry. These sisters died eight months apart from different types of cancer. Kathy suffered with melanoma, and Kelly had breast, bone, and liver cancer. They were wonderful, loving people. This race is in their memory, and past proceeds have gone to American Cancer Association of Western Mass, American Lung Association, Quaboag Valley Hospice, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year we are giving proceeds to Griffin's Friends.
Griffin's Friends was founded in 1994 in Springfield, MA and named in honor of Griffin Kelleher, who lost his courageous battle with cancer at 14 months of age. Griffin's Friends is a nonprofit group that provides support to children who are stricken with cancer, and their families. To learn more, visit www.griffinsfriends.com [https://www.griffinsfriends.com]
ON RACE DAY, PLEASE BRING CANNED GOODS TO DONATE TO OPEN PANTRY. WE WILL HAVE A COLLECTION AREA AT THE RACE.
RACE TIMING SERVICES PROVIDED BY FAST TRACK TIMING [https://www.fasttracktiming.com/]
RACE DAY SCHEDULE:
* Half Marathon check in 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
* HALF MARATHON RACE STARTS AT 12:00 PM.
* 5K check in 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
* 5K RACE STARTS AT 11:15 P.M.
RUNNER AMENITIES (AKA A FEW OF THE REASONS OUR RACE ROCKS!):
* Post race party featuring live music and the best food ever!
* Prize money $$$
* Chip timing
* Long sleeve tech shirts for the first 200 to register for the half marathon by OCTOBER 20TH
* Finisher medals to all HALF MARATHON finishers
* T-shirts to the first 100 to register for the 5K by OCTOBER 20TH
* USATF Half Marathon course # MA15024JK - this means your PR is a true PR!
* Half Marathon course maps: COURSE MAP WITH ELEVATION [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PwxqcLVcvxijzo8n-RCiz_y4ajLAdg_O/view?usp=sharing] | SIMPLE COURSE MAP [https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=en&ie=UTF8&om=1&msa=0&ll=42.06914550388422%2C-72.27737875103762&spn=0.03822%2C0.063515&source=embed&mid=1NUhtDceFx23MQJjAJpHRZUUVrHE&z=13]
* 5K COURSE MAP WITH ELEVATION [https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4134554]
USATF SANCTION/CERTIFICATE # 202310181009411
The Monson Memorial Classic road race was started in 1996, shortly after the deaths of Kelly Waldron and Kathy Waldron Perry. These sisters died eight months apart from different types of cancer. Kathy suffered with melanoma, and Kelly had breast, bone, and liver cancer. They were wonderful, loving people. This race is in their memory, and past proceeds have gone to American Cancer Association of Western Mass, American Lung Association, Quaboag Valley Hospice, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year we are giving proceeds to Griffin's Friends.
Griffin's Friends was founded in 1994 in Springfield, MA and named in honor of Griffin Kelleher, who lost his courageous battle with cancer at 14 months of age. Griffin's Friends is a nonprofit group that provides support to children who are stricken with cancer, and their families. To learn more, visit www.griffinsfriends.com [https://www.griffinsfriends.com]
ON RACE DAY, PLEASE BRING CANNED GOODS TO DONATE TO OPEN PANTRY. WE WILL HAVE A COLLECTION AREA AT THE RACE.
RACE TIMING SERVICES PROVIDED BY FAST TRACK TIMING [https://www.fasttracktiming.com/]
RACE DAY SCHEDULE:
* Half Marathon check in 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
* HALF MARATHON RACE STARTS AT 12:00 PM.
* 5K check in 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
* 5K RACE STARTS AT 11:15 P.M.
RUNNER AMENITIES (AKA A FEW OF THE REASONS OUR RACE ROCKS!):
* Post race party featuring live music and the best food ever!
* Prize money $$$
* Chip timing
* Long sleeve tech shirts for the first 200 to register for the half marathon by OCTOBER 20TH
* Finisher medals to all HALF MARATHON finishers
* T-shirts to the first 100 to register for the 5K by OCTOBER 20TH
* USATF Half Marathon course # MA15024JK - this means your PR is a true PR!
* Half Marathon course maps: COURSE MAP WITH ELEVATION [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PwxqcLVcvxijzo8n-RCiz_y4ajLAdg_O/view?usp=sharing] | SIMPLE COURSE MAP [https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=en&ie=UTF8&om=1&msa=0&ll=42.06914550388422%2C-72.27737875103762&spn=0.03822%2C0.063515&source=embed&mid=1NUhtDceFx23MQJjAJpHRZUUVrHE&z=13]
* 5K COURSE MAP WITH ELEVATION [https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4134554]
USATF SANCTION/CERTIFICATE # 202310181009411
Races
-
Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon
Incl. $4.90 Fee & Long Sleeve Tech Shirts for Half Marathon
Sun 8th November 2026 (12:00PM EST)
$69.90
Race day registration for the half marathon will be $75 so please pre-register to save time and money. -
Monson Memorial Classic 5K
Incl. $2.80 Fee & Short Sleeve T-Shirts for 5K
Sun 8th November 2026 (12:15PM EST)
$32.80
Race day registration for the 5K will be $40 so please pre-register to save time and money.
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177 Main Street, Monson, 01057, MA, United States
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Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K
