Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K
- Date Sun 26th October 2025
- Time 12:00PM EDT
- Location Monson, Massachusetts
- Price $38.10 - $75.20
- Races 2 races
- Distances Half Marathon, 5km
Event summary
Join us for the exhilarating Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon and 5K on Sunday, October 26, 2025, in the charming town of Monson, Hampden. This beloved annual event, which began in 1996, honors the memories of sisters Kelly Waldron and Kathy Waldron Perry, who bravely battled cancer. Participants can choose between two exciting race distances: the challenging Half Marathon starting at 12:00 PM and the spirited 5K kicking off at 12:15 PM. Not only will you be racing through scenic routes, but you'll also be supporting a great cause, as proceeds benefit Griffin's Friends, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children with cancer and their families.
Race day promises a fantastic atmosphere with a post-race party featuring live entertainment, delicious food, and even massages to celebrate your achievement. With chip timing, finisher medals for all Half Marathon runners, and special tech shirts for early registrants, this event is designed to create lasting memories. Plus, don’t forget to bring canned goods to donate to the Open Pantry! Get ready to lace up your shoes and make a difference while enjoying a day of fitness and community spirit at the Monson Memorial Classic!
Race day promises a fantastic atmosphere with a post-race party featuring live entertainment, delicious food, and even massages to celebrate your achievement. With chip timing, finisher medals for all Half Marathon runners, and special tech shirts for early registrants, this event is designed to create lasting memories. Plus, don’t forget to bring canned goods to donate to the Open Pantry! Get ready to lace up your shoes and make a difference while enjoying a day of fitness and community spirit at the Monson Memorial Classic!
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 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
* HALF MARATHON RACE STARTS AT 12:00 P.M.
* 5K check in 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
* 5K RACE STARTS AT 12:15 P.M.
RUNNER AMENITIES (AKA A FEW OF THE REASONS OUR RACE ROCKS!):
* Post race party featuring live entertainment, great food, and massage
* 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 for the first 200 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 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
* HALF MARATHON RACE STARTS AT 12:00 P.M.
* 5K check in 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
* 5K RACE STARTS AT 12:15 P.M.
RUNNER AMENITIES (AKA A FEW OF THE REASONS OUR RACE ROCKS!):
* Post race party featuring live entertainment, great food, and massage
* 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 for the first 200 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. $5.20 Fee & Long Sleeve Tech Shirts for Half Marathon
Sun 26th October 2025 (12:00PM EDT)
$75.20
Race day registration for the half marathon will be $75 so please pre-register to save time and money. -
Monson Memorial Classic 5K
Incl. $3.10 Fee & Short Sleeve T-Shirts for 5K
Sun 26th October 2025 (12:15PM EDT)
$38.10
Race day registration for the 5K will be $40 so please pre-register to save time and money.
Participate in Running Research
Receive 2 FREE months of run training from our friends at RunDot
The RunDot Project is a research initiative that helps RunDot quantify and enhance the performance gains that RunDot's Optimized Training delivers over training alternatives.
Reviews
Done this event?
First-hand event reviews from people who have been there, done that and got the breathable T-shirt, really help everyone choose their next event.
Add a review
Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K
