Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K
- Date Sun 8th November 2026
- Time 11:00AM EST
- Location Monson, Massachusetts
- Price $32.80 - $69.90
- Races 2 races
- Distances Half Marathon, 5km
Event summary
Join us for the exhilarating Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon and 5K on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in the charming town of Monson, Hampden. This annual road race, established in 1996 to honor the memories of Kelly Waldron and Kathy Waldron Perry, invites runners of all levels to participate in a meaningful event that supports a great cause.
The Half Marathon kicks off at 12:00 PM, with check-in starting at 11:00 AM, while the 5K race begins shortly after at 12:15 PM. Both races promise a vibrant atmosphere, complete with a post-race party featuring live music and delicious food, making it a perfect day for friends and family. Runners will receive long sleeve tech shirts and finisher medals, with prize money up for grabs. Plus, this year, proceeds will benefit Griffin's Friends, a nonprofit committed to supporting children battling cancer. Don’t forget to bring canned goods for the Open Pantry as part of our community effort. Lace up your running shoes and be part of this memorable day that blends athleticism with heartfelt giving!
The Half Marathon kicks off at 12:00 PM, with check-in starting at 11:00 AM, while the 5K race begins shortly after at 12:15 PM. Both races promise a vibrant atmosphere, complete with a post-race party featuring live music and delicious food, making it a perfect day for friends and family. Runners will receive long sleeve tech shirts and finisher medals, with prize money up for grabs. Plus, this year, proceeds will benefit Griffin's Friends, a nonprofit committed to supporting children battling cancer. Don’t forget to bring canned goods for the Open Pantry as part of our community effort. Lace up your running shoes and be part of this memorable day that blends athleticism with heartfelt giving!
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 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 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 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 (11:00AM EST)
$69.90
OPENS 13 JUNRace 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 (11:15AM EST)
$32.80
OPENS 13 JUNRace 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
