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 vibrant Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in the picturesque town of Monson, Hampden. This heartwarming event honors the memories of Kelly Waldron and Kathy Waldron Perry, two sisters who bravely battled cancer. Participants can choose between a challenging half marathon or a fun 5K, with the half marathon scheduled to start at 11:00 AM and the 5K kicking off shortly after at 11:15 AM.
This annual race not only promotes fitness and community spirit but also supports a great cause. Proceeds from this year's event will benefit Griffin's Friends, a nonprofit organization that provides vital support to children affected by cancer and their families. Runners can enjoy a post-race celebration complete with live music and delicious food, along with exciting amenities like finisher medals, long sleeve tech shirts for early registrants, and chip timing for accurate results. Don’t forget to bring canned goods for donation to Open Pantry, making this event a true celebration of community and compassion. Sign up now and be part of a memorable day filled with purpose and positivity!
This annual race not only promotes fitness and community spirit but also supports a great cause. Proceeds from this year's event will benefit Griffin's Friends, a nonprofit organization that provides vital support to children affected by cancer and their families. Runners can enjoy a post-race celebration complete with live music and delicious food, along with exciting amenities like finisher medals, long sleeve tech shirts for early registrants, and chip timing for accurate results. Don’t forget to bring canned goods for donation to Open Pantry, making this event a true celebration of community and compassion. Sign up now and be part of a memorable day filled with purpose and positivity!
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 11:00 AM.
* 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 11:00 AM.
* 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 (11:00AM 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 (11:15AM 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
