2026 Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle

The funnest race all year happens Sunday April 12, 2026 at Brookline High where we will have a 5K, 1K, and Kid Fun Runs!

Join us for a spring morning of running, playing, and celebrating Brookline. Whether you’re chasing a PR, running your first race, or cheering on little runners, this event is designed to be fun, welcoming, and well run.

The day includes a chip timed 5K, a youth 1K, and short distance fun runs for kids on grass at Brookline High School, plus a kids activity zone, vendors, and community partners. This race is in rain or shine.

Race Details

Location: Start and finish will be at Brookline High School

Activity Zone: On the field on Cypress Street we will have a variety of games and activities to keep the day fun. We will move the fun indoors in the event of rain.

Kids Fun Runs: For ages 8 and younger we will have age based races on the grass field at Brookline High

Course Description

We will have a 5K route and a shorter 1K route. Each race will start on Davis Street at Brookline High School. Runners will turn onto Cypress Street and then turn left onto Harvard Ave. At TJ Maxx runners will turnaround to head back down Harvard to the finish line on Davis Street.

(All images by Frances Ramirez/@franipac) The 26.TRUE Marathon & Half Marathon are specifically designed to amplify and celebrate the culture and diversity that make up the City of Boston. The route takes runners right through the heart of the city so that they can feel the pulse. It highlights neighborhoods and uplifts communities that are often overlooked during the Boston marathon weekend. We invite you to join us as we come together in defiance of history’s divisions, to embrace old spaces in new ways, and to run a half and full marathon that is so much more than just a race. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP! CLICK HERE FOR HALF & FULL TRAINING PLANS Year 6 The iron anniversary. A time to reflect on strength and resilience. 26.TRUE has taken on new meaning each and every time we have come together to run it over the past 5 years. Last year we organized the first-ever full marathon that has been run entirely within Boston's city limits. This year we are leaning into that

evolution as we host the only half marathon currently run entirely within Boston's city limits. We are excited to have you join us in April to keep pushing forward as we continue to run... Our City. Our Way. CLICK HERE FOR STRAVA ROUTE MAP Complete once for half marathon Complete twice for full marathon THE ROUTE We're running it back with the same route from last year. A 13.1 mile loop that will take runners through Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, and into Mattapan. One loop for the half marathon, two loops for the full. Runners start in Malcolm X Park and quickly enter Franklin Park, the city's largest green space, before exiting into Jamaica Plain. Runners will travel along the beautiful SW Corridor Park until Roxbury Crossing where they will pass the storied Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center and continue into historic Nubian Square. Warren St will connect the route to Blue Hill Avenue and a loop around Harambee Park will take runners right by Dorchester Center. The southern tip

of the course takes a quick dip into Mattapan before returning to Franklin Park and back to the start/finish line. 26.TRUE Marathon is an open-course route without road closures and although we will have course marshals, cheer zones, and hydration stations along the course, runners will be required to run at their own risk RUNNER REGISTRATION INCLUDES Entry to our Marathon or Half Marathon with a one-of-a-kind route through the heart of The City of Boston A training plan designed by local certified run coaches (Beginner and Intermediate levels) - COMING SOON! A 26.TRUE Souvenir Bib A 26.TRUE Custom Marathon/Half Marathon Finisher's Medal A 26.TRUE Custom Marathon/Half Marathon Finisher's Jacket A Swag Bag with Collectibles from our Sponsors One Meal Ticket One Drink Ticket "This is the real Boston Marathon." - Mayor Michelle Wu SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! Please reach out to us at 26.true@pioneersrc.com. We would love to explore ways that you can support the event! If you

don't already, be sure to follow PIONEERS Run Crew (@pioneersrc) & 26.TRUE (@26.trueMarathon) on Instagram! Pending the license approvals from the City of Boston

WE ARE STARTING EARLY. HOPEFULLY YOU'LL HELP US GROW!

This is a FREE Sunday morning shakeout run, starting and finishing from where your busses will load for the trip up to Hopkinton High School the next day.

As it is the morning before the race our journey will be short: just 2.25 miles to the Tommy Leonard Bridge on Mass Ave (the 1K to go underpass) and back. If you care to go further from the start to the Citgo Sign and back would be about 5K.

REGISTER EARLY and you'll receive a THIS IS MY 2026 runBUCKS CrackedBell HOPKINTON to BOSTON THROW AWAY T-SHIRT so that you'll have a shirt to throw away before the race starts!

START:

BOSTON COMMON:

16 Charles St, Boston, MA 02108