West Acton 5K & Fun Run supporting ABC Compass

Welcome to the 22nd Annual Appleman Triathlon

The beach front transition area, challenging and scenic race course, crowds of spectators and maple syrup prizes have made this race a New England favorite for many years. All racers receive a high performance athlete t-shirt as well as a memorable dated finisher's medal.

The Appleman Triathlon is now managed and timed by the top-notch team at New England Timing.

All race options sells out quickly, so register early if you want to call yourself an Appleman this year.

NOTE TO RELAY TEAMS: ONLY ONE TEAM MEMBER NEEDS TO REGISTER, PAY, AND CREATE A TEAM FOR THE RELAY.

OTHER RELAY TEAM MEMBERS WILL THEN NEED TO ADD THEMSELVES TO THE TEAM BY SELECTING THE RELAY SIGN UP OPTION, BUT THEN CHOOSE "JOIN AN EXISTING RELAY TEAM" AND COMPLETE THEIR REGISTRATION! ADDITIONAL RELAY TEAM MEMBERS WILL ONLY PAY FOR A USAT LICENSE.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL RELAY TEAM MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE A T-SHIRT AND ARE WELCOME TO RUN THROUGH THE FINISH ARCH AS A TEAM AND COLLECT MEDALS. MAPLE SYRUP PRIZES ARE AWARDED TO ALL MEMBERS OF WINNING RELAY TEAMS.

PACKET PICK UP

Saturday, July 18th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Littleton Town Beach.

Sunday, July 19th from 6:15 AM to 7:45 AM at the race venue, Littleton Town Beach

Athlete parking will be at the Shaker Lane Elementary School, 35 Shaker Lane, Littleton, MA.

Please do not try to park on any of the side streets near the beach.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

Please note the race will be held rain or shine, but if the weather or other unforeseen circumstances threaten the safety of athletes, race management reserves the right to cancel the event or alter portions of the swim, bike, and/or run courses.

Please understand that in the unlikely case that we did have to cancel the event, no refunds would be issued, however, a partial credit would be offered to next year’s race; further details will be communicated post-race.

SCHEDULE OF RACE DAY

• Transition zone will open at 6:15 AM and close at 7:45 AM

• Race day registration from 6:15 AM to 7:45 AM

• Transition zone will be re-opened around 9:30 AM

• Awards presentation will begin at approximately 10 AM. Please be present for your award or have someone pick it up for you as we

cannot mail out.

• Pre-Race Meeting is at 7:45 AM at the swim start on the beach

THE RACE COURSE

Swim

The GPS measured swim takes place in placid Long Pond and is a .50 mile triangular course. There will be a time trial start. Swim angels are available for athletes who would like an experienced swimmer to accompany them on the swim. First come, first serve basis.

Bike

The 10 mile bike course is a single loop through Littleton with some hills in the park area that are sure to raise your heart rate a beat or two.

Run

The on and off-road run course is well-marked and marshaled and one of the most interesting run routes of any sprint triathlon with an off-road section that keeps you focused and gives you great material for your post-race stories. The run finishes along the beach with cheering spectators fueling the athletes along the final stretch. Then it’s under the giant New England Timing finish arch and on to the post-race festivities.

Triathlon

The triathlon will have a time trial swim start.. Your race time will start when you cross over the Swim Start mats on the beach.

Duathlon

The duathlon will start approximately at the same time as the first swimmers enter the water. The start will be at the Run-Out portion of transition with your race time starting when you cross over the Run-Out timing mat.

Aqua-Bike

The swim will be part of the regular swim and they will not have a special start. Your race will finish when you cross the BIKE-IN mats. If you wish, Aqua-bikers are welcome to cross the finish and receive your medal. Please return your timing chip to one of the volunteers in the transition area.

RACE VENUE ACTIVITIES

Come to race but stay for the fun! Your triathlon experience includes a DJ playing great music and yummy post-race treats. This is a family-friendly race venue with a playground on the beach.

USAT SANCTIONED

Results will count toward national and regional rankings. All USAT rules and regulations will apply. Racers are subject to time penalties or disqualification for infractions of USAT rules.

MASSACHUSETTS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

This is a 2026 USA Triathlon State Championships Ranking Point Event. Residents of Massachusetts can earn points which — combined with results in other qualifying races — will be totaled by USA Triathlon at the end of 2026. Note: you must participate in at least three qualifying races to be eligible for State Champion.

APPLEMAN BIKE COURSE

APPLEMAN RUN COURSE

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

Race for the Refuge

The Highland City Striders welcome you to explore the trails at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, MA! The Race for the Refuge begins at the ARNWR Visitor’s Center and traverses the beautiful trails around the Refuge. The course will lead runners into this idyllic nature refuge, past ponds, through pine and oak forests, and alongside mysterious military bunkers.

Course Description

The double track trails are hard-packed earth and gravel. It’s a great course for beginner trail runners. For the advanced trail runner, it could be an opportunity for a new PR!

Events

The lineup features a 10K (1 loop) and 30K (3 loops) races, and a 6-hour timed event.

For the timed courses, runners may do as many loops as desired. A loop must be completed by 3pm to be counted towards final mileage. Ranking of runners is determined by the runner who completes the most loops in the shortest period of time. Runners in the 6-hour race must start their last lap by 2pm.

The top male, female, and nonbinary runner from each of the events (10k, 30k, 3-hour, and 6-hour) will receive a prize. The largest team will also be celebrated, so please encourage friends and fellow club members to join you!

Race Day Rules

Dogs are not permitted on Refuge lands, so please leave your pooch at home. This event is family-friendly but children must be supervised.

Tread lightly through the refuge and please leave no trace! This will be a cupless race to eliminate waste on the course. Any fuel, such as gel packets, should be carried in and packed out. Due to the delicate ecosystem any littering is grounds for immediate disqualification. All runners must stay on the marked course.

Thanks for keeping our wild spaces wild!

Aid Stations and Course Marking

There will be two aid stations with typical trail race fare including water, hydration, hydration mix, pretzels, orange slices, banana halves, Swedish fish, coke, and ginger ale. The main aid station will be at the Start/Finish line. A second aid station at Taylor Road is about halfway through the loop. Note this is a cupless race.

All runners will receive swab with registration and prizes will be awarded to top winners in each category.

The course will be well marked for the runners with two course marshals at key turns.

Pacers

Pacers are allowed to assist runners in the 6-hour race only. They may start at noon or later and must complete an online or paper registration form. Upon arrival at the race, the pacer will check in at the race director table and receive a pacer bib. One pacer at a time per runner and no muling is allowed. Pacers can use the aid stations at no cost and there is no registration fee to pace a runner.

Cancelation and Refunds

There are no deferrals and no refunds. Your entry fee will be considered a charitable donation and used for nature education and trail improvements. Thank you for your support.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the race, but if you are unable to join us, please cancel using RunSignUp or contact the race directors via email so that we can give someone from the waitlist the opportunity to run. Thank you!

About the Refuge

Centuries ago, these lands were hunted and fished by Nipmuc Tribes. Later, they were farmed by colonists, intersected by a railroad, and used for military training. You will run past military bunkers that were in use when the area was known as the Sudbury Training Annex, which was part of Fort Devens. The US Army transferred the land to the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2000, establishing the Refuge.

Since then, the Refuge has become home to freshwater wetlands, oak and pine forest, and shrubland that support many types of wildlife, including wading birds, songbirds, raptors, beaver, bobcat, white-tailed deer, and various reptiles and amphibians.

Proceeds from this race will help fund improvements to three refuge sites in MA and a volunteer coordinator who will assist visitors to the refuge with nature education and programming.

Post-Race Festivities

Details to come.

Presented by the Highland City Striders

We are runners in Hudson, Marlborough, and surrounding communities. Founded in 2002, our members meet several times weekly to run various distances for fun and to keep in shape! We run, recover, have fun, and laugh together. The Highland City Striders is a non-profit 501(C)3. All race profits will go to local charities.

We are also working closely with Friends of Woodlands and Waters, a non-profit working in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support our refuges. Check out their site to learn more and get involved!

HOUSE RABBIT NETWORK 5000

100% OF RACE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO HRN TO SUPPORT THE BUNS!

This day is all about raising funds and awareness for the House Rabbit Network

The House Rabbit Network is a 501c3 organization in the greater Boston area formed in 2000 with two primary purposes: to rescue homeless rabbits and find them good indoor homes, and to educate the public about rabbits and their care. These activities may include:

• ​Providing foster care for discarded domestic rabbits and arranging for adoption to permanent, indoor homes

• Assisting humane societies and shelters with rabbits

• Providing spay/neuter surgery and veterinary care through arrangements with area practitioners

• Rehabilitating and socializing mistreated or neglected rabbits

• Permanently caring for animals who cannot be placed in adoptive homes due to serious health or behavioral problems

• Educating the public on responsible pet ownership and humane practices

PRE AND POST RACE FESTIVITIES HOSTED BY CRAFT FOOD HALLS!

ONE FREE DRINK SPONSORED BY WACHUSETT BREWING INCLUDED IN EACH 5K ENTRY!

A GREAT VENUE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL FALL SATURDAY!

We LOVE all animals and well-mannered dogs (on leash at all times) are welcomed to participate in the race, but they must start in the back behind the runners. The same goes for those running/walking with baby strollers as well. Craft Food Hall also allows dogs to be on premise, but ONLY in the patio seating area.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3RD, 2026 - 9:30AM

Craft Food Hall BXB 500 Beaver Brook Rd, Boxboro, MA 01719

*Ample Parking Available At Craft Food Hall Parking Areas HERE

HONORARY GUEST: ????!

ONLINE REGISTRATION TIMELINE:

Early Registration Discount Period Opens - April 20th to July 31st ($25)

In-Person 5K 1st Price Increase - Aug 1st to Aug 31st ($30)

In-Person 5K 2nd Price Increase - Sept 1st to Oct 2nd ($35)

In-Person 5K Price Increase on Race Day - October 3rd ($40)

EARLY PACKET-PICKUP:

Friday October 2nd from 5PM to 7PM

MARATHON SPORTS WESTFORD

OCTOBER 3RD EVENT SCHEDULE:

Parking & 5K Check-in Opens - 8:15AM

5K Registration Closes - 9:20AM

5K Run/Walk Starts - 9:30AM

Family Fun Run Starts - 10:30AM

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!

If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, volunteer!

HRN wouldn't be able to function without the generous volunteers who give their time and effort every day. The same is true for this race. If you would like to volunteer, and also receive a free, spiffy HRN 5K giveaway, then use the VOLUNTEER link at the top or here.

CALL FOR SPONSORS!

As a non-profit race we rely on our generous sponsors to help offset the expenses of putting on the event. See the impressive, and growing, list above! The more sponsors we have, the more race proceeds that will go directly to assisting the buns! If you or a business you know would like to sponsor or donate their services to this event, then please reach out to us immediately!

ALL EVENTS PROFESSIONALLY CHIP-TIMED BY NEW ENGLAND TIMING

• Live tracking and finish results on-site and posted HERE

• Live mile-by-mile splits will be provided at each mile of the 5K

• Instant email notification of your results upon finishing

TIMED EVENTS:

• 5K Run or Walk

5K SCORING BRACKETS & PRIZE STRUCTURE:

• TOP 3 MALE/FEMALE

• Scoring Age Groups (TOP 1 M/F)

• 17&U

• 18-29

• 30-39

• 40-49

• 50-59

• 60-69

• 70+

COURSE RECORDS:

MALE - GABE MILLER - 2024 - 16:25

FEMALE - LINDSAY WILLARD - 2024 - 21:41

5K TEAM COMPETITION:

Running is always more fun with friends and family! Don't forget to CREATE or JOIN a team if you want to take part in the team competition! We'll have a nice surprise for the largest AND fastest teams!