Pittsfield Balloon Rally’s Frank H. Donovan 5K

About the race

For 2026, we have decided to remove the 10k race and will no longer name our longest race a Marathon. It will be called the Bear Brook Trail Ultramarathon going forward. We will continue to offer a Half Marathon distance which will be as accurate to 13.1 miles as we can get it. For the Ultra - We will be a little less upfront on the distance - it will likely change from year to year and will be anywhere from 50k to 100k.... We will release the course 1 month before the race date and the old phrase "“How many miles did your GPS get?" will still be in play.We are excited to once again share the absolute beauty of Bear Brook State park and all the trails it has to offer. From beautiful single track, to steep uphills, and of course, the magnificent blueberry fields, Bear Brook has so so much to offer no matter which of the race you choose. .Please note that this is a NO CUP race - we do not supply cups at the aid stations. None. You will need to supply your own water bottles/soft flasks, etc to re-fill along the course. We will not have anything for you to put water in at the aid stations. This is to keep all littering in the park to an absolute minimum and ensure that we can continue to work with the State in obtaining this permit. Please note we do not allow pets to run during the race with runners and crews/pacers are not allowed.

2026 Course

Continuing in 2026, The Bear Brook Trail Races will be a GPX only event. There will be minimal to no course markings. If you are not comfortable with this format, please do not sign up. Entrants will be required to download the course GPX and utilize that to navigate their way along the course. The GPX will be made available in advance of the Event and will be sent to all entrants. Please contact us directly if you have any questions. Thank you!

How to get there

157 Deerfield Road, Allenstown, NH

Look for the snowmobile lot, we will have race day signs at entrance. If you come in from route 28 it will be on the right (if you see the toll booth you went too far) , if you come in from the other side of the park it will be on your left (past the toll booth). You are looking for a dirt driveway going into a large dirt lot.

Cutoffs

There is no cutoff for half marathon races but there will be a cutoff for the Ultramarathon. Ultramarathon runners will receive cutoff details when the course is released.

Dropping Out

Dropping out:Runners not able to complete the race due to physical or mental circumstances must check-in solo or aided to the nearest aid station, notify aid station volunteers, and turn in their bib number to aid station personnel. This policy is to ensure that all runners are accounted for during the race and is for the safety of all participants. Runners failing to notify race organizers or volunteers of a dropped status or who fail to turn in their bib numbers will be banned from future races.

Where to stay

You can camp in the park, please book early to ensure a campsite. There are places to stay in Concord, NH which is about 20 minutes away from the race. Concord and Manchester are the closest major towns near the race start.

Refund Policy

It is our policy to offer a full refund (minus the fees charged by Ultrasignup) to a runner if they cancel their registration through Ultrasignup no later than 60 days prior to the date of the race. An email to the Race Director does not constitute a cancellation. Within 60 days, the fee is either forfeited or the runner may request a deferment of the registration fee up to and no later than the following year. Canceling within one week of the race forfeits all fees.

Event's current local time: 4:25 AM ET

Lace up your sneakers and grab your favorite two or four legged running partner for the annual Dirty Paws 5k!

Course begins at the Banks Humane Education Center at 95 Silk Farm Rd, Concord (across from the shelter), taking you to the grounds of St Paul’s School and back.

Dogs are welcome; must have a current rabies vaccination and be on leash at all times. Baby joggers welcome!

This Hooksett Kiwanis race is also co-sponsored by Merrimack County Savings Bank.

The trail race begins at Heads Pond trail at the intersection of Hooksett Rd. and Post Road in Hooksett. It proceeds along a hard packed stone dust surface, enters a wooded conservation trail and ends at the Hooksett Public Library.

Restrictions: For the safety of all runners, walkers and local traffic: Please no strollers of any kind and no dogs.

T-shirts will be provided to the first 100 registrations. Sign up now!

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: 7/1/2025 - 7/31/2025 all runners/walkers $20, Kid's Fun Run $5

Pre-Registration 8/1/2025 - 9/18/2025 all runners/walkers $30, Kid's Fun Run $5

LATE Registration/Race Day: all runners/walkers $35, Kid's Fun Run $5

T-shirt and Bib Pick Up:

T-shirts will be provided to the first 100 registrants. We will try to honor your size requests. You may register in person and pick up your T-shirt and bibs prior to the race on Friday, 9/19/25 from 4:00-6:00 PM and on race day Saturday, September 20 at the Hooksett Library front steps. There will be Port-O-Potties at the trail head. This year participants will be parking on one side of University Heights Road. Please observe the No PARKING signs and cones. Then there will be a short walk to the front of the Hooksett Library. A shuttle van will be available to take you and spectators from the Library to the Heads Pond Trail Head.

There will be a bin in a secure location for you to put your personal things in while you run the race at the Library. Then just remember to retrieve them after the race.

We will have a 50/50 raffle drawing at the award ceremony after the race. You can purchase tickets at the registration tables on Friday night and Saturday morning so remember to bring some money. They will sell for 3 for $5 or 10 for $10.

Kids for the Kid's Fun Run can register on-line or on Friday and Saturday. Once the main race starts on Saturday at 8:30, the registration will move up to the Library front steps. The children can register right up until 9:15 when the race starts in front of the Library. It is a half mile course.

All proceeds from this event will go to the Hooksett Kiwanis activities and events sponsored by them. These events include Manchester Central High School, Pinkerton Academy and Trinity High School Key Clubs, Hooksett Cawley and Manchester Hillside Middle School Builders Clubs, Hooksett Memorial K Kids, trail improvements in Hooksett, Kids' Kloset, Hooksett Community Food Pantry and other programs benefiting children. Hooksett Kiwanis Foundation is a 501c3 organization. Tax ID # 35-2219078.

Age Groups for Awards

Male and Female Age Groups for the Hooksett Kiwanis 5k trail race: 15 & Under, 16-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60+

For more information please go to: https://www.hooksettkiwanis.org/kiwanis-5k