2026 Greater Beverly YMCA Fly 5k Road Race

Who We Are: Healthy Kids Running Series is a five (5) week running program in the spring and fall for kids Pre-K through 8th grade. Each HKRS Series takes place once a week and offers age-appropriate running events including the 50 & 75 yard dashes, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the 1 mile run. Kids will earn points for each race they complete based on their finish.

Pricing: The registration fee covers the entire five (5) weeks of the Series which includes race bibs for each week, a runner shirt, a finisher medal and any sponsor giveaways. Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable. Online Early Bird registration increases three weeks prior to the first race event.

Challenger: This Series offers a Challenger Division which is an adaptive 75 yard race for children with disabilities and/or special needs. This allows for parents, siblings, and friends to be on the course with runners to provide support as well as bringing their own supportive devices such as crutches, braces, wheelchairs, etc. to be used by runners.

Single Day Racing: Single day race registration opens one hour prior to the start of each race. The registration fee covers one single race to be run on the day of registration. ALL single day registrations should be completed onsite at the race location. Single day racers will have the option to upgrade to the full series (see tab on the left side of the page for instructions). There is a strict no-refund and no-transfer policy.

Awards: All participants receive a medal on Week 5! Trophies will be awarded to the overall top finishers in each of the divisions listed below (broken out by boys and girls respectively):

Pre-K 50 Yard Dash

Pre-K 75 Yard Dash

Kindergarten & 1st Grade

2nd & 3rd Grade

4th & 5th Grade

6th to 8th Grade

Challenger

Share your running photos with our community! Find us on Facebook @HealthyKidsRunning or Instagram @healthykidsrs!

#GetUpandGo

The Theodore Star

Theodore has been honored in the sky with a special star named after him: The Theodore Star.

We lost our little boy / Vanessa’s little brother - Theodore - in 2021 about a month after he turned 2 years old. He was born without any kidneys, but nevertheless was born a medical miracle - and flourished quite marvelously for 2 years despite not having the typical blueprint that was compatible with life. While he did have some challenges given his medically complex situation, nevertheless -this little boy, like all children, filled our life with love and laughter. He was our little hero. During the last month of his life, he unfortunately became critically ill and his condition/situation wasn't understood nor able to be medically solved…

To fill this gaping hole in our heart and lives…we have sought lots of helpful outlets. One of which is why we decided to start this memorial race in his honor. He, and we, loved our stroller walks through our neighborhood, so it gives us great peace and happiness to be able to keep his memory alive with this meaningful race event. We have brought many in our community together as a result as well as to raise awareness and funds for Boston Children’s Hospital, Johns Hopkins, as well as the Children’s House (Believe in Tomorrow foundation). We would love to have you join as well!!!

Info about this Memorial Event

Theodore had just celebrated his second birthday one month before he had to go to heaven, so we have elected this to be an annual 2-mile race in honor of the beautiful time we had with him here on Earth.

The race will start in the Fuller Meadow Elementary School parking lot, continue into the Brigadoon neighborhood through the paved path, loop around the entire Brigadoon neighborhood, and then finish back through the connecting path back into the school parking lot. Runners, trotters, walkers, strollers, or even just spectators are all welcome!

The venue of our neighborhood is very special, as it’s full of so many beautiful family memories. We hope you can join us! Theodore (and all of the special stars of everyone's hearts) will surely be soaring with us through this course as we remember and celebrate together!

Chase the Butterfly Family 5K Road Race and Kids Fun Run

Saturday May 2, 2026 | Kids Fun Run Race Starts 9:30 AM | Race Starts 10:00 AM

PERMIT PENDING

Run for a Reason: Your Support Makes the Difference

Run for a reason. The Y is dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to our programming and services, from life-saving swim safety to youth development and childcare. Your registration supports this essential mission, ensuring we can continue to help those in our community who need the Y most.

This year, your impact goes even further. We are proud to collaborate with the CureCMT4J Foundation for the Chase the Butterfly 5K. CureCMT4J is an Ipswich-based nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for an extremely rare, deadly neurological disease similar to ALS.

Get your running shoes ready! Join us at New England Biolabs to run or walk in support of our community and local heroes like Talia Duff. It’s more than a race—it’s a chance to strengthen our community bonds and fund a life-saving mission. We can’t wait to see you at the starting line!

Race Map

Go the Extra Mile: Our Fundraising Levels

Join our mission to provide financial assistance and fund a cure by reaching one of our meaningful fundraising levels! Every dollar you raise supports vital Y programs and the CureCMT4J Foundation.

• Chrysalis: Registration Level. Simply signing up supports our cause and starts the transformation!

• Caterpillar: Raise a total of $50. You’re helping our community programs grow and thrive.

• Butterfly: Raise a total of $100.00. Your support is taking flight and spreading hope.

• Flight!: Raise a total of $250.00 or more to become one of our top champions and lead the way to a cure!

Race Day Details

Kids Fun Run: 9:30 AM

Race Start Time: 10:00 AM

Location: New England Biolabs: 240 County Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938

Course Details: This course is stroller and dog friendly (well-behaved dogs only).

Refund Policy: All sales are final, no refunds will be offered.

Timing: Timing Provided by Bay State Race Services

Swag: Tee Shirt first come first served while supplies last. Shirts must be picked up by the start of the race.

Parking: Free on-site parking in the garage and surface lots.

Friday Pick-up: Friday, May 1st 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Ipswich Family YMCA 110 County, Ipswich

Race Day Pick-up: Begins at 8:30 AM at New England Biolabs

Results, Awards and Celebration

• Results: Posted at the finish line and emailed to participants post-race.

• Overall Winners: Medals for 1st Place Male & Female.

• Age Groups: Medals for Top 3 Male & Female: 13 & under, 14–19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70+.

• Open Categories: Medals for Top 3 Non-binary and Top 3 Wheelchair finishers.

• Local Honors: Special prizes for the 1st Place Male & Female Ipswich residents.

• Pre- and Post-Race Party!: Rock out with live music from Tri-Town Rock Band and Bottles and Cans. Grab a bite from the Beefie Boys food truck and enjoy a complimentary beer or NA beverage from True North Ale Company (21+, ID required).

Quick Links & Resources

Discover Ipswich:

Your guide to the local business community; find the best places to shop, dine, and stay in the region.

Cape Ann & Ipswich Chamber

Visit Ipswich

YMCA Member Resources:

Our Y welcomes ALL. We strengthen communities, educate and nurture children, and promote healthy living in spirit, mind, and body.

YMCA of the Northshore

Upcoming YMCA Races and Community Events:

Join us for Road Races, Golf Tournaments, Galas, and other Special Events!

Fundraising and Community Events

Kindness Week at Essex Tech

This exciting event is a celebration of kindness, community spirit, and wellness, as we come together to spread positivity and make a difference. Kindness Week draws inspiration from the resilience and unity demonstrated on One Boston Day, embodying its spirit through acts of compassion and generosity within our school community.

About this Event

Join us for a heartwarming and uplifting experience as we lace up our sneakers and hit the trail for our second annual Kindness Week 5k Run/Walk!

Race Swag

T-shirts will be provided to the first 150 registrants.