21 events in Boston, Massachusetts

Miles for Migraine will host its 9th annual 2-mile Walk, 5K Run and Relax Massachusetts event on Saturday July 18th at Carson Beach (Mother's Rest Area) in South Boston. This event is a fundraiser for Migraine & Headache Awareness, Treatment & Research. It's more than a walk/run - come connect with your local migraine & headache community, listen to our speakers & visit sponsors in the festival area.

The 5K run is professionally timed. The Walk and the Relax events are free, but donations are encouraged. All walk and run finishers receive a finisher medal.

Dress up in your best purple flair for a chance at a fun prize!

Funds raised will benefit Miles for Migraine free programs & services.

Experience the grit and glory of Boston, a city where athletic tradition is woven into the very cobblestones of its historic streets. From the legendary finish line of the Boston Marathon to the spirited atmosphere of its world-renowned sports culture, the "City of Champions" provides an electrifying backdrop for athletes ready to push their limits in one of America's most iconic hubs.

The challenge unfolds at the Thomas Michael Menino Convention and Exhibition Center, a premier waterfront venue that offers a sprawling, high-energy arena for the ultimate indoor fitness race. Over three action-packed days, competitors will tackle the signature DEKA FIT course featuring 10 functional fitness zones paired with 5km of running. This event boasts a massive lineup including Elite and Age Group heats, Ruck waves, and high-intensity 2-Person and thrilling 4-Person team categories. For those seeking the pinnacle of endurance, Boston will also host the DEKA FIT Ultra, providing a grueling yet rewarding platform for athletes to cement their own legacy in this historic city.

About This Event

Please join us for the Annual Colin Joy Project 5K September, 27th 2025. We are so excited to be continuing Colin's Joy Project's mission and are here to welcome you all back for running. The day will begin with 2 youth races to start us off followed by a 5 km course along scenic South Boston beaches.

After the race there will be light refreshments, and entertainment to go along with the awards. As well as some great raffle items and a pop up shop for Colin's Joy Project merch!

Colin's Joy Project race shirt to be given to the first 250 registered 5K runners/walkers.

Saturday, September 27th, 2025 (*permit pending)

9:00a.m. – 5 km Race

Youth Races:

8:15 am. – 100 Meter Dash (9 years and under)

8:30 a.m. – ½ Mile Race (14 years and under)

• 5k open to all ages for the walk or run*

5K Registration $30

Youth registration $15

Start and Finish:

Course

Fast and flat 5 km along scenic Castle Island and beaches of Day Boulevard

Number Pick-Up

There will be early bib pickup and merch pop-up on Friday September 26th from 5:30-7.

Registration will be open at 7:30 am on race day for pick-up and same day sign ups

Parking

Parking is available along the adjacent streets and beach area. Resident parking is NOT in effect on Saturdays.

T-shirts

To the first 250 registered runners or walkers (but will be available for purchase day of)

Refunds

We appreciate and understand that unexpected circumstances present themselves constantly. However, if you have registered for the race and are unable to attend, we kindly request that your race fee be considered a donation to Colin's Joy Project. If this is not acceptable, please email [email protected] to arrange for a refund.

About Colin's Joy Project:

Colin McGrath was killed in 2018 after being struck by a car on his way home from a wonderful day in the park. His life was full of love, laughter, curiosity. Colin lived every minute of his life to the fullest. His laughing eyes, beautiful curls, hilarious voice, and sense of adventure will never be forgotten. His smile made everyone's heart happy.

Since Colin's death, the McGrath family started a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called Colin's Joy Project. The mission of Colin's Joy Project is to enhance play spaces and sponsor children and family programming in the South Boston and surrounding communities.

Colin's Joy Project has several active play space projects in development in South Boston inspired by Colin's Creativity Squad, an initiative that engages children in the community to design their own exciting, creative play spaces. Colin's Joy Project has also formed multiple community partnerships to which they have donated over $1.5M in the last 7 years! Through these partnerships, Colin's Joy Project fulfills their mission to bring joy to families the way Colin brought joy to all who knew him.

A donation to Team Colin will support these long-lasting partnerships and future projects. Learn more about our work on our website www.colinsjoyproject.org, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@colinsjoyproject) for updates!

The Esplanade Association (EA) invites YOU to enjoy a new season and new pace to support the same great cause! Rather than spring, we scheduled the annual 5K on Sunday, October 25—with hopes that a free parking day in the City of Boston amid fall foliage is a great opportunity to costume up and celebrate fitness and community in the park before Halloween!

Building on the successful history of our beloved 5K Race, we are also introducing a dedicated Walk in succession to the annual Run. This staggered option will allow more individuals (including dog walkers, strollers and rollers!) to participate at their own pace and comfort level, while keeping pathway safety in mind as to not overcrowd the course. Please keep in mind: This is a shared-use, public pathway.

There will be plenty to enjoy for 5K participants and fans alike, including fall-themed activities for the entire family, free samples from vendors, food, music, and more.

Spots will fill up quickly, so don't miss out on the fun and sign up today!

EVENT DETAILS

Location: Charles River Esplanade, Fiedler Field

Please Note: This is a different location in the park than in previous event years. It is next to the Night Shift Beer Garden across the lagoon from the Hatch Memorial Shell

Event Times:

• 5K Run begins at 9:00am (rain or shine!) with Awards immediately following

• 5K Walk begins at 11:00am

• Vendor Fair begins at 8:00am along with the Registration Table and will continue through the event

REGISTRATION AND TICKETS

Pre-Event Registration (closes Saturday, October 25th at 12:00pm EST)

We highly recommend securing your spot sooner rather than later as this event tends to sell out!

• $35.00: Run Registration

• Esplanade 5K Runners will receive a chipped bib for timing and race results + prizes

• $30.00: Walk Registration

• Esplanade 5K Walkers will receive a bib (not chipped for time)

Day-of Registration

• $45.00: Day-of Registration (both Run & Walk)

• Only available if not sold out

REGISTRATION INCLUDES

5K Run ONLY

• One custom bib with timing chip and official race results

• A chance at prizes for top runners across various age and gender brackets

5K Walk ONLY

• One custom bib (no timing chip)

ALL Registrants Will Receive

• Virtual Prize Bag (shared post event via email)

• Pre-Event Packet with information, sent out virtually

• One 18 oz customized eco-friendly commemorative cup! These are made from 100% recycled material and reusable. Learn more.

5K RUN CATEGORIES

• 1st Place Overall in Male/Female/Non-binary

• 10 & Under Male/Female

• 11-14 Male/Female

• 15-19 Male/Female

• 20-29 Male/Female

• 30-39 Male/Female

• 40-49 Male/Female

• 50-59 Male/Female

• 60-69 Male/Female

• 70-79 Male/Female

• 80+ Male/Female

BIB PICKUP

EARLY Bib Pickup

• Thursday, October 22nd

• Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm

• Location: Esplanade Association office (575 Boylston Street, Suite 4R, Boston, MA 02116)

• Friday, October 23rd

• Time: 12:00pm - 6:00pm

• Location: Marathon Sports in Back Bay (671 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116)

• All registrants who pick-up their bib at Marathon Sports can take advantage of a 20% discount on purchases (certain exclusions apply)

Day Of Pickup

• You may also pick up your bib starting at 8am day-of at the Registration Tent. Lines can be long so we recommend getting there on the early side or picking up early

TEAM REGISTRATION

Registering a team can be done online during the registration process. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

SPONSORSHIP & TABLING

Interested in seeing your company as a supporter or are you hoping to share about your company/organization by setting up a table or booth? Learn more about event sponsorship opportunities and tabling by contacting [email protected]

VOLUNTEER

If you are interested in volunteering at the 5K, please email Molly Ryan at [email protected]

DOGS AND STROLLERS POLICY

We welcome families, walkers, and furry friends—but safety comes first!

Strollers and leashed dogs are permitted during the 5K Walk only. For the safety of all participants, they are not allowed in the 5K Run.

If you plan to bring a stroller or dog for the Walk, please review the following guidelines:

• Start at the back of the Walk to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all.

• Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

• Please ensure your dog is well-behaved, up to date on vaccinations, and comfortable in crowds.

• Be prepared to clean up after your dog—waste bags are required.

These policies help ensure a safe and enjoyable event for everyone on the Esplanade.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: ACCESSIBILITY

We are committed to making the event as accessible and inclusive as possible. Here’s what to know about navigating the event space:

• Entrances

• The Frances Appleton Pedestrian Bridge at Charles Circle is the most accessible entry point to the park. There are two at-grade entrances to the park on either end of the park. One near the Museum of Science and Boston Police Barracks and the near the BU sailing pavilion.

• Interior Footbridges

• There are footbridges inside of the park that will be used as part of the race route that are constructed with cobblestone, creating an uneven surface. See example view of bridges. Please let us know if you anticipate this impacting your ability to participate.

• Rideshare Drop-Off

• If you’re looking to access the park via the Frances Appleton Footbridge, we recommend using 170 Charles Street (The Whitney Hotel) as your rideshare drop-off location.

• Terrain:

• The Esplanade has over five miles of paved pathways. Although they vary in width and smoothness, they are largely welcoming to all park visitors.

• Restrooms:

• There will be accessible gender-neutral portable restrooms on site.

• Noise Level:

• Expect occasional loud moments during the event, including music, speaker announcements, and cheering. These may affect guests who are sensitive to sound or rely on auditory cues for navigation. We encourage bringing noise-reducing gear if helpful.

For additional accessibility questions or requests, please contact [email protected]

EVENT FAQ

What is the difference between the Run and the Walk?

• The 5K Run is a timed event with separate start times and awards. The 5K Run is also family-friendly and we encourage all to participate that wish to do a more “competitive” (including competing against yourself) and fast-paced event. The Walk is untimed, family-friendly, and open to all—strollers and leashed dogs are welcome in the Walk only.

Why did you change the format to include a "Walk" this year?

• In an effort to be as inclusive as possible, and with the growing number of people interested, the decision was made to offer 2 distinct options. Pathway safety was also considered in this decision as the pathways can be narrow at times and crowded with both event participants and the general-use public. This update will mitigate overcrowding on the pathways, provide a space for all ability levels, and an option for everyone to come out and enjoy the event, all while ensuring a safe event.

Can I walk in the 5K Run?

• YES- walking is allowed in the 5K Run, but we ask that slower participants to start in the back (last wave). Please note: strollers and dogs are not permitted in the Run.

Will restrooms be available on site?

• YES- we will have portable restrooms available, including ADA Portable Restrooms, on site at Fiedler Field.

Are there awards or prizes?

• We will have awards/prizes for top finishers in their categories (see race categories) for the 5K Run ONLY. Participants in the 5K Run will be provided a chipped bib for timing. There are no awards for the 5K Walk.

Will there be t-shirts?

• NO- in an effort to reduce textile waste and continue to work towards a more sustainable and climate-friendly event, we will not be offering t-shirts. HOWEVER we will be offering a free, recycled and recyclable commemorative customized cup to registrants!

Is there same-day registration?

• YES- You may register the day of the event however we highly recommend pre-registration as historically this race has sold out. Registration will open at 8:00am. Please note that we can not guarantee a customized race bib if you register day-of and the cost of registration will be $45.00 for BOTH the Run and Walk.

What if it rains?

• The event is rain or shine! In cases of extreme weather, we’ll notify participants of any delays or cancellations via email, social media, and on our website.

Can I get a refund if I am no longer able to make it?

• Registrations are non-refundable, though you are able to transfer your registration. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions. Your registration fee supports the Esplanade Association’s ability to care for the park, sustain it’s natural beauty, and provide free public programming for all!

I am interested in volunteering, how do I sign up to volunteer?

• ABSOLUTELY! We would love to have you as a volunteer. Please contact [email protected] if you would like more information.

Is there parking on the Esplanade?

• NO- There is not parking inside of the park. You can park in nearby garages or take advantage of the free metered street parking in Boston on Sundays.

THIS EVENT SUPPORTS

Proceeds from this the 5K support EA's work to revitalize the Esplanade's greenspace, improve infrastructure and build community through free educational, cultural, and recreational programs for all. Our sole mission is to make our beloved riverfront state park more vibrant and vital to our shared health, connection and joy! Thanks for contributing as a friend of the Esplanade!

In 2026, we look forward to returning to DCR Fort Independence at Castle Island to celebrate Veterans Day weekend together on November 7 for the 11th Annual DAV 5K Boston! Race with us on one of the "fastest and flattest" race courses and stay for our famous "post-race feast" in South Boston. #VetsRunBoston

We are thrilled to be back at DCR Fort Independence at Castle Island and cannot wait to see you and all of our DAV 5K Boston friends and family on Veterans Day weekend. The DAV 5K Boston race committee is working with our municipal partners at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, DCR, State Police and the City of Boston to ensure a safe and responsible family-friendly event experience.

The DAV 5K Boston is a run, walk or roll that thanks those who served and raises awareness of the issues our ill and injured veterans face every day. This event helps further the mission of the DAV Department of Massachusetts to ensure our injured heroes are not alone on their road to recovery.

Join us as the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity’s Boston Chapter hosts the ninth annual Ryan Shaw Memorial 5K run/walk along the Charles River in Boston in remembrance of our brother and friend Ryan Scott Shaw. Ryan passed away at the age of 18 on May 9th, 2016 shortly after being diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. The Ryan Shaw Memorial 5K run/walk aims to preserve Ryan's legacy through this memorial event.