6 running events in Melrose, Massachusetts
From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find running events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Melrose
6 events in Melrose-
Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 8:30 AMSee full details
Register now! Race entry increases to $40 on Saturday, March 14th.
Join us for the Melrose St. Patrick’s Day 5K - Run for the Gold!, a fun and festive community race celebrating Irish spirit and local tradition. Runners will enjoy a spirited course capped off by the sound of live bagpipers welcoming you across the finish line — a truly memorable Melrose moment. After the race, stick around for a festive Irish-themed awards ceremony, celebrating participants and top finishers with plenty of St. Patrick’s Day flair. Whether you’re racing for a personal best or running with the family, this event is designed to be welcoming, spirited, and fun for all ages and abilities. Leprechaun costumes are optional!
Best of all, your participation supports a great cause. All proceeds benefit the charitable works of the Melrose Knights of Columbus, helping support local families and community initiatives.
Come run, walk, cheer, and celebrate — we look forward to seeing you at the starting line!
Strollers are welcome and children 10 & under are free!
Registration Update:
Registration is currently open, with the race fee increasing to $40 on Saturday, March 14th.
Race day registration will be available for $45, so be sure to sign up early to secure the best price.
Race Details:
Saturday, March 21st, 8:30am Race Start
Where: Melrose Knights of Columbus, 23 W. Foster Street Melrose, MA 02176
Bib Pick-up:
Friday, March 20th, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 21st, 7:00 AM
Melrose Knights of Columbus, 23 W. Foster Street Melrose, MA 02176
Race Features:
Chip Timing by Second Wind Timing
Awards to top finishers and post race refreshments
Children 10 & under are free!
First 100 runners to register will receive an official race t-shirt. Race entry price increases as of Saturday, March 14th.
Post-Race Celebration & Awards Ceremony
After the race, runners, families, and spectators are invited to gather at the Melrose Knights of Columbus for a festive post-race celebration. Enjoy a lively awards ceremony recognizing our top finishers and age-group winners, along with special performances by Irish step dancers. Stick around after you finish to celebrate with fellow runners and enjoy music, community, and the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.
Keep the St. Patrick’s Day fun going!
Join us Saturday night at 7:00 pm at the Knights of Columbus for a Comedy Night featuring Julie Nolan and plenty of laughs. Make a full day of it - run the race in the morning and come back for the show that night!
Runner Discount from Marathon Sports!
We’re grateful for the support of our local running store, Marathon Sports. All registered runners for the Melrose St. Patrick’s Day 5K will receive 20% off in-store purchases during race weekend (March 20–March 22). Simply show your race bib or registration confirmation at checkout to receive the discount. It’s the perfect chance to gear up for race day or treat yourself after you Run for the Gold!
About the Knights of Columbus:
The Melrose Knights of Columbus raises funds for a variety of charitable activities that benefit our community. Your participation enables the Melrose Council to support the people of Melrose and the surrounding communities through charity fundraising, volunteerism and compassionate care for those less fortunate.
No refunds available.
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Sun, Mar 22, 2026 at 9:45 AMSee full details
Support the Melrose High School Track teams for a timed mile event at the Pine Banks track!
Whether you are looking for a speed challenge, are wondering how close to your high school PR you can get, or anything in between, this is the event for you!
The race will be held Sunday, March 22. A Kids Fun Run will kick things off at 9:45, and mile heats will begin at 10:00 am and will run as described below. All proceeds directly benefit the Melrose High Track teams. Please register for your projected finish time for a 1 mile race. Final heat sizes and times may be adjusted based on runner registration.
Prizes will be awarded for the top three mile times (male/female/non-binary), the best costumed runner/walker, and the top two runners from each age division - Youth (12 and under), Scholastic (13-19), Open (20-39), and Masters (40+).
Schedule as follows:
Kids 400m Fun Run - 9:45 am
Melrose Community Mile (9:30 pace and up) - 10:00 am
Melrose Aerobic Mile (8:00-9:30 pace) - 10:20 am
Melrose Tempo Mile (7:00-8:00 pace) - 10:40 am
Melrose Threshold Mile (6:00-7:00 pace) - 11:00 am
Melrose Elite Mile (Sub 6:00 pace) - 11:20 am
Please note that the race schedule is our best estimate and is subject to change. Information about packet pickup and final heat sheets will follow.
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Sun, May 10, 2026 at 8:30 AMSee full details
Please join us for this 3.5-mile race, an annual tradition celebrating Mother's Day to benefit Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV), hosted by the Melrose Running Club. Special thanks to our title sponsor Fitzgerald Physical Therapy Associates for supporting the 29th running of the Melrose Run For Women. The festivities kick off with a series of races for kids 10 and under at 8:30am followed by the main event, a 3.5 mile run/walk winding through the scenic Swains Pond section of Melrose, at 9:00am.
All net proceeds will benefit MAAV. MAAV is committed to breaking the cycle of domestic violence through raising awareness in the community, educating young people and linking victims to the resources needed to live free from violence. Your participation help support programs in the Melrose schools and services for victims of domestic violence.
Official race shirts will be available to the first 400 registrants in the 3.5-mile race. Don't delay and register today!
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Sat, Oct 03, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
Join the Tufts Medical community for the second annual run/walk at Pine Banks Park in Melrose, MA to kick off breast cancer awareness month! Every year, approx 1 in 8 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer, making it one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. At Tufts Medical Center, we are committed to providing the most innovative care to those patients facing this diagnosis. This race aims to raise awareness and show support to the patients, family and friends that have been impacted by breast cancer.
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Sat, Oct 31, 2026 at 8:30 AMSee full details
Run for a cause. Run with the Y. Bring your costume and join us for the 17th Annual Spooky Sprint 5K hosted by the Melrose Family YMCA. This family-friendly run/walk begins at the Y and travels through charming downtown Melrose and beautiful Pine Banks. Registration includes post-race refreshments, awards for top runners in every age category, and prizes for best costume. All proceeds support the YMCA of Metro North Annual Fund to provide access to YMCA child care, camp, and health and wellness programs to everyone.
NEW this year! Our "Family Rate" allows 4 participants from the same family household to register together for just $100. This rate is for family members only-- perfect for parents, kids, and siblings ready to get active together!
Race Details:
Saturday, October 31st, 8:30am Race Start
Packet pick-up for Pre-Registered Runners: 7:00am
Race day registration: 7:30am
Where: Melrose Family YMCA, 497 Main Street Melrose, MA 02176
Packet Pick-up & In-person Registration:
Friday, October 30th, 2:00pm-7:00pm
Melrose Family YMCA, 497 Main Street Melrose, MA 02176
Race Features:
Chip Timing by Bay State Race Services
Post race refreshments
Awards to top overall and the top finishers in each age group
Costume contest - if you would like to be considered for a prize, look for the costume photo booth and get your picture taken.
Those who register by Thursday, October 8th will receive a long sleeve t-shirt. Price increases as of Friday, October 9th. Be sure to register no later than Thursday, October 8th to receive your t-shirt!!!
The YMCA of Metro North Road Race Series raises funds for a variety of charitable activities that benefit our community. Participants in our four unique 5K races run or walk to support the YMCA of Metro North Annual Fund and raise money to provide access to YMCA child care, camp, and health and wellness programs to everyone. In 2025 the YMCA of Metro North provided more than $3 million in financial aid providing all children, adults and families with opportunities to develop a healthy spirit, mind and body regardless of income.
No refunds available.
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Sat, Dec 12, 2026 at 12:00 PMSee full details
We are looking forward to this year's 20th edition of the race - MHNC XX! We plan to have some special features associated with the event. As part of this, if anyone has some interesting displays of nutcrackers over the years which you don't mind sharing (by name or anonymously), please email photos to [email protected] .
The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge is excited to welcome runners and walkers again for this year's 20th round over the hilly Mount Hood Golf Club. This race is a unique 3.5-mile cross-country race in the Greater Boston area in that the course changes every year. Runners look forward to a vigorous team competition or competing individually, a challenging course, and vying for the coveted nutcrackers! Others arrive festively dressed for this December race, and come for the experience and challenge of XC running.
There is also a non-competitive 2-mile walk for those who want an easier option while still enjoying the festive nature of the event, and to help support the race beneficiaries.
Race Start Time
12:00 pm for both the 3.5-mile XC race and 2-mile walk. Starting line this year is 0.2 miles from the Melrose Fish & Game Club (see below).
Venue
The host venue is the Melrose Fish & Game Club. For those unfamiliar with this location, directions are the same as for the Mount Hood clubhouse except that you take the road to the left of the clubhouse (Stillman Rd.) and travel 1/3 mile further. The majority of race parking is closer to the clubhouse, so be prepared for a warm-up walk or jog to reach the venue.
Race limit
250 entrants
XC Team registration procedure
=> See Teams Info page
Awards
Top 3 M+F overall
Top 3 M+F in age divisions (19-under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-over)
Top 3 teams in each division
The walk is a non-competitive event.
Amenities
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Nutcracker figurines to awards winners
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Melrose Fish & Game Club’s famous post-race pasta lunch
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Cash bar
Beneficiaries
Housing Families, Inc. and the Melrose HS XC teams.
Strollers
No strollers allowed
Race day registration hours
10:00 – 11:30 am at the Melrose Fish & Game Club
Bib pick-up location & hours
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Fri. 12/11/26: 3 - 7 pm at Marathon Sports, 401 Main St., Melrose
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Race day: 10:00 - 11:45 am, Melrose Fish & Game Club
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Local Clubs & Organizations
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Club
USA Swimming Club. Safe Sport Recognized. 103 members.
[email protected] +1 781-665-4360