7 running, criterium, cycling, and other events in Newton, Massachusetts

Join us on Sunday, May 10, 2026, for the NCLS Dragon's Path AAPI 5K/1K Run & Walk — a joyful celebration of Mother’s Day, AAPI Heritage Month, healthy living, and the vibrant spirit of our community!

Lace up your sneakers and take on the flat, fast, tree-lined course along the scenic Wells Ave loop in Newton. Breathe in the fresh spring air, enjoy blossoming trees, and soak up the lively, welcoming atmosphere. All ages and abilities are welcome — whether you're running, walking, or cheering!

This special event is proudly hosted by the Newton Chinese Language School (NCLS).Founded in 1959, NCLS is New England's largest Chinese language school, with a proud 67-year legacy of preserving cultural heritage, promoting language learning, and fostering multicultural exchange. Today, we serve over 800 families and 1,300 students, building strong intergenerational connections and strengthening our Greater Boston community.

Come celebrate with us — We will have pre race warmup and after race performances, live bands, delicious food and fresh roses for everyone! Register today and be part of the fun!

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.

High School: We also welcome our high school runners! Our high school students will be running a 2 mile race.

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

High School

Challenger

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

#GetUpandGo

About This Event

The Lions 5K is an annual event organized by the Newton South Booster Club to support athletics and school spirit at Newton South High School. The race is open to the public and runs through the streets surrounding Newton South High School.

All participants who register before May 1, 2026, will receive a FREE t-shirt and a ticket to a prize drawing. After May 1, t-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure you register early to secure your t-shirt.

You can run as individuals or as part of a South athletic team. Race prizes will be awarded in many categories, including Best Lion-themed costume. If you are a teacher, please contact [email protected] before registering for a discount code.

Registration fees before race day:

$35 + $4.94 processing fee - ADULT

$25 + $4.94 processing fee - YOUTH AND HIGHSCHOOL STUDENTS

Race Day Registration:

Race day registration will open at 7:30am. Race day registration fees:

$40 - Adult

$30 - Youth and Highschool Students

Save time on race morning by picking up your bib and race t-shirt in advance!

DATE: Friday, May 29, 2026

TIME: 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Newton South High School

(Grass area outside Wheeler House)

Course Description:

Start at Newton South High School adjacent to the Newton South Preschool Program playground. From the start, runners follow the Brandeis field’s access road and turn right onto Brandeis Road. Then left onto Greenwood, right onto Dudley, up a steep, but fairly short hill and a quick right onto Drumlin Road. A downhill and a right onto Hartman Road, crossing Greenwood Street before taking a left onto Meadowbrook, a right at Country Club Road, a right onto Arnold Road, a right again at Sharpe Road and a left onto Wheeler Road. At the end of Wheeler, the course turns right onto Parker Street, right again onto Roosevelt, then left back onto Brandeis. For the FINISH, runners will turn right into the high school’s main parking lot, proceed to Winkler Stadium, enter the track doing a counter-clockwise lap before finishing at the track finish line.

Sponsorship:

Interested in being a race sponsor. Use this link to learn about our sponsorship opportunities http://www.nsboosters.org/lions-5k-sponsorship-info

Donation:

Donations of all sizes are appreciated and support athletics and school spirit events at South. To donate, please use this link www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GHETU3WJWM592