Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K
- Date
- November 8, 2026
- Location
- 177 Main Street, Monson, MA
- Distance
- Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon · Monson Memorial Classic 5K
From the Organizer
Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon and 5K
The Monson Memorial Classic road race was started in 1996, shortly after the deaths of Kelly Waldron and Kathy Waldron Perry. These sisters died eight months apart from different types of cancer. Kathy suffered with melanoma, and Kelly had breast, bone, and liver cancer. They were wonderful, loving people. This race is in their memory, and past proceeds have gone to American Cancer Association of Western Mass, American Lung Association, Quaboag Valley Hospice, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year we are giving proceeds to Griffin's Friends.
Griffin's Friends was founded in 1994 in Springfield, MA and named in honor of Griffin Kelleher, who lost his courageous battle with cancer at 14 months of age. Griffin's Friends is a nonprofit group that provides support to children who are stricken with cancer, and their families. To learn more, visit www.griffinsfriends.com
On race day, please bring canned goods to donate to Open Pantry. We will have a collection area at the race.
Race timing services provided by Fast Track Timing
RACE DAY SCHEDULE:
- Half Marathon check in 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
- Half Marathon race starts at 11:00 am.
- 5K check in 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- 5K race starts at 11:15 p.m.
RUNNER AMENITIES (aka a few of the reasons our race rocks!):
- Post race party featuring live music and the best food ever!
- Prize money $$$
- Chip timing
- Long sleeve tech shirts for the first 200 to register for the half marathon by October 20th
- Finisher medals to all half marathon finishers
- T-shirts to the first 100 to register for the 5K by October 20th
- USATF Half Marathon course # MA15024JK - this means your PR is a true PR!
- Half Marathon course maps: course map with elevation | simple course map
- 5K course map with elevation
USATF Sanction/Certificate # 202310181009411
Distances & Pricing
Race Location
About This Sport
From Endurance Grid's Founder
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K?
- Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K is a running event held in Monson, MA. Learn more about the different endurance sports here.
- When and where is the Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K?
- Sunday, November 8, 2026 in Monson, MA at 177 Main Street, Monson, MA. Check the official event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K?
- Registration is handled through their official registration page. Confirm pricing, distances available, and sign up there.
Monson Memorial Classic Half Marathon & 5K
Nov 8, 2026