
From the Organizer
“Follow Me!” — the proud and powerful motto of the United States Army Infantry.
The Massachusetts Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment—founded in 1636 and the oldest military unit in the nation—is fired up to host the Follow Me 5K right here in Melrose. With a legacy that stretches from the French and Indian War to today’s missions, our Soldiers have answered the call for generations—and now it’s your turn.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner chasing a new personal best, a casual walker, or simply looking to show your support for the military community, this event is for you. Bring your energy—age group prizes will be awarded, and every step you take helps support the annual Blue Chord Ball, which brings together Infantry Soldiers and their families from across Massachusetts.
After you cross the finish line, keep the momentum going—join us behind the armory to meet the Soldiers, learn more about what we do, and get an up-close look at some of our equipment.
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
80°
Typical Low
58°
Chance of Rain
39%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Reading, 6 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
29,488
as of 2023
Elevation
56 ft
Nearest Airport
BOS
Boston Logan International Airport · 7 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Follow Me! 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
12
Days to train
Coming Up
Bill Feeney 5K
5 miles away
Irish American 5 & 10k Road Race
2 miles away
Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Run/Walk
Less than a mile away
WAAV Strides For Safety
3 miles away
From Endurance Grid
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.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Follow Me! 5K
Jun 20, 2026