šāāļø Popular New England Races ā August & September 2026
Looking for great races to run this late summer and early fall? Hereās a curated list of the top 2ā3 most popular races in each New England state for August and September 2026. These events are wellāknown, wellāattended, and perfect for runners planning their next adventure.
š²š¦ Massachusetts
TripleThreat Half Marathon & 5K ā Rockport, MA
Date: August 2, 2026 Time: Morning Website: https://www.triplethreathalf.com A scenic coastal half marathon and 5K that attracts runners from across New England.
Breakaway 5K ā Old Orchard Beach, MA
Date: August 15, 2026 Time: Morning Website: https://breakaway5k.com A festive beachātown 5K with strong summer participation.
Run to the Rock ā Plymouth, MA
Date: September 12, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM Website: https://www.runtotherock.com A popular multiādistance race offering a 5K, 10K, and half marathon.
š³š New Hampshire
Rotary Trails to Ales 5K ā Bedford, NH
Date: August 30, 2026 Time: Evening Website: https://trails2ales.org A community favorite with great postārace energy.
Sabine Strong 3.3 & Kids Dash ā Newington, NH
Date: August 2026 Time: Morning Website: https://sabinestrong.org A charity race with strong local support.
NH DARE Classic 5K ā NH
Date: September 9, 2026 Time: Morning Website: https://nhdare5k.org A longārunning September staple.
š²šŖ Maine
Blue Lobster 4āMiler ā Kennebunk, ME
Date: August 2, 2026 Time: Morning Website: https://bluelobsterrun.com A coastal favorite with a strong summer turnout.
Wild Blueberry 5āMile Run ā Machias, ME
Date: August 2026 Time: Morning Website: https://wildblueberryrun.com A signature Maine race tied to the Wild Blueberry Festival.
Arundel Conservation Trust Trailfest ā Arundel, ME
Date: September 26, 2026 Time: Half 9:00 AM, 10K 10:00 AM, 5K 10:30 AM Website: https://arundeltrust.org/trailfest A multiādistance trail event with strong participation.
š»š¹ Vermont
Sugarworks Trail Run ā Shelburne, VT
Date: August 2026 Time: Morning Website: https://sugarworkstrailrun.com A scenic trail race with strong local turnout.
100on100 Relay ā Stowe, VT
Date: August 2026 Time: All day Website: https://100on100relay.com One of Vermontās most iconic relay races.
1LT Mark H. Dooley 5K ā Wilmington, VT
Date: September 19, 2026 Time: 10:15 AM Website: https://dooley5k.com A wellāattended memorial race.
šØš¹ Connecticut
Ocean Beach / John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon ā New London, CT
Date: August 2026 Time: Morning Website: https://kelleyhalf.com A historic and popular Connecticut half marathon.
Old Wethersfield 10K & 5K ā Wethersfield, CT
Date: August 2026 Time: Morning Website: https://oldwethersfield10k.com A classic lateāsummer race with strong turnout.
Canterbury Cross Country Invitational ā New Milford, CT
Date: September 26, 2026 Time: 12:00ā1:30 PM (multiple divisions) Website: https://canterburyxcinvitational.com A major regional XC meet drawing large fields.