5k Runs, Half-Marathons & Marathons Happening in NH this Fall

From Turkey Trots to Marathons, New Hampshire has a race for runners of every skill level, all fall and winter long

4 hours ago

Ernesto Burden,

The Randolph Ramble is a 10-kilometer-long, rugged, self-supported trail race through the Great North Woods in the mountain town of Randolph, New Hampshire, at the base of the Northern Presidentials. The race places an emphasis on self-sufficiency in the mountains: There are no aid stations and, due to the time of year, there is a mandatory gear list. randolphramble.com

October 26
20th Annual Seacoast Half Marathon
This race is fast, fun, and scenic — and all net proceeds support charitable causes. The Seacoast Half starts and ends at Portsmouth High School, guiding runners through the picturesque coastal towns of Rye and New Castle. Over 20 years, this volunteer-led event has raised nearly $2 million for Seacoast nonprofits. This year’s beneficiary is the Birchtree Center, whose autism programs include the state’s only year-round school exclusively for students with autism. seacoasthalfmarathon.com

November 1
MDS Run, Keene
10k, 5k, 1 mile: For its 11th year the MDS Run is joining forces with the Flutie 5K for Autism. This fun, family-friendly event in the Monadnock Region aims to make a difference in the Monadnock Region disability community. All funds raised will benefit the unmet dental needs of adults with developmental disabilities.
runsignup.com/Race/NH/Keene/11thAnnualMDSRunWalkSmile

November 1
Dan Healy Memorial, Exeter
5k: Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel R. Healy, US Navy SEAL, BUD/S Class 176, was born in 1968 in Exeter, and was killed in action in the Hindu Kush mountains of Kunar Province, Afghanistan in June 2005, during Operation Red Wings. SCPO Healy was lost when the MH-47 helicopter he was aboard on a rescue mission was shot down when going to the aid of a team of four SEALs on a reconnaissance mission in a battle with a larger force of the Taliban. SCPO Healy was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for Valor, the Purple Heart and Afghanistan Campaign Medal. SCPO Healy’s other awards include Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal (3), and the National Defense Service Medal. runsignup.com/Race/NH/Exeter/DanHealyMemorial5K

November 1
Blackout 5k / 10k Mountain Race
These adventurous, headlamp-mandatory races at Cranmore Resort in North Conway begin at sunset and run a mix of access roads and ski trails.

whitemountainski.co/pages/blackout-5k-10k-mountain-race

November 2
Hugs from Vets, Henniker
10k: Trail race sponsored by Henniker Brewing Co. supports veterans. runreg.com/hugs-from-vets-formerly-hugs-from-vets-3rdannual-trail-10kish-race-to-support-veterans

November 8
Rescue Me 5k, Lincoln
5k: Lakes Region Search and Rescue is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization formed in 2019 to assist New Hampshire Fish & Game with wilderness search and rescue missions in the Southern White Mountains and Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Post-race festivities will be held at the One Love Brewery for a complimentary Moat Mountain Brewery craft beer (21+) and raffle (tickets available for purchase on race day). runsignup.com/Race/NH/Lincoln/ResMe5K

November 9
Manchester City Marathon, Manchester
26.2-mile, 13.1-mile, 5k run, 26.2-mile relay: This Boston Qualifier will give you a tour of NH’s largest city, just 45 minutes north of Boston. Starting in downtown Manchester, the course runs through the historic Millyard and the North End, and crosses over the Merrimack River to the Goffstown Rail Trail before returning downtown to finish. millenniumrunning.com/marathon

November 15
Girls on the Run 5K, Concord
5k: Each Girls on the Run season comes to an end with a celebratory 5k. This closing event gives program participants of all abilities a tangible sense of accomplishment. Crossing the finish line instills confidence through completion and is a joyful moment program participants always remember! Everyone in the program receives a commemorative medal to celebrate this achievement. girlsontherunnh.org/5k

November 24
Turkey Trot, Hanover
10k, 5k, kids run: The 10K race course is USATF-certified and co-sponsored by Stateline Sports. The 2024 10K race is also the final race in the Upper Valley Running Club Race Series. Races will begin and end on the Dartmouth Green. All Turkey Trot runners will be entered into a raffle for local prizes. Bring a food donation for the Upper Valley Haven and earn an extra raffle ticket! Runners dressed in their best turkey costume attire will earn another raffle ticket! hanovernh.org/728/Turkey-Trot-5K-10K-Road-Race

November 23
Novemberfest Race, Nashua
4 mile: The Novemberfest Race is a
festive 4-mile race through beautiful Mine Falls
Park in Nashua followed by a post-race party and raffle held at Martha’s Exchange Restaurant & Brewery. All entrants are eligible for the Children’s Home raffle where you are likely to win a prize. Purchase your first draft beer, and Martha’s Exchange will donate the cash payment to the Nashua Children’s Home. This event is hosted by the Gate City Striders with all the proceeds benefiting The Nashua Children’s Home. runsignup.com/Race/NH/Nashua/NovemberfestRace

November 27
Dover Turkey Trot, Dover
5k: The Dover Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving Day 5k race in Dover designed to be a fun event for runners, walkers, families and people of all ages and abilities. More than a decade, its mission has been to promote a healthy lifestyle and provide a sense of community while raising money for the Garrison School PTA. The race serves as the single largest fundraiser for the PTA annually and has been able to fund countless needs within Garrison Elementary School over the years. doverturkeytrot.com

November 27
Fisher Cats Thanksgiving Day 5k, Manchester
5k: There is a common START/FINISH line at Center Field inside the Delta Dental Stadium. The 3.1-mile course heads out on the Stadium to Commercial St and incorporates a loop through Manchester’s historic Millyard and returns to finish inside back at Center Field in the Stadium. There will also be a kids Lil’ Turkey Trot. millenniumrunning.com/thanksgiving

November 27
Lake Sunapee Turkey Trot, Sunapee
5k: Now in its 19th year, the Lake Sunapee Turkey Trot has become a wonderful family tradition for more than 800 racers. Grab your family and friends, throw on a costume (optional, but fun and highly encouraged), work off some calories, and make this great event a part of your Thanksgiving tradition. All proceeds go to the local Recreation Department. This year’s proceeds go toward improvements to Veterans Field on Route 11. sunapeeturkeytrot.com

December 6
Santa Claus Shuffle, Manchester
3 mile: Walk, jog or run and enjoy samples from Santa’s four major food groups at sweet stops along the route down Elm Street! A 3-mile out-and-back course that starts and finishes at Veteran’s Park in downtown Manchester.
Millenniumrunning.com/santa

December 6
Krampuslauf, Lyme

In central European culture, Krampus is a monster that punishes misbehaving children during Christmas time. Central European countries have long celebrated this holiday with Krampuslauf (Krampus Run) where people dress up as Krampus and run through the streets of town. Race Mozey brings this tradition to New England with a twist: 9-hour, 10k and 5k race options at Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme NH.
racemozey.com/krampuslauf

December 7
Jingle Bell Run, Concord, Northeast Delta Dental
5k: Get ready to celebrate the 41st year of Jingle Bell Run, the original festive race for charity brought to you by the Arthritis Foundation. Wear your favorite holiday gear, and let’s jingle all the way toward a cure!
events.arthritis.org/pages/10707?eventID=1875

December 14
Yule Light Up The Night, Loudon
2.1 mile: A run through the ‘Gift of Lights’ on the grounds of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
millenniumrunning.com/lights

January 1
Millennium Mile Road Race, Londonderry
1 mile: A point-to-point, downhill, 1-mile course for all ages and abilities starting on Mammoth Road in front of Londonderry High School. millenniumrunning.com/millenniummile/

January 1
New Year’s Peanut Butter Chip Chase, Temple
5k, kids run: For nearly 50 years, this race/walk has been a New Year’s Day tradition in Temple. This race is sponsored by the Souhegan Lions, who use the proceeds to help people in the towns of Temple, New Ipswich, Greenville, and Mason with sight and hearing needs, scholarships, and other causes. runsignup.com/Race/NH/Temple/NewYearsDayPeanutButterChipChase5KWalkorRun