Western Greenway 5K - Waltham Land Trust

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the Western Greenway 5K on Sunday, October 25, 2026!

*** 2026 RESULTS ARE AVAILABLE HERE***

Save the Date: The Western Greenway 5K is held annually on the last Sunday in October.

The 2026 race has been run. Thanks to all who participated! We'll follow DCR's progress on the bridge and let folks know what to expect in 2027 as soon as we have more information.

Important Route Update as of October 15, 2026

We’re getting ready for the Western Greenway 5K on Sunday, October 25 at noon, and we have a change to share: the race route has been updated. While we applied for a permit in May, DCR only recently informed us that they have concerns about the condition of the footbridge over Beaver Brook leading into Rock Meadow. We've tried out several options (shout out to Brody Langille and the other Waltham Trail Runners for their help!) and determined the following is the best balance of trail conditions, safety, accuracy of distance, and trying to stay true to the prior route where we could. We apologize for the change of route this close to race day, but it was truly unavoidable. Please review the new route before race day, especially if you’ve run this race in the past. You can also review the course on Strava if you have an account.

Race day details

Race: Sunday, October 25 at 12:00 pm
Monster Dash for kids 10 and under: 11:30 am
Bib pickup: Saturday, October 24, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co., 411 Waverley Oaks Rd. You can also pick up your bib at the registration tent on race day. Please arrive early if you do.

Celebrate Halloween with a spooktacular day on the trails! The Waltham Land Trust invites you to celebrate Halloween in the best way possible — moving through nature, in costume (if it’s safe to run in), and helping protect Waltham’s beautiful open spaces.

Since 2013, our Western Greenway 5K has brought together people of all ages to enjoy the 5K (3.1 mile) course of gorgeous fall scenery. The course winds through Beaver Brook North Reservation and Rock Meadow, with stunning views of cattail marshes, forests, vernal pools, and open meadows.

Going forward the Land Trust is planning to host the event annually on the last Sunday in October at 12:00pm (noon), subject to permitting requirements from Waltham, Belmont, and DCR. Please save the date.

NEW since 2025! 🦇 The Monster Dash!

Before the main race kicks off, kids ages 10 and under can join our Monster Dash at 11:30 am — a quick, fun sprint where every child gets a small treat for participating. Free for children who attend with an adult running the 5K, $5 suggested donation otherwise. Perfect for little ghosts and goblins who want in on the action!

Want to run with your friends? Sign up together under one team name!

T-shirts for the first 100 runners to register and all race sponsors!

Advanced bib pickup will be at Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. 411 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham, from 11:00 am to 1:00pm on Saturday, October 24th. You can also pickup your bib on raceday at the registration tent near the McLaughlin Building on Metropolitan Parkway North. Please arrive early if you intend to pick up your bib the day of the race.

Online registration will close at midnight on the Thursday before the race. Additional registrations are always welcome, but there is an additional $5 fee to register at bib pickup, or the morning of the race. Because WLT relies on the proceeds from the race to fund its work and we expend certain costs, race registrations are not refundable.

To get your Land Trust member discount, your membership must be up to date and you must login to your account when you go to register for the event. If you forgot your login name or your password, go to iforgot.walthamlandtrust.org.

Every year we need volunteers to help with tasks like checking the race route and handing out water and snacks. Interested in volunteering? Email Anna Richardson at arichardson@walthamlandrust.org.

Remember that everyone who registers has a chance to win a prize!

We'll have leftovers after the top finishers make their selections that we'll offer to lucky bib number wearers the week after the race. Prizes include tons of gift cards from Bistro 781, Craft Food Hall, Deep Ellum, Fiorella's, Jake n JOES, JC Kitchen, Joco's, John Brewer's, Maple + High, Margaritas, Not Your Average Joe's, Outer Limits, Penzeys Spices, Pho & Spice, Target, and Wagon Wheel Farm Stand, plus EXOspikes for trail running, passes for a free day of paddling with Boston Paddle, and WLT’s own nature guidebooks to Prospect Hill Park & Cedar Hill.