Charles River Marathon

Charles River Marathon takes place in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 2, 2027. Despite the name, the format listed for this edition is a 5-kilometer race, 3.1 miles, run in the heart of the city. The route covers an urban stretch close to the lakes and ponds of the area, giving you a glimpse of the mix of historic and modern that defines the capital of Massachusetts.

Check the distance carefully before you register, because a race named for the marathon that offers a 5K catches people out. Taken for what it is, a city 5K in early May is a fine spring target: short enough to race hard on modest mileage, and forgiving enough that walking a section costs you little. Four to six weeks of running three times a week, with one session of faster repetitions, covers the preparation. Warm up thoroughly, as a 5K is over before a slow starter has found their rhythm.