New Year's Day Races, Running Group Runs Across MA

WALTHAM, MA — It's going to be sunny on New Year's Day in Massachusetts compared with years past. So why not start 2020 off on the right foot with those resolutions?

There are several First Day races happening across the state including:

Marshfield RoadRunners' Marathon & Half Marathon

• Cost: Free
• Where: Marshfield High School
• When: Register at 8 a.m. start 9 a.m.

This is of the oldest no-frills marathons in the area, and now has a half-marathon option, too. The course is USATF certified, Boston Marathon qualifying with a double loop through the wooded, rolling streets of Marshfield. Yes, this is the course that Yuki Kawauchi ran and broke a world record on two years ago before he went on to win the Boston Marathon.

There will be a time cut off for marathon at half-way mark based on Boston Marathon qualifying times for age of competitors. And according to its website: Registration is day of only.

Needham New Year's Day 5K

• Cost: $25
• Where: Needham YMCA Pool Building at 863 Great Plain Ave
• Time: Registration opens at 9 a.m., race starts at 11 a.m.
• Online Registration - at RaceWire.com.

The Needham Running Club's New Year's Day 5K run will benefit the YMCA, Needham Cultural Council and a local charity. Food, sports drinks, water and raffle prizes at race end.

The 11th Annual Lowell First Run 5K/10K

• Cost: $40/$50 race day.
• Where: 1001 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell, MA 01854
• Time: Race starts at 11 a.m.

Participants receive a finisher medal, commemorative hat and gloves, and access to the after-party with food, music, and, as if you didn't have enough the night before: adult beverages.

Here's a look at others in Salisbury, Seekonk, Woburn, Sterling, Westfield and Danvers.

• Boston Running Race Calendar - 2020 | RunGuides.com

Looking for something a little less official?

Try these run club runs that are meeting Jan. 1, 2020:

Boston Road Runners

• Distance: 4-5 miles
• Cost: Free
• Pace: All paces are welcome
• Time: 10 a.m.
• Where: Meet at Under Armour Store in Copley Square. Run starts at 10:10 a.m.

Head to Brunch with your fellow runners after, around 11 a.m. Fill out their waiver. This group also meets Monday nights and Saturday mornings.

Waltham Trail Runners

• Distance: You choose
• Cost: Free
• Pace: All paces welcome
• Time: 9 a.m.
• Where: Meet at Brueggars Bagels at 2050 Comm Ave. Newton

The plan is to run the Boston Marathon route along the Carriage Road in the Newton Hills along Comm Ave. This run is a down and back so you can choose your distance.

November Project Boston

• What: Run (or walk) Harvard Stadium
• Cost: Free
• Pace: All paces welcome.
• Time: Every Wednesday at 5:30 am and 6:30 am – Rain or Shine
• Where: Wednesdays in lower Allston, Harvard Stadium

There are 37 sections in this horseshoe shaped stadium, or about 1147 concrete seats that runners tackle every week. Sections are separated by regular size stairs between the sections. They run up the big steps (stadium seats with no chairs) and come down the small steps. This group also meets every Monday and Friday. All of their workouts are free.