10 Mile

The Western Mass 10 Mile is a fast, net-downhill course starting in the heart of UMass Amherst’s campus. It continues on local roads into downtown Amherst before entering onto the Norwottuck Rail Trail just after mile 2. The course follows the trail through the town of Hadley with iconic views of the surrounding Holyoke Range and the Connecticut River Valley. It crosses over the Northampton Lattice Truss Bridge, providing breathtaking views from heights above the mighty Connecticut River. Runners finally make their way into downtown Northampton for an exciting finish at the historic Union Station.

The course is certified by USATF. Click here for route details on course certification MA22021JK. Read more about why GPS readings may measure differently here.

COURSE

The Western Mass 10 & 2-Person Relay races will start together on Massachusetts Avenue, adjacent to Haigis Mall, on UMass Amherst’s campus, and will consist of one corral with “Self Seed” pace per mile signs to assist with participant spacing.

Note: the NoHo 5K will start in a separate location, adjacent to the finish line in Northampton.

Click here for a detailed, downloadable Course Map

Para Athletes and Course Suitability:
Click here for more details and suggested events for wheelchairs.

COURSE SUPPORT

MARKINGS:

  • Yellow signs with blue arrows mark all turns.
  • All mile points are marked on the road/trail and with signs
  • Timing mats at finish line and mile 5
  • Clocks at finish line and along the course

AMENITIES:

  • Hydration (Water & UCAN Hydrate)
    • Pre/Post race & miles 2.7 / 5 / 6.9 / 8.9
    • Open cup service, handed out at arms length
    • Participants are encouraged to carry their own fluids
  • UCAN Edge Energy Gel: available to take in pre-race area
    • Please discard at water stations – DO NOT LITTER COURSE
  • Fleet Feet Hartford Pace Teams, a free service to help participants achieve goal finish time. Details
  • Portalets: Pre/Post race & along the course
  • Medical personnel
  • Event alert system notifications in the pre-race area and at each water station. More...

DIVISIONS & AWARDS

EVENT RECORDS:
Male: 51:35 – set by Andrew McCann in 2022
Female: 58:14 – set by Jenna Gigliotti in 2023

DIVISIONS:

  • Top 3 Overall Male and Female
  • Male Age Group – 12-14, and 5-year age groups from 15-80+
  • Female Age Group – 12-14, and 5-year age groups from 15-80+
  • Clydesdale (men 200+lbs.)
  • Athena (women 150+lbs.)
  • Nonbinary/Genderqueer More…

  • Para Athletes More…

AWARDS:

  • Commemorative Awards to the Top 3 in Each Division
  • Overall awards based on gun time, all others awarded on chip time
  • No “double dipping”
  • To collect an award after race day, click here

LOCAL LEGEND:

  • New in 2025! Special Awards will be presented to the first Overall Male & Female Finisher from Amherst, Hadley, or Northampton, MA
    • This award may be “double dipped” with the divisional awards above

This event is timed by Bay State Race Services and uses the B-Tag timing system (timing chip is attached to the back of the race bib). Please wear the race bib on the front of the shirt.

COURSE LIMITS & REQUIREMENTS

Course limit is 2 hours and 20 minutes for the Western Mass 10. To finish within these time limits you must maintain a pace of approximately 14:00 minutes per mileMore…

Participants must be at least 12 years of age on race day to enter the 10 Mile.

NOT ALLOWED ON THE COURSE:

  • No dogs (service dogs must be identified as such at all times)
  • No unregistered runners or walkers
  • Headphones discouraged
  • No bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, or motorized vehicles

Note: Baby Jogger/Strollers are NOT permitted in the 10 Mile or 2-Person Relay, but will be allowed in the 5K race, please see details on the stroller policy HERE.

OUR RACE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROSITY OF THESE PARTNERS