Half marathon to be hosted in Worcester for 1st time in 10 years. What to know

WORCESTER – For the first time in a decade, a half marathon will be hosted in Worcester.

The United Way of Central Massachusetts, a nonprofit that partners with other nonprofits to support education, family stability and health, announced Sunday the creation of a new half marathon called The Mass Half.

The Mass Half will take place in spring, 2027 and registration begins in October 2026, according to the announcement. Other details, such as the race date, route and sponsorships, will be revealed in the coming months, the announcement reads. One thing that was revealed was the start: The Mass Half will begin at Polar Park at 100 Madison St., according to the half marathon’s website.

“For more than 100 years, United Way of Central Massachusetts has brought people together to solve our community’s toughest challenges. The Mass Half is a natural extension of that mission,” said United Way of Central Massachusetts President and CEO Tim Garvin. “We’re not just launching a race, we’re building a community tradition that celebrates Central Massachusetts, supports local nonprofits, strengthens our local economy, and demonstrates what’s possible when people come together around a shared purpose.”

Christy Kosak, manager of corporate and institutional partnerships for United Way, has been working to put the half marathon together. She told MassLive the project is a culmination of her passions, including fitness, community building and philanthropy.

“Whether someone is running their first half marathon, volunteering, fundraising for a local nonprofit, or cheering from the sidelines, we want everyone to feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves,” Kosak said. “My hope is that The Mass Half becomes an annual tradition that showcases everything that makes this region special while strengthening our community for years to come.”

This is the first time Worcester will see a half marathon since 2017. That year, the half marathon took place at the Worcester Running Festival. The following year, however, the event was postponed due to a lack of sponsorships. Since then, a half marathon hasn’t returned to Worcester.

Kosak previously told MassLive she estimates 2,500 runners will take part in the upcoming half marathon.

BY: Adam Bass, Mass Live