Hill Thrill 5k or 10 Mile Road Race (Michelle Benedetti Scholarship Fund)

Lace up for a meaningful and memorable challenge at the Hill Thrill 5k or 10 Mile Road Race, returning to Haverhill, MA, on Sunday, March 29, 2026. This inspiring event, now in its 5th year, honors the legacy of Michelle Benedetti, an avid runner and dedicated advocate for children, with all proceeds funding four annual scholarships for deserving Haverhill High School students. Choose your challenge: the 5K course offers an engaging run with rolling hills, perfect for seasoned runners and avid walkers alike. For those seeking a greater test, the 10-mile route presents a "nice tempo run" for marathon training, featuring a relatively flat first seven miles before culminating in "big hills" over the final three, living up to its "HaverHILL fashion" name.

The race kicks off at 10:00 AM from Haverhill High School at 137 Monument Street, with typical race day conditions seeing highs around 50°F and lows around 30°F, and a 16% chance of precipitation, making for invigorating spring running weather. Participants will enjoy a fantastic race experience that has drawn over 400 registrations in previous years, with many runners complimenting the thoughtful course layout. Every finisher receives a custom die-cast Ashworth award medallion and a participant t-shirt.

The camaraderie continues post-race at the lively afterparty hosted at Maria's Restaurant on Essex Street, where prizes are distributed to the top three male and female finishers across multiple age brackets. By participating in the Hill Thrill, you're not only pushing your limits on a well-regarded road course but also contributing directly to the future of Haverhill's youth through the Michelle Benedetti Memorial Scholarship Fund.