Sun, Apr 4, 2027

Black Cat 5K, 10 & 20 Miler

Salem, MA

Registration openAnnual since at least 2020
10 Miles20 Miles5K

Entry is $35 now and rises to $40 after Dec 31, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

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About the Black Cat 5K, 10 & 20 Miler

The course runs through Salem's historic streets and out into Marblehead, so there is genuine scenery to carry you along. The longer distance is a double loop of the shorter route, which makes it a popular tune-up for Boston. The terrain is road running through old neighborhoods, and aid stations carry water and sports drink, with fuel and bathrooms at the turnaround.

Packet pickup runs the afternoon before at B&S Fitness, the same facility that serves as race headquarters, with race-morning pickup available early for those who cannot make it the day prior. After finishing, the building opens for a catered spread: hot soup, breakfast items, fresh fruit, and baked goods. A local coffee outfit sets up outside with espresso and cold brew.

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Black Cat 5K, 10 & 20 Miler 2026 Results

Going by the 2026 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

10 Miles Results · 2026

185finishers
1:01:12winner
1:38:18median
3:18:06cutoff

Top 3: Max Acree (1:01:12) · Mark Rosani (1:01:49) · Patrick Brickley (1:01:49)

20 Miles Results · 2026

91finishers
2:03:54winner
2:59:47median
3:46:18cutoff

Top 3: David Plotkin (2:03:54) · JASON BUI (2:15:16) · William Keefe (2:18:57)

The Black Cat 5K, 10 & 20 Miler has been held every year since at least 2020. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 10 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Nov 12, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

10 Miles4/4/2027 08:00$75
20 Miles4/4/2027 08:00$85
3.12 Miles4/4/2027 08:00$35

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Salem — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.

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Common Questions About the Black Cat 5K, 10 & 20 Miler

Will I finish last at the Black Cat 5K, 10 & 20 Miler?

Almost certainly not. Half the 10 Miles field finished slower than 1:38:18, and the last recorded finisher came in around 3:18:06, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Black Cat 5K, 10 & 20 Miler a good first 10 Miles?

It is a small race (185 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 10 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Black Cat 5K, 10 & 20 Miler?

The 10 Miles winner ran 1:01:12 while the median finisher took 1:38:18. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.

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