Sun, Nov 8, 2026

2026 Hawk Trot

Melrose, MA

Registration openAnnual since at least 2025

About the 2026 Hawk Trot

This is a hilly cross-country course, the home course for the Melrose High School XC teams, and the terrain shows it. Expect real climbs and uneven ground underfoot rather than a road-race surface. Strollers are not recommended, which tells you something about what you are getting into. The proceeds go directly to the XC programs.

Parking is in a lot off Sylvan Street. After the race, water and light snacks are set up for finishers. Awards cover overall top finishers across gender categories as well as age group winners.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

3.1 Miles · 2025 results

71finishers

20:03winner

30:43median

49:32cutoff

Top 3: Will Dugan (20:03) · Nathan Pierce (20:27) · Ryan Ahern (21:04)

The 2026 Hawk Trot has been held every year since at least 2025. 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 3.1 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 Sep 22, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

3.1 Miles11/8/2026 09:00$30

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.

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Common Questions About the 2026 Hawk Trot

Will I finish last at the 2026 Hawk Trot?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 30:43, and the last recorded finisher came in around 49:32, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the 2026 Hawk Trot a good first 3.1 Miles?

It is a small race (71 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 3.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the 2026 Hawk Trot?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 20:03 while the median finisher took 30:43. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.