8th Annual Cinco de Mayo 5K

The 8th Annual Cinco de Mayo 5K 2026 is a signature community trail race held at the AD Makepeace property in Wareham, Massachusetts. Scheduled for Sunday, May 3, 2026, with a start time of 9:00 AM EDT, the event is organized by the Kiwanis Club of Bourne-Wareham. The course is unique in that nearly 100% of the route consists of well-groomed, unpaved trails that wind directly around active cranberry bogs, providing a quintessential New England landscape for participants. All proceeds from the event benefit the Kiwanis Club’s charitable foundation, which supports local community programs in the Bourne and Wareham areas.

The race is designed to be inclusive for all ages and fitness levels, though it maintains a "no dogs" policy to ensure the safety of participants and the integrity of the agricultural trails. Running strollers are welcome but are asked to start at the back of the pack.

Wareham is a coastal town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, often called the "Gateway to Cape Cod," with a population of approximately 23,000 residents. It is a major hub for the cranberry industry, housing the headquarters of AD Makepeace, the world's largest cranberry grower. Demographically, Wareham is approximately 82.3% White/European, 6.8% Black/African American, 4.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian, with a significant Cape Verdean community that has influenced the town's cultural fabric for generations. The median household income is roughly $76,000 USD.

The local culture is defined by maritime history and agricultural heritage. Life in Wareham is centered around the water and the seasonal cycles of the cranberry harvest. The Kiwanis Club of Bourne-Wareham plays a central role in the town's social safety net, and the Cinco de Mayo 5K has become a staple spring event that brings together year-round residents before the summer tourist season begins. The AD Makepeace trails are a prized local asset, offering a rare opportunity for the public to traverse private agricultural lands. This race reflects the community's commitment to preserving its rural character while fostering a culture of active, outdoor philanthropy that supports the next generation of local students and families.

Participants can expect a flat but textured course that offers panoramic views of the water-filled bogs and surrounding pine barrens. The atmosphere is festive and community-oriented, with the "Cinco de Mayo" theme adding a celebratory layer to the morning's athletic pursuits. By 9:00 AM on May 3rd, the Tihonet Road area will be a hub of local activity, as runners and walkers navigate the sandy soil and gravel paths that characterize the South Shore landscape. The event concludes with an awards ceremony that recognizes a wide range of participants, from the youngest children to the "80+" category, highlighting the cross-generational appeal of this regional tradition.