Name: Great Bear Run
Start: 2026-05-17
End: 2026-05-17
Location: Needham, Massachusetts

About the Event

GREAT BEAR RUN - EVENT INFO

IMPORTANT! GREAT BEAR RUN RACE INSTRUCTIONS

SCHEDULE

5K Run - 10 am - all ages
1 Mile Run - 11:45 am - all ages
1 Mile Fun Run - 11:47 am - all ages
26.2 Meter Bearathon - 12:30 pm - age 0-3
100 Meter Dash - 12:45 pm - age 4-5
200 Meter Dash - 1:00 pm - age 6
400 Meter Run - 1:15 pm - age 7-12

YOUR ARRIVAL - Arrive at least 45-60 minutes before your race at Pollard School, 200 Harris Ave, Needham 02492

RACE WEEKEND REGISTRATIONS - We recommend bringing a phone for in-person registrations(via a QR Code). Registration (and packet pickup) is held at Pollard Middle School on Saturday 10 am - 12 pm & Sunday starting at 8 am!

5K COURSE- Our course is a USATF Certified & Sanctioned 5K.

WATER TABLE- There will be a water table at the 2 Mile point in the race

GETTING HERE

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO DEFAZIO FIELD

- Take route 95 to Exit 32 - Dedham Ave
- Turn onto MA-135 W/Dedham Ave toward Needham
- Turn RIGHT into De Fazio Field, 380 Dedham Ave, Needham

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO POLLARD SCHOOL

- Take route 95 to Exit 33 - Great Plain Ave.
- Turn onto Great Plain Ave toward Needham
- Turn LEFT onto Harris Ave (divided street) at Hazel's Bakery
- Proceed to Pollard School, 200 Harris Ave, Needham

PARKING - Needham Residents: We suggest walking or running to Pollard this year due to higher-than-usual registration numbers.

For anyone that is driving please park your car on any side street off Harris - one-side parking only. Parking is also available at DeFazio Field - just walk through the field under the railroad bridge and go to the front of Pollard School.

NO PARKING on Harris Ave from Great Plain Ave to Bradford Steet;
NO PARKING on Bradford Street between Harris Ave and Dedham Ave.

WEATHER - The race is held rain or shine. Consider bringing a water bottle to the race.

REFRESHMENTS - Fruit, snacks, and water/Gatorade will be provided. Pizza for sale $4 per slice.

More Races! More Awards! More Fun! More Teddy Bears!

Races Offered

5K Run

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:00

sell

$39.00

5K Run and 1M Run

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:00

sell

$54.00

1M Run

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — 1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

11:45

sell

$39.00

1M Fun Run - not timed

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — 1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

11:47

sell

$39.00

Tiny Tot Bearathon (ages 0-3)

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — 26.2m

terrain

Type — Running

timer

12:30

sell

$29.00

100 Meter Run (ages 4-5)

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — 100m

terrain

Type — Running

timer

12:45

sell

$29.00

200 Meter Run (age 6)

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — 200m

terrain

Type — Running

timer

13:00

sell

$29.00

400 Meter Run (age 7-12)

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — 400m

terrain

Type — Running

timer

13:15

sell

$29.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Needham.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 9.8° / 20.5°

wb_sunny 7.2° / 18.3°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 11.4 /

water_drop 70.9%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 9.8° / 20.5°

wb_sunny 7.2° / 18.3°

air 11.4 km/h

water_drop 70.9%

About Needham

Needham is a town in Massachusetts, near Boston with a population of 32,000 (2020). Home to Olin College, it features a number of upscale and ethnic restaurants have turned it into a rather unlikely culinary destination.