Join Our Fall Festival 5k
...and #ReachBeyondTheFinishLine!

Led by Survivors. Backed by Community.

October 4, 2025
10am - 2pm
The Waltham Common

Goal: $20,000

Join REACH Beyond Domestic Violence as we run, walk, skip, jump, and roll towards a safer, healthier future for our communities!

We are so excited to be growing our annual Fall Festival to include a 5K race in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Participants will also help fundraise on behalf of REACH. However you move your body, we hope you'll be a part of the fun!

This is an opportunity to reach with survivors of domestic abuse by raising both awareness and critical donations to fuel REACH's life-saving programming. Spread the word within your community and ask them to reach with you!

In person 5K and Fundraising Registration: Participate as an individual or as a team and join us at Waltham Common on October 4, 2025 for race day! $40 registration fee required. Your personal fundraising page will be credited with your $40 upon registration.

Virtual 5K and Fundraising Registration: Can't make it to Waltham Common on October 4, but still want to support REACH? You can register as a Virtual Participant and still create your own personal or team fundraising page. Then, just plan to move your body through your own 5K on your own time in October. Virtual registration is free.

There is no fundraising minimum, but creating a personal fundraising page is required for all participants when they register, whether virtually or in person.

Please note, while there is a $40 fee to run/walk the race in person, Fall Festival is free to attend and open to all!

*We have a limited number of discounted in person bibs for our nonprofit and community partners. If you work for an organization that works with REACH and you're interested in participating, please email fallfestival@reachma.org.

Early Bib Pickups

To ensure that the 5k goes smoothly, we are offering early bib pickups on Friday, October 3 from 4:30pm - 8:30pm. Bibs will be available for pickup at Lizzy's Ice Cream which is in downtown Waltham, MA at 367 Moody Street. You'll find REACH representatives in the back room of Lizzy's. Come by to pick up your bib, indulge in some ice cream, and meet some of the folks that are making this year's event possible!

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Interested in partnering to help make our inaugural Fall Festival 5K a huge success? We have sponsorship opportunities available at various levels for both individuals and companies. Please contact development@reachma.org with questions or to discuss personalized sponsorship opportunities.

How Do I Start Fundraising?

When you register to participate in the 5K race, you will be asked to create a fundraising page. Each time someone donates to your page, you'll get credit and help us get even closer to our goal. Check out our "how-to" video at the top of this page for more information on how to get started. Or take a look at our toolkit for step-by-step instructions and many ways to engage friends and family in your fundraising efforts.

Even after the 5k concludes on October 4, you'll be able to keep fundraising throughout the rest of the month until October 31.

Looking to fundraise as a group from a local business, school, or club, we also have a great Team Captain Guide to help you get started!

Race & Route Information

The race will be about 3.1 miles. It will start and end at the Waltham Common, with participants largely traveling along the Charles River.
The race will begin at 10am and end at 12pm (once the race is over, participants are also encouraged to attend the main Fall Festival, which will remain at the Waltham Common until 2pm).
Race participants can check in and pick up their bibs starting at 8:00am on the day of the race (Oct. 4)
All race participants will gather at the Waltham Common at 9:30am so that the race can start promptly at 10am.
The race will commence in two "waves" (one timed, one untimed). If you're participating in the 5k, please fill out this form so we know which wave to group you with.
A map detailing the race route is available below

5k Prizes

All in-person 5k participants will receive a special REACH medal at the end of the race.
Participants who fundraise at least $250 by the day of the race will receive a REACH t-shirt along with their bib.
Once fundraising closes on October 31, the top five fundraisers will be invited in for lunch at the REACH office to meet key staff and see how their funds are directly supporting survivors. They will each also receive a $25 gift card to J.P. Licks Ice Cream.

About Fall Festival

REACH's Fall Festival began with a group of community members who identified the need to get to know our neighbors, because simple connections to one another can be a powerful resource for those experiencing domestic violence. Since then, the festival has been community-driven and continues to be community-led.

Last year, we had over 350 attendees. This year, we are grateful to be able to unite again with our community of partners, donors, organizations, and supporters as we stand with survivors and share resources. We will have great music, engaging arts and crafts, fun games, food, and amazing local vendors for attendees to enjoy.

Fall Festival is free to attend and open to all!

Stay up to date by following us on social media. We will be sharing leaderboards, donor matches, prize opportunities, and so much more!

#ThisIsHowIReach

#ReachBeyondTheFinishLine

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

Trailblazer

Donation Made In Memory of Jeannine Peabody
With Love from Jess, Colleen and Ryan

Champion

Pacesetter

Sprinter

Questions about race day or fall festival event logistics? Email fallfestival@reachma.org

Questions about fundraising? Email development@reachma.org

REACH's Fall Festival 5k

Run, walk, skip, jump, or roll towards the finish line and help fundraise on behalf of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence. Click the "REGISTER" button below to get started!