Fitness Within's 4th Annual
OPERATION RUN TO HEAL 5K
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2026 | MEMORIAL PARK | READING, MA
ONE MISSION. ONE COMMUNITY. ONE UNFORGETABLE RACE DAY!
Run it. Walk it. Ruck it. Build a team and take on the mission together.
RACE DAY AT A GLANCE
TIME | EVENT | |
| 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Race-day packet pickup and same-day registration | |
| 1:00 PM | Opening Ceremony | |
| 1:30 PM | Operation Run To Heal 5K starts | |
| Post-race beer garden celebration at Reading Common |
A 5K WITH A GREATER MISSION
Operation Run To Heal is back for its fourth year - and this year, we are bringing even more of our community to the starting line. Fitness Within is proud to once again partner with the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce for a race-day experience built around fitness, community, and a mission that matters.
Together, we will rally support for the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Berets, their families, and Gold Star Families it serves nationwide.
Whether you are chasing a personal record, taking on your first 5K, walking with friends, or carrying a ruck in honor of those who serve, there is a place for you at the starting line. Register on your own - or make race day even more meaningful by building a team.
CALLING ALL LOCAL GYMS & FITNESS STUDIOS
Your community already trains together. On October 17, give them a mission to complete together.
Create a team, rally your members, represent your gym or studio, and line up beside fitness communities from across the area. Show up in your colors. Bring your energy. Add a little friendly competition. Then cross the finish line knowing every team helped make the mission bigger.
BUILD YOUR TEAM. REPRESENT YOUR COMMUNITY. COMPLETE THE MISSION TOGETHER.
CREATE A TEAM & SAVE $5 PER RUNNER
Want to take on the race with your gym, fitness studio, workplace, family, or crew? Create a team during registration, and you plus every runner who joins your team will automatically save $5 at checkout.
Building a team is fast, simple, and one of the best ways to make race day more memorable.
How to create your gym or studio team
- Click the Register button on this page.
- Complete your participant details and select your race or registration option.
- Scroll down to the Teams section.
- Select "Yes, create a new team and add me to it."
- Choose "FUNDRAISING TEAM" from the category dropdown menu.
- Enter your team name - for example, North Shore Strength or Apex Yoga Studio. You may also add an optional password if you want to keep the team private.
- Complete checkout. Your $5 team discount will be applied automatically at the payment screen.
Once checkout is complete, your team is live and you are officially the Team Captain.
HOW TO INVITE MEMBERS TO JOIN YOUR TEAM
- Check your inbox. Race Roster will send a registration confirmation email containing your Unique Team Link.
- Share your link everywhere. Email it to members, post it in your member Facebook group, share it on social media, or text it directly to clients, coworkers, friends, and family.
- Keep building momentum. Encourage teammates to invite others, post training updates, and let your community know who they will be representing on race day.
If someone does not have your Unique Team Link
They can still join in a few quick steps: click Register on this page, scroll to the Teams section, select "Yes, add me to an existing team," search for your team name, and complete checkout.
EVERY RUNNER WHO JOINS YOUR TEAM SAVES $5 AUTOMATICALLY
WALK - RUN - RUCK
Take your time. Chase a personal record. Carry a ruck and experience the challenge in a way that honors our brave service members. However you choose to move, we will complete the mission together.
WHAT YOUR IN-PERSON REGISTRATION INCLUDES
- A chip-timed Operation Run To Heal 5K.
- An official Operation Run To Heal race shirt.
- A limited-edition Operation Run To Heal dog tag finisher medal.
- One complimentary beer ticket for registered participants age 21+ (valid ID required at packet pickup).
- Access to the post-race celebration featuring local brews, food, music, games, and fun for all ages.
VIRTUAL 5K
Cannot join us in Reading? You can still complete the mission from anywhere with the Operation Run To Heal Virtual 5K. Virtual finishers will receive a limited-edition Operation Run To Heal dog tag finisher medal.
THE ULTIMATE POST-RACE CELEBRATION
The finish line is only the beginning. After the race, head over to Reading Common for our post-race beer garden celebration from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, presented in partnership with the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce.
Celebrate with teammates, friends, and family while enjoying local brews, delicious food, music, games, and an incredible community atmosphere. The celebration is open to all ages; alcoholic beverages are available only to guests age 21+ with valid ID.
BUILD YOUR TEAM. CHOOSE YOUR MISSION. REGISTER NOW.
Every mile matters. Every teammate adds energy. Every registration helps us rally support for a greater mission.
IMPORTANT EVENT DETAILS
- Same-day registration and packet pickup will be available at Memorial Park from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
- Follow the event's Facebook page for the latest race-day updates.
- This is a rain or shine event.
- All registrations are nonrefundable.
Follow our Facebook Page for the latest updates!
Event schedule
- Fri, October 16, 2026 9:00 AM - 7:00pm - Race Packet Pickup at Fitness Within, 545 Main Street, Reading, MA
- Sat, October 17, 2026 11:00 AM - Race-day Packet Pickup and Same-Day Registration at Memorial Park, 53 Harrison Street, Reading, MA
- Sat, October 17, 2026 1:00 PM - Opening Ceremony
- Sat, October 17, 2026 1:30 PM - Race Starts
- Sat, October 17, 2026 2:00 PM - Post-Race Beer Garden Celebration
Registration fees
Where pricing applies, shown amounts include mandatory charges, items, and fees.
5k Registration - Ages 21+
Registration includes race entry, athletic race shirt, 5k dog tag finisher medal, and a FREE Beer Ticket.
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Register for 5k Registration - Ages 21+$65.00Sep 5 - Oct 16
5k Registration - Ages 13 to 20
Registration includes race entry, athletic race shirt, and 5k dog tag finisher medal.
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Register for 5k Registration - Ages 13 to 20$65.00Sep 5 - Oct 16
5k Registration - Ages 12 and Under
Registration includes race entry, athletic race shirt, and 5k dog tag finisher medal.
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Register for 5k Registration - Ages 12 and Under$55.00Sep 5 - Oct 16
5k Registration - Veterans & Active Duty Ages 21+
This registration is for veterans and active duty only. Registration includes race entry, athletic race shirt, 5k dog tag finisher medal, and a FREE Beer Ticket.
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Register for 5k Registration - Veterans & Active Duty Ages 21+$55.00Sep 5 - Oct 16
5k Registration - Veterans & Active Duty Under 21
This registration is for Veterans and Active Duty only. Registration includes race entry, athletic race shirt, and a 5k dog tag finisher medal.
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Register for 5k Registration - Veterans & Active Duty Under 21$55.00Sep 5 - Oct 16
Virtual 5k Registration
This registration includes a finisher dog tag medal. Shipping is FREE!
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Register for Virtual 5k Registration$55.00Sep 5 - Oct 16
Our Charitable Organization
GREEN BERET FOUNDATION
The Green Beret Foundation serves the Army's Special Forces, our nation's most elite soldiers. We believe Green Berets are our nation's greatest assets. At the Green Beret Foundation, we honor our commitment to Green Berets past and present by providing Special Forces Soldiers and their families with emergency, immediate, and ongoing support.
To learn more about the Green Beret Foundation and how your participation in this race supports Green Berets and 5-star families you can visit them at GREEN BERET FOUNDATION
5k Route
Runners Packet Pickup
Runner Packets: Includes T-shirt, Bib # with 4 Safety Pins, Race Map, Beer Ticket (21+ only), and sponsor swag. Receive your dog tag finisher medal at the finish line.
Pickup Date/Time: Friday, October 16, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m
Pickup Location: Fitness Within, 545 Main Street, Reading, MA
Race Day Packet Pickup Date/Time: Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 11:00am to 1:00pm
Race Day Packet Pickup Location: Memorial Park, 53 Harrison Street, Reading, MA (near the corner of Charles & Harrison)
**Same Day Registration & Packet Pick-up is permitted and can be done at the Race Day Packet Pickup Location
Parking and Road Closure
Parking is available in these locations:
- On Harrison Street between Main Street and Orange Street,
- On Charles Street
- There is also a small parking lot off Salem Street.
Parking in Reading, MA, is only regulated Monday-Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Parking is available on Main Street, and many of the residential streets.
Road Closures:
Harrison Avenue between Charles Street and Orange Street between 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
In-town Parking:
The following two lots are now paid lots via a kiosk.
Free 1st hour, $1.00 up to 4 hours, and then $5.00 per hour.
- Upper Municipal Lot (lot behind CVS)
- The Brande Court Lot (the Old Atlantic parking lot)
Contact information
- Event contact
- Domenic Prisco
- Phone
- 781-942-2919
Countdown to event
Total raised
Total raised by team category
Fundraising team
View fundraising rankings for Fundraising team team category
