Happy as a Clam 5K Race, Walk & Fun Dashes
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Happy as a Clam 5K Race, Walk & Fun Dashes
The Happy as a Clam event is a community fundraiser organized by the Friends of Essex Elementary School. The 17th edition is scheduled for September 18, 2026, at Essex Elementary School in Essex, MA. The main event is a 5K that begins and ends at the school and follows scenic local roads. The roads remain open during the race and participants are asked to be vigilant; headphones are discouraged and strollers are permitted.
Registration is required for runners and walkers. Kids' Fun Dash registration is free. Team registration has been offered since 2022, with a special team prize and registration discounts for teams. Shirt availability: a long sleeve technical shirt is guaranteed to participants who register by August 23, 2026. Additional merchandise is available for purchase.
Prizes include a $100 gift card for the first male and first female 5K finishers and a $200 gift card for the top team (top three times count). Packet pickup details are to be determined. Restrooms are available inside the school gymnasium.
Parking is available in school lots at 12 Story Street and on nearby side streets; additional parking is located behind Essex Town Hall, about a half mile from the start. The event also includes measured dash distances for young children and a Clam Cup awarded to the class with the highest participation percentage. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
