Chilly Willy Half Marathon, 10K & 5K (MA)
Seekonk, MA
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Come join the annual Chilly Willy running festival half marathon/5k/10k on New Year’s Day at the Seekonk High School in Seekonk, MA. The 5k and 10k are flat and fast. The half marathon is New England flat with some rolling hills. The half marathon is a certified course. The 5k … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Jan 01):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 32 | 51 | 41 | 52 | 54 |
| L (°F) | 14 | 37 | 26 | 38 | 45 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
It is what it is
Local race, 200ish signed up, 150 finished. Hosted at a local high school, so good parking. We were able to use the restrooms before the race. Started promptly. No frills--did … MORE
Local race, 200ish signed up, 150 finished. Hosted at a local high school, so good parking. We were able to use the restrooms before the race. Started promptly. No frills–did have SecondWind chip timing, but no pomp and circumstance, local race format.
The weather was awful. Whiteout conditions, which were manifestly unsafe given this was an “open” course with minimal road closures, lack of cones on the shoulder. However, police were present to facilitate safe crossing of a main road. There were simple “arrow” signs and about 4 aid stations with 2(ish?) portapotty stops, and understandably some unmanned aid stations.
The first three miles were not too bad. We can’t control the weather, but I do feel as if the race coordinator made somewhat of an irresponsible call by not cancelling the morning of with 3″ of snow and deteriorating conditions. I understand we sign the life away when we sign the waiver, but honestly, I would consider skipping this again next year because of this experience. I cannot speak for others but I would not have been upset if the race was postponed to Saturday/Sunday. People around me and myself included were slipping and falling. I cannot fathom why this local race could have just been rescheduled for the following day.
The same small(ish) spinner finisher medal for half and 10k participants, and was underwhelming. No volunteers at the end, greeted with your medal still in the plastic, cold pizza, and a local non-profit offering hot chocolate. The high school locked out the participants (from what I could tell) so no bathrooms available after the race.
I believe Ocean State Multisport runs this course a few times throughout the year for their series, and despite the weather, the course could be fun in “normal” conditions. One decent climb in the middle, and rolling hills at the end. If convenient, I would consider doing their “crabby” one in the summer. For the chilly willy, skip it and sit this one out.