HopNews
HopNews sat down with Ted McNulty, VP of the Hopkinton Running Club (HRC), to discuss its Couch to 5K program. Here’s what we found out:
Running can feel intimidating when you do not know where to start. The HRC wants to change that. Its Couch to 5K program gives new runners a clear plan, steady support, and a welcoming path to the finish line.
The program also welcomes people who used to run and want to begin again. Participants do not need to run fast. They only need the desire to take the first step.
Start Where You Are
The 10-week program begins Aug. 23. Participants meet on Sunday mornings from 8 to 9 A.M. at the track behind Hopkinton High School.
A coach leads each session. Club members volunteer as group leaders and supporters. The program divides runners by their starting fitness level. One group may run for one or two minutes, then walk for one minute. Another group may run for three minutes before walking.
This approach lets people build endurance at a safe, manageable pace. The program also provides training materials for the rest of the week. Participants learn about stretching, shoes, and basic injury prevention.
A Friendly Goal
The program ends with the Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) Wicked 5K. The annual HCA Wicked 5K is a festive, costume-encouraged fundraiser featuring a flat course, cash prizes, and a kids’ dash. The race focuses more on participation than on finishing time.
HCA Wicked 5K 2026
The course follows the Center Trail. The route gives new runners a supportive setting for their first 5K. The Couch to 5K fee does not include race entry.
The Couch to 5K program costs $75. The fee includes the training program and a Hopkinton Running Club membership. The first 75 registrants also receive a T-shirt.
More Than One Race
The club does not measure success by one finish line. Some Couch to 5K graduates become regular runners. Some return to the program each year. Others complete one 5K and stop there. The club welcomes every outcome.
Running builds confidence. Participants learn to keep going when a workout feels difficult. They share that experience with people who understand the challenge.
A Place for Every Pace
The club’s motto says it best: “There’s a place for every pace!”
Fast runners, walkers, and everyone in between belong at the Hopkinton Running Club. Members may finish at different times. They still cheer for one another. The club treats running as both a sport and a way to build community.
The club holds regular group runs throughout the week. Saturday runners meet at the Common at 7:30 A.M. and form groups by pace and distance. Sunday runners meet at 7:30 A.M. at Casey’s in Holliston for rail-trail routes. The Sunday routes often cover about five miles.
Members can also join a monthly hosted run. A different member hosts the group at home and provides breakfast. The club helps cover the costs. These events give members another way to meet, run, and spend time together.
Supporting the Community
The Hopkinton Running Club supports more than its own members. It awards two $1,000 scholarships each year to local high school students. Applicants write about the impact of running on their lives.
The club also gives members a chance to run the Boston Marathon. Each year, the club receives three Boston Marathon bibs. It holds one drawing for a member who has never run Boston. It holds a second drawing for the wider membership. First-time runners who do not win the first drawing remain eligible for the second.
Club members can put their name in the drawing as many times as they have volunteered for club activities. It pays to be a volunteer at the HRC!
How to Join
People who want to try the Couch to 5K can find registration information on the Hopkinton Running Club’s website and Facebook page.
The HRC invites new runners to start with one workout. Come as you are. Walk when you need to. Run when you can. The goal is to keep moving and find a place in the community.
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