Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Race Start Time: 8AM
Start Location: B&S FITNESS Facility, Salem MA
Details: Join us for the Annual Black Cat 10 & 20 Miler happening in Salem, MA in preparation for the Boston Marathon in April! Participants will choose from a 10 or 20 mile distance, those who choose the 20, will have a 4 hour time cap to complete the 20 mile distance. The course will offer aid stations every 1.5-2 miles and there will be a ton of cheerful volunteers. Participants will receive an epic custom finisher medal that will be a nice addition to anyone's medal collection. The event attracts close to 600+ runners, including elites to beginners traveling from all over the Country. We promise running through the historic streets of the Witch City & scenic Marblehead will make these miles fly by!
Distances: 10 mile and 20 mile
10 Mile Fees: (+$5 for the 20 Miler)
$80 through 12/31
$85 through 2/28
$90 through 3/22
$95 through 3/28 till 8PM
$115 on Race Day
**No Shirt Entry – **$5 off your entry on or before 3/8.
Packet Pick Up Options: *Yes you can pick up for your friends.
Saturday 3/28, Pre-Race Packet Pickup: 11-2PM at B&S Fitness (GPS: 90 Leavitt St, Salem, MA)
Sunday 3/29, Race Day, starting at 6:45AM at B&S Fitness Fitness
Swag: Long sleeve shirts will be provided to participants pre-registered by March 8th. All participants will receive an event finishers medal upon completion of the event.
Course: Both the 10 and 20 will start at the same time. The 20 Mile is two loops of the 10 mile route.
More course information will be available here: https://www.bnseventmanagement.com/blackcat
To see the map with elevation click here: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2479681?units=miles
Course Time Cap: 4 hour time cap beginning at 8AM.
20 milers - You must be at the halfway point by 10AM to be eligible for a second lap.
**Sunshine start at 730AM will be made available for only 20 milers who are unsure whether they’ll finish within the 4 hour time slot. You will get your finishing time and a medal but will not be eligible for awards. Any 10 milers that start at 730AM will be DQ'd and not receive a published race result.
Course Details (Water Stations and Bathrooms):
The course will have a Water Station approx. every 2 miles. Aid stations will have either Gatorade or Water, sometimes both. At the turn around fuel station at located at the VFW Post on West Shore Dr, there will be Gu’s, petroleum jelly, and bathrooms. **Note, water stations will not be setup until 8AM so those participating in the 730AM sunshine start, should be equipped with nutrition/fuel for the beginning portion of the course.
Dogs/Strollers: We do welcome dogs and strollers. We do ask that you line up in the back at the start line. Dogs must be leashed at all times, they are allowed inside the B&S facility.
Bag Drop: A location inside the B&S facility will be available to leave your items. All items must be picked up between 9:00AM and Noon.
Parking: Plenty of parking at Shetland Park. There is also a garage located across from the Waterfront Hotel on the corner of Congress/Derby Street.
Age Group Awards:
Top 3 Overall M/F in each race
Top 3 M/F in each age group: Under 19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
Top 3 Non-Binary
**No double dipping
Post Race Festivities: Water/gatorade will be available at the finish line. Catered breakfast items, hot soup, fresh fruit, an assortment of baked goods, packaged food and hot coffee will be available post race inside the B&S facility. We encourage you to hang around afterwards to explore downtown Salem where there are several restaurants, bars, cafes and boutique shops that are worth checking out. If you’re looking for brunch/lunch or a post run beverage in Salem just down the street from race site we recommend visiting LongBoards Restaurant & Bar!
If you're heading right out of town, consider swinging by Sylvan Street Grille at some point on the 29th! Sylvan Street Grille is our series wide, year long post race pour provider. Choose from their Salisbury or Peabody location, anytime, all day! Just show them your race bib on the day of the event to redeem your much earned, free beer or glass of wine!!
Race Charity: Marblehead Hockey Boosters, VFW Post in Marblehead, Allie Castner Scholarship Foundation & the Salem Park and Recreation.
Race Refunds & Event Cancellations: We understand life happens and things may come up. We’ve implemented a FREE deferral and transfer policy through March 1st. Refunds/deferrals after March 8th (without insurance), will incur a $15 fee for administration purposes. In the case of event cancellation due to public safety, inclement weather or some other unforeseen power at be, the event will become virtual.
Questions: Please email B&S Event Management at events@bnsfitness.com or call 978-204-8588.
