Join The Drake and The Iron Horse for a point-to-point race, relay, and walk connecting Amherst and Northampton on the Norwottuck Rail Trail. Along the way, you’ll find live music, a beautiful route through the Valley, and a celebratory finish into Taste of Northampton with 2 stages of music and 30+ restaurants.
Every registration supports two nonprofit music venues that bring artists, audiences, and downtown life together all year long.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Route: Amherst to Northampton via the Norwottuck Rail Trail
Start Area: Downtown Amherst, MA
Finish Area: Downtown Northampton, MA
Start Time: 10:00 AM
Relay Hub: The TruNorth Relay Hub at The Quarters, Hadley
Finish: Brewster Court in downtown Northampton, at Taste of Northampton
Course Support ENDS at 1:00 PM
Notes:
Rain or Shine
No dogs permitted
No refunds
transportation & shuttles
The easiest way to get to the starting line in Amherst is to park in Northampton and take the Miles For Music Shuttle to the Amherst starting launch. The race finishes in Northampton, so you can leave your car there and return to it after the race. There will not be any returning buses to Amherst after the race.
Shuttles will run from Northampton to the starting line in Amherst from 7:00–9:00 AM, approximately every 15 minutes. Shuttle frequency may vary depending on traffic and participant demand.
Shuttle service is available to registered participants only. You must show your race bib or proof of registration when boarding.
RELAY SHUTTLE
Relay participants have one designated Relay Shuttle available.
Leg 1: A relay shuttle will take participants from Northampton to the Amherst starting line.
Leg 2: A shuttle will take all Leg 2 runners from Amherst to The Quarters in Hadley, departing at 9:15 AM.
After Leg 1: A bus will transport Leg 1 runners from The Quarters back to Northampton.
Please note: There will not be a shuttle from Northampton directly to The Quarters before the race. Leg 2 runners should plan to take the relay shuttle from Northampton to Amherst, then transfer to the shuttle to The Quarters.
All relay shuttles are for registered participants only. Please have your bib or proof of registration ready when boarding.
Gear Check
Gear Check will be available at the Amherst starting line on race morning. Gear Check number tags will be attached to each bib.
Your bag will be transported to the finish line in Northampton, where you can pick it up after the race.
Gear Check closes at 9:45 AM.
Leg 1 Relay participants will recieve race-week instructions for gear pickup at The Quarters.
OVERVIEW
Join us for Miles for Music, a unique 8.2 mile race, relay, and walk connecting Amherst and Northampton in support of two beloved nonprofit music venues: The Drake and The Iron Horse.
Travel the scenic Norwottuck Rail Trail while enjoying live music along the route and helping support local artists, nonprofit live music, and the vibrant valley these venues serve.
Choose the full 8-mile course, the approximate 5 & 5 Relay, or walk at your own pace. However you participate, you'll be part of a celebration of music, movement, and community.
Distances
8.2-Mile Run/Walk — A scenic point-to-point route from Amherst to Northampton.
The Team Relay Challenge — A two-person relay option with one participant completing 5 miles and the other completing a 5K-ish. Relay teams will hand off at The Quarters in Hadley, right on the rail trail.
Walkers Welcome — Walkers are welcome for the full course and relay options.
REGISTRATION & PACKET PICKUP
Registration Includes:
Entry into the 8-mile race/walk or approximate 5 & 5 Relay
A scenic and supported point-to-point course along the Norwottuck Rail Trail
Live music along the route
Finish celebration at Taste of Northampton
Food Voucher to use at Taste of Northampton for the first 500 registered participants
Shuttle service to Start/Finish and Relay points
T-Shirt for $100 in fundraising
Community connection and direct support for local nonprofit music venues
Early packet pickup is available at both The Iron Horse in Northampton and The Drake in Amherst:
Friday, September 11th at The Drake from 3:00–6:00 PM
Saturday, September 12th at The Iron Horse from 2:00–6:00 PM
Race Day pickup available at Amherst Town Common.
Day-of registration may be available only if the event has not sold out. Registration and packet pickup closes at 9:50 AM.
BIBS
Bibs will include a Gear Check tag number and a Taste of Northampton food voucher, valid for $10 to use at the festival.
Please note the food voucher is available for the first 500 registered participants.
Miles For Music
Sunday, September 13th, 2026
8.2-mile run, relay, and walk from Amherst to Northampton
Run the trail. Support the scene.
Can’t make Miles For Music but still want to support?
You can still make a difference and support live music in the Valley!
Every contribution helps make music more accessible to our community while ensuring artists and educators are paid fairly for their work. Donate to The Iron Horse’s Miles For Music team and help build a strong live music scene — one that boosts downtown vitality, breaks down cost barriers, and creates more opportunities for artists and audiences alike.
You can make a donation here.
For more information about The Drake, please visit thedrakeamherst.org.
For any questions, please email info@ironhorse.org.
finish line celebration
The 8.2 mile course finished on Brewster Ct. right next to the Taste of Northampton! Participants and spectators can enjoy food from 30+ local restaurants, live music on two stages, retail, and more festivities.
Awards and post-race remarks will also take place at the Taste of Northampton.
Why we're doing it
Miles for Music supports two beloved nonprofit venues: The Drake in Amherst and The Iron Horse in Northampton. While many people know these spaces as places to experience great live music, fewer may realize that both are nonprofit organizations working to keep music, artists, and community gathering spaces strong in the Valley.
When music venues thrive, our downtowns thrive. Live music brings people into restaurants, shops, and small businesses, supports local jobs, and creates the kind of energy that makes our communities feel alive.
Miles for Music is part of a broader Valley-wide effort to strengthen our shared music ecosystem, support downtown vitality, and build deeper collaboration between Amherst and Northampton.
Run the trail. Support the scene.
