Arlington's favorite holiday run / walk

Get Giving & Galloping

Giving every step of the way.

A mostly flat, totally casual run / walk in your silliest holiday outfit: runners go 9.5 miles from Arlington to Boston Children's, walkers loop 7.4 miles through Cambridge and back. We raise money for Boston Children's Hospital's Every Child Fund, and we hand out gift cards to the people we pass along the way. Think of it as being Santa, but sweatier.

DEC12
Saturday, December 12, 2026Gallop starts at 11:00 AM
Robbins Farm ParkArlington, MA · meet at the lookout
Your "entry fee": $25+ in gift cardsThe more the merrier!
Gallopers in holiday outfits on the Longfellow Bridge with the Boston skyline and Charles River behind them

Not your typical holiday run.

Ok sure, the Gallop has some of the hallmarks of a traditional holiday season run:

Holiday attire is strongly encouraged. (We got that)
Running is involved. (Check)
The weather will be cooler. (Yep)
Raises money for something amazing. (Also check)

But what makes the Giving Gallop awesome is that it's, well, all about giving. The Gallop gives to families in two big ways:

1
Give to the cause

Raise $$$ for Boston Children's Every Child Fund

To participate, make a donation of any amount to Boston Children's Hospital's Every Child Fund through the Miles for Miracles Boston Marathon team. Every dollar counts, and the more the merrier! Our 2026 goal is to raise $15,000. It's the time of year to be merry and give all you can. What are you waiting for?!

Donate to Boston Children's
2
Give to the community

Hand out gifts to people we meet on the run

There is nothing better than doing good, giving back, and bringing cheer to people this time of year. Instead of a registration fee, your "fee" is purchasing, wrapping, and bringing at least $25 worth of gift cards to hand out to the folks we encounter on our run. $25 is the minimum, but we highly encourage you to bring as many as you can. This is your chance to officially be Santa.

Sign Up to Get Galloping

How the day goes

See the full course
11:00
Meet at the lookout

Robbins Farm Park. Wrapped gift cards in your pockets, antlers on your head. Runners and walkers split from here.

Leg 1
Downhill to the bike path

Runners 4.5 mi to Aeronaut in Somerville. Walkers 3.3 mi to Craft Food Hall at Alewife.

Leg 2
The gift-giving stretch

Runners 2 mi through Somerville to Lamplighter. Walkers 2.3 mi up Mass Ave to Punjab in Arlington Center.

Leg 3
Two finishes

Runners cross the Charles, pass Fenway, and finish at Boston Children's. Walkers climb to the Heights Pub.

Stops are optional and self-funded. These businesses aren't sponsors, just good spots to warm up. Heads up: both courses are one-way. No shuttle back.

$39,000+raised for kids' hospital care so far
500+gift cards handed to strangers
Year 5of galloping. Five!
The whole Giving Gallop crew lined up at Robbins Farm Park under a blue sky
The 2025 crew at the start. Yes, that's a Grinch. Yes, he ran the whole thing.

Ready to be Santa?

Grab your ugliest sweater, some gift cards, and a few friends. We'll handle the route.