About The Sunrise Classic
Celebrating community, fitness, and the joy of running since 2023
Our Mission
The Sunrise Classic is an early morning track race designed to create an environment for people of all ages and abilities to run their best. While many athletic events focus on elite competition, our mission is to create a space where local runners can connect through a shared physical experience. By hosting an accessible event, we aim to promote long-term physical activity and bring together the running community in a fun and unique environment.
Our Values
We believe in bringing people together and creating lasting connections through sport.
Every runner, regardless of pace or experience, is valued and celebrated.
We maintain professional standards in timing, measurement, and race operations.
We are committed to environmental responsibility in all our operations.
Our Story
The Sunrise Classic was born from a vision of two Concord-Carlisle high schooler runners who wanted to create their own track race. After running in many races over the years, they identified gaps and challenges that other events faced, and set out to build something different.
2023 - The Vision
While still in high school, us founders began forming the idea for the Sunrise Classic. We dreamed of creating an accessible, well-organized track race that would bring the community together and solve the problems we had encountered in other racing events.
2024 - The First Race
We hosted our inaugural Sunrise Classic with 54 runners. That first year validated our vision and proved there was a real demand for a community-focused track race. From day one, the energy and camaraderie among participants set the tone for what would become a beloved annual tradition.
2025 - Growth
The second year brought remarkable growth, with 86 participants joining us. The event evolved into an even bigger community celebration, exceeding our expectations and solidifying our commitment to the mission. The response from runners and volunteers was overwhelming and inspiring.
2026 - Today & Beyond
Now being collegiate athletes, our team has expanded into a group who is deeply passionate about making the Sunrise Classic exceptional. Though we're now balancing college coursework and athletics, we dedicate significant time and effort to ensure this event delivers the quality and community experience our runners deserve. We're excited for continued growth and the opportunity to welcome runners from Concord and Baldwinsville in 2026.
Meet Our Team
Thomas is from Carlisle, MA and runs cross-country & track for Colgate University. He is an original co-founder of the Sunrise Classic and leads the organization as President.
William is from Concord, MA and plays rugby for Northeastern University. He is an original co-founder of the Sunrise Classic and serves as Vice President.
Lucas is from Carlisle, MA and plays tennis for The College of the Holy Cross. He joined the team in 2024 and manages the financial & compliance operations of the Sunrise Classic.
Ryan is from Baldwinsville, NY and runs cross country & track for Colgate University. He joined the Sunrise Classic team in 2024 and helps manage race operations.
Get Involved
The Sunrise Classic thrives because of community support. Whether you run, volunteer, sponsor, or advocate for our mission, there's a way for you to be part of something special.
Interested in volunteering or sponsoring? Contact us: