Needham Bank Named Presenting Sponsor of Harpoon 25th 5-Miler

Needham Bank has stepped into the role of presenting sponsor for the Harpoon 25th Annual 5-Miler, set for May 16, 2026, in Boston’s Seaport and South Boston. The move brings local banking support to one of New England’s most familiar road races and underscores the event’s continued focus on raising funds for ALS research and patient care.

Harpoon Brewery positions the milestone edition as a weekend celebration of running, beer, and giving back. Over its history the Harpoon 5-Miler has raised more than $3.1 million for two beneficiaries — the Angel Fund and the Pete Frates Foundation — projects that support research and care for people living with ALS. For brewers, taprooms, and homebrewing groups in the region the event offers a visible way to connect with runners and neighbors while supporting a charity cause that has become central to the race’s identity.

Representing Needham Bank, Brian Sutton, SVP and Director of Middle Market Lending, framed the sponsorship as a community-building effort: "At Needham Bank, we believe strong communities are built through meaningful partnerships, and we’re proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of Harpoon Brewery’s 25th Annual 5-Miler," said Brian Sutton, SVP and Director of Middle Market Lending. "This race has become an annual tradition people truly look forward to, bringing the community together around a shared purpose while supporting two outstanding charities that are making a real difference in the fight to find a cure for ALS and care for those battling this devastating disease."

Practical details matter for anyone planning to take part. The race route runs through the Seaport and South Boston, and organizers expect the event to include the kinds of post-race gatherings that have long tied Harpoon’s beer community to the run. Register through Harpoon’s event page or the usual race registration platforms, consider fundraising alongside your entry, and plan logistics early: race weekends in the Seaport often draw crowds and transit can be busy.

For homebrewers and craft-beer businesses, the 25th anniversary is a chance to engage customers and neighbors: organize meetups before or after the race, donate a portion of taproom sales to the beneficiaries, or help spread the word about fundraising pages. The combined draw of running and beer has sustained the Harpoon 5-Miler for a generation, and this year’s presenting-sponsor partnership signals continued community backing for ALS research and care.