Welcome to My Miles for Music Fundraising Page
If you've known me for awhile, you know that I used to have a strict "I don't run. Ever." policy. Well, now I do run and the thing that keeps me putting one foot in front of the other is music. I love running to the tempo. I love tapping into the lyrics. I love noticing something new about a song that I've heard 1,000 times before. Music and running are inseparable for me--the days that my headphones are dead, I don't run.
I'm lucky to live in Western Mass where exceptional local music is part and parcel of living here. And it's no coincidence that so many local groups go on to bigger stages given the work of two local establishments: The Drake in Amherst and The Iron Horse in Northampton. From song-writing workshops and local labels to intimate concerts and killer festivals, these venues are the backbone of the music scene.
I'm participating in the Miles for Music run to support these two beloved nonprofit music venues that keep live music thriving in the western Massachusetts. Miles for Music is more than a race or walk. It's a celebration of the artists, performances, and community spaces that bring people together and make our region such a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. By literally traveling between these two nonprofit venues, participants are helping strengthen the local music ecosystem and the downtown communities it supports.
I'd be grateful for your support. Every donation helps sustain nonprofit live music, support local artists, and ensure these important community gathering spaces continue to serve the Valley for years to come.
Thank you for supporting my fundraiser and being part of a community that shows up for music and each other.
Miles For Music
This is a unique 8.1-mile point-to-point race along the scenic Norwottuck Rail Trail from Amherst to Northampton, taking place on September 13, 2026. Created by the local iconic venues, The Iron Horse and The Drake, the event welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities and features multiple participation options, including the full 8.1-mile race and a 5 & 5 Relay (5 miles and 5K).
Live music performances along the course and a finish at Taste of Northampton make it part race, part music festival, while raising funds to support and strengthen the region’s vibrant local music community.
Connecting communities through music.
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 Pioneer 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 brings Amherst and Northampton together through a shared love of live music, strengthening the communities, venues, and downtowns that connect us.