New partnership with the Massachusetts State Lottery will increase the total purse over 100% for 2026 edition of famed Cape Cod race
FALMOUTH, Mass. – In anticipation of the 54th running of the ASICS Falmouth Road Race, organizers have announced an increase in its prize purse for American runners. In partnership with the Massachusetts State Lottery, prizes for the top American finishers have doubled, with winners for first through fifth place ranging from $5,000 to $1,000. Professional runners from the U.S. and around the globe travel to Cape Cod every year to compete, and the race continues to offer invitations to this year’s field of top talent. Interested athletes can apply online to be invited to compete.
“Our race strikes a unique balance between community event and professional athletic competition,” said Falmouth Road Race Inc. President Scott Ghelfi. “There are so many exciting new faces in the American running scene, and our goal is to keep fostering that talent and bringing this to our historic race. The Massachusetts State Lottery is a perfect partner for this effort, as they are no stranger to celebrating winners!”
“Our mission is built on supporting communities across the Commonwealth and our passion is celebrating winners, something the Mass Lottery and Falmouth Road Race have in common,” said Executive Director of the Massachusetts State Lottery Mark William Bracken. “We’re thrilled to be increasing the prize purses for this year’s talented athletes and to be enhancing that winning feeling in one of Massachusetts’ most cherished summer traditions.”
These increased purses are in addition to the race’s overall available winnings, giving American runners the chance to earn in both the American division and overall divisions. Top finishers overall earn $10,000 for their victory in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
Americans have posted notable finishes in recent years. Last year, Zouhair Talbi, who had recently become an American citizen and is an Army reservist, was the top American finisher and fifth overall. His time of 32:00 is the fastest time by an American in Falmouth since 1982, and he has been earning American records at other notable races across the country. Talbi took fifth place overall at the 2026 BAA Boston Marathon in the fastest time ever run by an American. He also won the Houston Marathon, earning the third fastest time ever run by an American.
Emma Grace Hurley took second overall and clocked the second fastest time ever run by an American at the race, 36:04. It marked her first podium finish in three Falmouth appearances.
Following her top performances in Falmouth, Hurley won the USATF 25km championships.
The last American to win overall was Keira D’Amato, who took first for the women in 2022. The last American man to win the race was Leonard Korir in 2019.
The ASICS Falmouth Road Race is expected to announce its professional field in August. These top-level competitors take to the course followed by 11,400 runners of all experience levels.
This year’s ASICS Falmouth Road Race is set for August 16, 2026, and is one of the premier running events of the summer season. Each year, the race draws an international field of Olympians, Paralympians, professional athletes and recreational runners to enjoy the iconic 7-mile seaside course. Race weekend also features a variety of other events, including the invitational Falmouth Track Festival, presented by ASICS, Tommy Cochary High School Mile, the SBLI Family Fun Run and a Health & Fitness Expo.
For more information about the ASICS Falmouth Road Race, visit www.falmouthroadrace.com and follow the event on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
ABOUT FALMOUTH ROAD RACE, INC.
The Falmouth Road Race was established in 1973 and has become one of the premier running events of the summer season. Each year the race draws an international field of Olympians, professional athletes and recreational runners to enjoy the iconic 7-mile seaside course. The nonprofit Falmouth Road Race organization is committed to promoting health and fitness through community programs and philanthropic giving.
ABOUT MASSACHUSETTS STATE LOTTERY
Since selling its first ticket in 1972, the Mass Lottery has generated over $161 billion in revenues, awarded over $114 billion in prizes, returned over $34 billion in net profit to the Commonwealth for unrestricted local aid provided to cities and towns, and paid over $9.2 billion in commissions and bonuses to its statewide network of retailers.