Scenic, certified course along Cape Ann coastline on August 22; Saucony $5000 purse set
GLOUCESTER, Mass. - The thousands of runners from throughout New England who didn't get into the upcoming, highly popular TD Bank Beach to Beacon in Maine or the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race on Cape Cod are encouraged to sign-up for the inaugural Run Gloucester! 7 Mile Road Race, set for Sunday, August 22 on scenic Cape Ann in Massachusetts.
"With nearly five miles of ocean views and a quintessential New England setting, the Run Gloucester! 7 Mile is a perfect alternative for those who didn't get into the Beach to Beacon or Falmouth," said Dave McGillivray, whose company, DMSE Sports, Inc., created and is managing the race. McGillivray also serves as race director of the BAA Boston Marathon and the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K.
Runners are encouraged to register in advance at www.rungloucester.com. The registration fee is $35 online and $40 on race day. Proceeds from the Run Gloucester! 7 Mile, sponsored by the Gloucester Daily Times and Saucony, Inc., will benefit the Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association and DMSE's Children Fitness Foundation.
New Developments
Race organizers and the lead sponsor, Saucony, Inc., a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with brand headquarters in Lexington, Mass. have offered a prize purse of $5000. The winning man and woman will each receive $1500 with $750 for the second place finishers and $250 for third. Saucony also will award shoe gift certificates to all age group winners.
The race will begin at 8:00am on Sunday, August 22 at the Gloucester Fishermen's Memorial Statue on the historic Gloucester waterfront. Online registration will be available until Friday, August 20 at 5:00pm and to register on the day of race, runners should arrive between 6:00 and 7:45am at Gloucester High School, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road.
For those who pre-register online, registration and packet pick-up will be held Saturday, August 21, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at Gloucester High School.
A Kid's Fun Run will be held at Stage Fort Park at 9:45am, following the 7-mile event. Registration is free and kids who register will receive a participatory medal. An awards ceremony also will take place after the race at 10:00am at historic, waterfront Stage Fort Park on Hough Street in Gloucester.
The recently certified course will take runners along Eastern Point Road, Atlantic Road and Bass Rocks, before returning to the statue for the finish. The course features one of New England's most picturesque seascapes, boasting nearly five miles of ocean views. A map of the course and other race info is available at www.rungloucester.com. The race also is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RunGloucester, where updates and info will be posted throughout the summer.
Being a part of history
Gloucester is America's oldest seaport and also home to the nation's first artist colony, so it is fitting to be a part of history by participating in the very first Run Gloucester! 7 Mile Road Race, organizers say.
"Gloucester has a vibrant, active running community as does the entire Cape Ann area, and we are hoping runners from the area plus all across New England will come out and join them and be a part of this historic inaugural race," said Ron Kramer, Race Director, who envisions the Run Gloucester! 7 Mile one day rivaling other top New England road races in size and stature. "I think we're going to create something really special here that runners will want to be a part of, year after year."
For additional information on the area, the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce website - www.capeannchamber.com - lists information on accommodations and dining.
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