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Wareham,
Massachusetts,
United States - June
- 5 miles/8K, 10 miles
- Road Race
- Event Website
Wendy
Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United StatesOverall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
This 5 or 10 mile race takes place on Father's Day each year and is a fundraiser for MyTeam Triumph, which is a ride-along program that allows people who would not otherwise be able to experience events like this to ride along, Team Hoyt style. I will be honest, I don't always know what my registration fees benefit and race for the joy of racing, but knowing I am supporting a cause like this makes me want to come back again and again.
This expo and start/finish of this race take place at Warhead Crossing in Wareham, MA. My GPS kept trying to take me to Walmart down the street, but otherwise this is really easy to get to and there is plenty of parking close by. If you bring a friend to see you at the finish, they can wander around Target or any other number of stores while they wait.
This race is put on by South Shore Race Management and I have done several of their races. It's nice to see familiar faces and get that community feel. Bib pick up was a little crowded before the race for a race of this size, but no big deal. The race director was out and helping pass out bibs and trying to get the line to flow as quickly as possible. The one negative comment I have about this race is that there were 3 port potties. 171 finishers. 3 potties. I don't know what the runner to potty ratio should be, but the line was way long and I imagine it's very possible some people either didn't get a chance to go before race start or started late, but this is chip timed so whatever you gotta do, I guess.
The 5 and 10 mile races start at 9am with the 10 milers a few blocks ahead. If you are fast, this could be an issue, because you take off in the lead and then run into the rear of another race with walkers etc. However, this was little problem this year. The 10-milers were over to the right and left plenty of space to pass. It didn't allow for running the tangents, but no big deal. We're all in it together and it's possible to get around anyway. The good side of this is that if you're a competitive type, you lose sight of who is in your race for a bit and maybe feel inspired to get ahead of the 10-milers, giving you a little extra speed until you figure it out.
The course is through a residential neighborhood, mostly shady and light rolling hills. Not really any crowd support, but there is a good mood among the runners cheering for each other. The course splits probably around the 2.5 to 3 mile area with 5-milers taking it back in and the 10-milers going wherever they go. For the 5-milers there is one water stop and you will pass it twice.
You will finish back at Wareham Crossing for live music and a meal, which is hamburgers I think. There are no vegetarian options, so I did not partake. For me that's no problem as I'm never hungry after a race anyway and there are plenty of places to eat around there if you really wanted something different.
Awards are passed out. This year winners were given flasks and a certificate. Winners get 50% off the next year's race entry.
The best, surprising thing about this race is the swag. This race is sponsored by New Balance, so runner's receive a NB tech shirt as well as a glass and a medal. For a race of this size and cost, that's pretty great. The medal is pretty cute too.