Convenient Online Registration for Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race Closing Monday (Nov. 25)

Popularity of Thanksgiving Day road races on the rise across the U.S.

ANDOVER, Mass. (November 19, 2013) – Families and runners who want to fit one of New England’s largest and most festive running events into their Thanksgiving Day schedule can still register online for the Feaster Five through Monday (Nov. 25) at www.feasterfive.com.

On-site registration will continue through race morning on Thanksgiving Day, but with the pace of online registration well ahead of last year, race organizers said the best way to guarantee a race t-shirt – available to the first 9,000 registered runners – is to sign up online.

“We’re encouraging everyone to register online versus at the Expo or the event itself Thanksgiving morning,” said Tom Licciardello of the Merrimack Valley Striders, the event host. “It’s easier for the runners and walkers and it gives us a better idea of our field size.”

Race officials took just over 10,000 registrations in 2012, which resulted in a record setting 9,297 runners crossing the finish line. At the present pace, those numbers could be exceeded this year, according to race organizers, who are capping registration at 11,600.

Runners across the U.S. are flocking in greater numbers than ever to Thanksgiving Day road races. In fact, Thanksgiving Day has replaced the Fourth of July as the most popular holiday for road races, according to Running USA, a non-profit organization that tracks road racing trends.

Greater Boston’s 26th annual Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race, which is Northern New England’s second largest Thanksgiving Day race behind the Manchester Road Race in Connecticut, is noted for its festive, family-focused atmosphere plus Table Talk apple pies for all finishers. The race has a friends and family contest offering Whirlaway Sports Center discounts to teams of 10 or more.

Hosted by the Merrimack Valley Striders and managed by DMSE Sports, the Feaster Five features both a 5-mile and 5K race, beginning near Brickstone Square on Main St. in Andover at the corner of Route 133 and Route 28. The races begin at 8:30 a.m. (Kid’s Fun Run at 7:45) on Thanksgiving morning.

Race day registration is available from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. at Woodworth Motors. In-person registration also will take place during the Feaster Five Expo and bib pick up from noon to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 25 and 26) and from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday (Nov. 27) at the Merrimack Valley YMCA at 165 Haverill St. in Andover.  Also on Wednesday, specials guests will be on hand to greet entrants, including running legends Team Hoyt from 2 to 6 p.m. and Bill Rodgers and Joan Benoit Samuelson from 4 to 6 p.m. More information about the race can be found at www.feasterfive.com.

Proceeds from the race will benefit Ironstone Farm, Bellesini Academy, the Merrimack Valley YMCA and the Merrimack Valley Striders.

The Feaster Five also features bands and music along the course, digital clocks posted at each mile, holiday refreshments after the race and, of course, a traditional Table Talk apple pie for all finishers. The race also provides ample free parking and a printed race program, courtesy of the Eagle-Tribune.

Race organizers also announced that the official starters for the Feaster Five will be Celeste and Sydney Corcoran of Lowell, a mother and daughter who were victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. Celeste lost both her legs in the blast while Sydney suffered grievous injuries.

In addition, volunteers also are still needed. Detailed information about how to sign up to help on race day can be found on the volunteer page at www.feasterfive.com/Volunteer or by e-mailing Crissy Licciardello at crissyL26@yahoo.com. 

The Eagle-Tribune Publishing Company is the presenting sponsor of the event and the gold sponsor is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Silver sponsors include Table Talk Pies, Bagel Boy, Holy Family Hospital, Whirlaway Sports Center, Kiwanis Club of Greater Lawrence,  Tallman Eye, Dunkin Donuts, Wignall Animal Hospital, GW & Wade and Acquia. Bronze sponsors include Woodworth Motors, Brickstone Square, Costa Fruit & Produce, Fuddruckers, Tactician, Smolack Farms, Larabar, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Food That Should Taste Good, Pridestar EMS, Cape Cod Potato Chips, Seacoast Coca-Cola, Enterprise Bank, Burtons Grill, Off-Season Sports & Physical Therapy, Nestle’s Coffee-mate, Sage Bank, Andover Rotary and McGladrey LLP.

For additional information and to register, go to the race website at www.FeasterFive.com.

The Merrimack Valley Striders, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1979 to encourage and enhance running at all levels – from beginners to seasoned marathoners to members who run to improve their health. Though founded in the Merrimack Valley north of Boston, the running club has members from as far away as Florida and Arizona. For additional information, visit www.mvsruns.com.

Founded by Dave McGillivray in 1981, DMSE Sports is a leader in sports event management, specializing in creating, marketing and producing mass participatory athletic events throughout the U.S. and abroad. In addition to the Feaster Five, DMSE manages the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, the TD Beach to Beacon in Maine, the New Balance Falmouth Road Race on Cape Cod, the Finish at the 50 at Patriot Place, Run for the Dream in Williamsburg, Va., the Bellin Run in Green Bay, Wis., and the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, among others. For more info, visit www.dmsesports.com.

#  #  #

Here is more information about DMSE Sports