Discounted Early Bird Registration for Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race at FeasterFive.com Ends Oct. 31

More than 10,000 runners expected for 5K and 5-mile events

ANDOVER, Mass. (October 28, 2013) – Early Bird Registration for the Thanksgiving Day Feaster Five Road Race on Nov. 28 – one of New England’s largest and most festive running events – will be available online through Oct. 31 at www.feasterfive.com.   

The discounted early bird entry fee is $30 for either the 5K or 5-mile races for entrants over 12 and $20 for those under 12. The Kids Fun Run entry fee is $5, regardless of when sign up occurs. 

“Participants should sign up before the end of the month to take advantage of the early registration discount and to guarantee the commemorative race shirt,” said Tom Licciardello of the Merrimack Valley Striders, which host the event.

Race officials took 10,720 registrations in 2012, which resulted in a record setting 9,297 runners crossing the finish line.

“The Feaster Five field increases each year because it’s a popular, family-friendly event,” said Race Director Dave McGillivray. “Each year we have more and more runners who want to participate, so signing up early makes sense in case we reach our limit.”

Hosted by the Merrimack Valley Striders and managed by DMSE Sports, the Feaster Five Road Race’s 5-mile and 5K races is held each year on Thanksgiving morning, beginning near Brickstone Square on Main St. in Andover at the corner of Route 133 and Route 28.

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, the 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.

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, Kiwanis Club of Greater Lawrence and Tallman Eye. Bronze sponsors include Woodworth Motors, Brickstone Square, Costa Fruit & Produce, Whirlaway Sports Center, Fuddruckers, Tactician, Smolack Farms, Larabar, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Food That Should Taste Good, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, Pridestar EMS, Eastern Bank, Nature Crops, Cape Cod Chips, Seacoast Coca-Cola and Enterprise Bank.

Volunteers also are 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.  

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.

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