Online Registration for 27th Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race is Underway at FeasterFive.com

One of New England’s largest running events with a field of 10,000 provides an apple pie to all finishers

ANDOVER, Mass. (September 30, 2014) – Registration for the Thanksgiving Day Feaster Five Road Race Nov. 27 – one of New England’s largest and most festive running events – is  underway at www.feasterfive.com.   

“We are at double the rate of the record breaking 2014 field, so runners should sign up soon to take advantage of the early registration discount,” said Tom Licciardello of the Merrimack Valley Striders. The first 9,000 registrants will also be guaranteed a long sleeved tech t-shirt.

Race Director Dave McGillivray of DMSE Sports, who also directs the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, New Balance Falmouth Road Race and TD Beach to Beacon 10K in Maine, also advises runners to sign up soon to secure a spot at the starting line for either the 5-mile or 5K.

“The Feaster Five is a popular, family-friendly event, and the field grows each year,” said McGillivray. “So we are urging runners to sign up early in case we reach our limit.”

Race officials took 10,616 registrations in 2013, which resulted in a record setting number of runners crossing the finish line. 

The Feaster Five is a Thanksgiving Day tradition for a growing number of families and groups of friends across the region. The mood is festive and every race finisher goes home with an old-fashioned apple pie provided by Table Talk, a long-time New England favorite.

Hosted by the Merrimack Valley Striders and managed by DMSE Sports, the Feaster Five Road Race’s 5-mile and 5K races will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the Kid’s Fun Run at 7:45 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.  All three races – which welcome walkers as well – begin near Brickstone Square on Main St. in Andover at the corner of Route 133 and Route 28. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Merrimack Valley YMCA, Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm, Bellesini Academy 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 Feaster Five Expo – featuring a variety of sponsors and vendors – will be held from Nov. 24 to 27 at a new location this year -- Merrimack College -- in conjunction with on-site registration, bib number and t-shirt pick-up. To find more about the race and register go to their newly designed website at www.FeasterFive.com.

Among the VIPs expected this year are New England running legends Rick and Dick Hoyt, Joan Samuelson, and Bill Rodgers who will attend meet and greet opportunities at the Expo during race week.

Samuelson won gold in the first women’s Olympic marathon 30 years ago in 1984 and remains a worldwide icon for women athletes; Rodgers is an Olympian and four-time winner of both the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon.

Sponsors this year include Eagle-Tribune Publishing, Table Talk Pies, Bagel Boy, Whirlaway Sports Center, Dunkin Donuts, Holy Family Hospital, Tallman Eye, Wignall Animal Hospital, GW & Wade, Acquia, BNY Mellon, Woodworth Motors, Andover Rotary Club, Brickstone Square, Costa Fruit, Fuddruckers, Align Credit Union, Dick's Sporting Goods, Burton's Grill, Cape Cod Chips, Seacoast Coca Cola, Smolak Farms, Tactician, Off-Season Sports, MFA, Orange Leaf, Food Should Taste Good and Larabar. To become a sponsor, contact dmse@dmsesports.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.

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.

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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