Online Registration for 28th Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race Underway at FeasterFive.com

The Nov. 26 road race, one of New England’s largest running events with a field of 10,000, will give an apple pie to all finishers

ANDOVER, Mass. (October 7, 2015) – Registration for the Thanksgiving Day Feaster Five Road Race – one of New England’s largest and most festive running events – is  underway at www.feasterfive.com. Registration before Oct. 31 is discounted and the first 9,000 registrants will also receive a long sleeved tech t-shirt.  

Also, anyone interested in training for the race with a group, the Merrimack Valley Striders (MVS) are for the fourth year in a row sponsoring a free walk to 5K program every Sunday until Nov. 22. The event is geared toward all ages (kids, parents, grandparents) and all fitness levels (casual runners, former runners, walkers) are welcome. The training program begins at 8 a.m. every Sunday at the Feaster Five Race Start (parking lot across from Woodworth Motors).  For more information, visit the training section at the race website: http://www.feasterfive.com/walk-to-5k-training-program/.

“These training events offer a fun and healthy way to prepare for the race,” said Tom Licciardello of the Merrimack Valley Striders. “I would encourage anyone at any fitness level to become involved. It’s a great way to get your Sundays started.”

The Feaster Five is a popular, family-friendly event Thanksgiving Day tradition for families and groups of friends across the region. Every race finisher on Nov. 26 goes home with an old-fashioned apple pie provided by Table Talk, a long-time New England favorite, hence the slogan “Will Run for Pie” on t-shirts, which are available for sale when registering on the race website.

Race officials registered have registered as many as 10,700 in past years and are encouraging runners and walkers to sign up soon. 

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, and holiday refreshments following the race. In addition, every 50^th runner in the 5K or 5 mile will win a $25 gift certificate to Whirlaway Sports, and every child in the kid’s race will win a medal shirt.

To learn more about the race and to register, go to the race’s website at www.FeasterFive.com. Once runners or walkers have registered, they can update their details via the www.myevents.active.com link on the website.

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. 

Sponsors this year include bPositive Project Apparel Company, Whirlaway Sports, Schneider Electric,  Eagle-Tribune Publishing, Table Talk Pies, Bagel Boy, and Wignall Animal Hospital. To become a sponsor, contact dmse@dmsesports.com.

The non-profit Merrimack Valley Striders 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.

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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