Attracting elite athletes from all around the world, the 41st-annual New Balance Falmouth Road Race takes place this Saturday at 10 a.m.
More than 12,000 runners will gather in Woods Hole for the race, which spans from from the start on Water Street to the finish at the beach in Falmouth Heights. An estimated 75,000 spectators will line the course and cheer on runners.
Registration is closed but the public is welcome to watch the event.
Course
According to the race website, the course is "seven miles long and begins in front of the Woods Hole Community Center, near the drawbridge on Water Street. The first three miles are narrow, hilly, winding tree-shaded roads, while the last four miles are open on the flat right next to Martha's Vineyard Sound.
A small steep hill lets you know that you are beginning the last half-mile of the race. Once you crest the hill it is "all downhill" to the finish."
View the article image to see a layout of the course, or check out the Google map.
Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 8
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- Expo & Number Pickup: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 9
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- Expo & Number Pickup: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- John Holladay Poster Signing: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.*
- Rick & Dick Hoyt presentation, meet and greet, photo op and book signing at the Team Hoyt booth: 4:00 p.m.
- Footwear Innovation- Speaker: Bekha Broe, NB Trakster: 5 p.m.*
- SBLI Family Fun Run: 6 p.m., registration 4 p.m. at the FHS Kalperis Track (behind the Expo)
- Bill Rodgers "Marathon Man" Book Signing at US Road Sports Half Marathon booth: 6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 10
- Expo & Number Pickup: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Falmouth Walk: 10 a.m.
- John Holladay Poster Signing: 10 a.m.*
- Footwear Innovation- Speaker: Bekha Broe, NB Trakster: 11 a.m.*
- Bill Rodgers "Marathon Man" Book Signing at at US Road Sports Half Marathon booth: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
- Runner Clinic- Speakers: Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Joan Samuelson: 1 p.m.*
- Autograph Session: 2 p.m.*
- Rick & Dick Hoyt presentation, meet and greet, photo op and book signing at the Team Hoyt booth: 4 p.m.
- The Tommy Cochary & The Falmouth Mile: 7 p.m. at the FHS Kalperis Track (behind the Expo)
* these events will be held at the "Special Events" booth at the Expo
Sunday, August 11 –
- Buses to Start Line (from Lawrence School): 6:45 a.m., last bus leaves between 8:45 and 9 a.m.
- New Balance Falmouth Road Race: 9:40 a.m. Wheelchairs, 9:50 a.m. Elite Women, 10 a.m. Race Start
- Awards Ceremony: 11:30 a.m.
- Overall: $89,500 plus a $2,500 bonus for open men's or women's course record.
- Open: $56,000 total for the top 5 men and women.
- American: $23,000 total for the top 5 American men and women.
- Wheelchair: $7,000 total for the top 3 men and women, depending on field size, plus a $1,000 for the men's or women's course record.
- Mile: $10,000 in total for top 3 men and women in each event.
Falmouth Police have released information about traffic and road closings. Check out the links below for specific information regarding each area.
Security
In light of the Boston Marathon bombing, public safety officials plan to tighten security. Bags and containers will be banned from the race area, and there will be boating restrictions in Woods Hole and heightened police presence in the streets.
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