52nd Annual Falmouth Road Race Takes off

The 52nd annual Falmouth Road Race will take off on Sunday August 18th!  Since the creation at the At-Home Edition, everyone can participate in the ASICS Falmouth Road Race. The At-Home Edition race allows the runners to run or walk their own 7 miles anywhere in the United States beginning August 10th.

The Falmouth Road Race is a premier event of the running season and features a field of both elite and recreational runners. Established in 1973, the road race’s 7-mile course winds through Woods Hole, passing scenic Nobska Light, Surf Drive Beach, and Falmouth Harbor.

Many Elite Athletes Run the Falmouth Road Race

To be invited as an Elite Athlete for the historic race, runners must have run a 10K in 29:00 minutes or faster for men or 35:00 minutes or faster for women. Last year Elite Runner Wesley Kiptoo won the ASICS Falmouth Road Race. Men’s second place finisher was John Korir.

In women’s division of Elite Athletes is also filled with contenders from all over the world.  Last year Helen Obiri took first place with a time of 35:13. Emily Sisson finished second, 19 seconds later.

Eight hundred of the top runners will be seeded to start the race first; only runners who have run a 7:35 pace per mile or faster are considered.  Runners are seeded according to verified times to select the fastest 800 runners, so not all runners who submit times will be accepted.

Join the Family Fun Run

The 22nd annual SBLI Family Fun Run happens a day earlier on Saturday, August 17th at 9:00 AM. Distance of the run varies by age: ages 4 and under will run a quarter lap and the oldest group of 11-12 will run 3 plaps or 1200 meters. Registration is FREE, but limited to the first 1000 kids to sign up.

A Great Local Fund Raiser

As well as being a fun event to get out and get your heart pumping, the race helps to raise money for a number of nonprofits and causes.The Numbers for Nonprofits program has grown exponentially over the years to include more than 300 different teams and approximately 3,500 runners per year who commit to fundraising for their chosen charity, representing a wide range of causes.  Some charities are based in Falmouth and the Cape, while others represent groups across Massachusetts.

ASICS Falmouth Road Race helps to promote health and fitness through community programs and philanthropic giving. In addition, the race’s charity running teams help to raise funds for 164 charities and organizations, while also raising awareness about the causes they represent. Since 2000 the race has raised $50 million with charity partners.

This year the event is capped at 11,400 runners, instead of the usual field of 12,800. The race organization strongly recommends that runners, volunteers, staff, and other attendees are vaccinated. This year the runners will be given a grab-and-go bag with refreshments from the event sponsors after they cross the finish line, but the Hot Dog stand will be back again this year for all at the end of the race course.

The race starts will be staggered, organized by pace groups. The Pulse start system records racers times from when they cross the start line to the finish line, so the start doesn’t need to be too congested! Don’t forget that bibs need to be picked up before race day! Motorists may want to avoid the area, as traffic will be heavy, and the ferry schedules may be disrupted. Runners can’t drive to the start, so be sure to take full advantage of the free bus shuttle from Lawrence School to Woods Hole.

Organizers hope this year will be a another great event, and a fun celebration of 52 years of this beloved Falmouth tradition!