Cancellations, Postponements, And Virtual Races….Oh, My!
By: Judy Phillips
Given our current indefinite period of sheltering (or running!) in place, with so many races having been cancelled (some well into the fall), I’m sharing thoughts on races for your schedule next year. The dates will be approximately around this year’s.
New England Races
4/17 NHTI/Delta Dental 5k – Concord, NH (6 PM start)
We love races on the NHTI campus! I’m also partial to evening races. The NHTI race organization team is always friendly and fun, with a raffle typically following. This is a simple, well-marked loop course, with the only hill being the incline of the overpass.
4/18 Stoneyfield Earth Day 5k – Londonderry, NH
The course is a straight run to a loop through neighborhoods in Londonderry and back to the start. This is a Millennium Running event, and their races are always well-managed and fun.
4/18 New Castle 10k – New Castle, NH
A longer distance option offering a loop course through New Castle and Portsmouth, which promises lovely views and exceptional dining post-race.
4/25 Springfield Dam Run – Springfield, VT (1/2 mile/4 mile options)
Road Trip!
4/4 Cooper River Bridge Run – Charleston, SC
I was registered for this 10k so was disappointed that it’s been postponed to a date I cannot make. The course is fast and flat and attracts a large field (35k). There is transportation to the start and from the finish. I booked lodging at the Planter’s Inn, selected based upon proximity to a shuttle stop. The Governor’s Inn is also an historic, elegant small inn. Charleston is a lovely city, with beautiful neighborhoods, amazing food and hospitality. It does get steamy, but I love running in the heat. New date: August 1; the heat will be a challenge for runners from Northern New England.
4/5 Cherry Blossom Ten Miler – Washington, DC (5k option)
The lottery opens in early December. This is another race with a large field (16k limit). The course is very flat (elevation range: 31 feet) and rather crowded at points, and there is a minimum pacing requirement. The event staging area is on the Washington Monument Grounds and the scenic course includes a view all of the major DC Memorials. This can be a beautiful time in DC; a nice introduction to Spring running. Be prepared to be patient, though: the packet pickup and Expo can be quite crowded. But the positives include great fan support, beautiful medals and good food at the end.
4/26 – Salty’s 5K & Double Nubble 10K – York Beach, ME
This is a newer race (this would have been the second year). The course is beautiful and last year was closed to traffic. There are some nice hills, and you run within sight of the Nubble Lighthouse and the ocean. Plan a weekend jaunt and stay at a local B&B or the York Harbor Inn (a personal favorite). Not much is open this time of year, but the sound of the ocean without the crowds on the beach is lovely.
