Hit the dirt road, Jack. The third annual Old Sandwich Road Race set for June 2 and 3, 2012.

May 24, 2012 - PRLog -- PLYMOUTH, MA...


While many of those runners came from the greater Boston area, the historic nature of Plymouth and the course - the half marathon takes place on the oldest road in the U.S., Old Sandwich Road, a well maintained dirt road - also drew participants from 37 U.S. states and
four countries.


The third annual race, set for June 2 and 3, looks to continue both trends-doubling the number of participants while drawing from all over – in making the Old Sandwich Road Race a destination race.   Many runners make a summer weekend of the event and enjoy Plymouth's bounty of history, gorgeous
beaches and eclectic seafood bistros.


"We're extremely pleased with how the race has progressed over the first two years but our goal has always been to make the Old Sandwich Road Race a national destination race," said Steven V. Dubin, Old Sandwich Road Race communications director.  He added, "The first two years have taught us a lot and the improvements we're making for this year put us much closer to
that goal."


The improvements for the 2012 OSRR include a $3,000 winner-take-all purse for the half marathon winner and finisher's medals for all half marathon participants. Other improvements include:


*  Medals for all half-marathon finishers.

*  Improved awards for top three finishers in all races.

*  Premium t-shirt for first 800 registrants.

*  Bib-Tag Timing System for all races.

*  Additional buses for start area transport.

*  Additional port-o-potties for half marathon start area.

*  Healthier food options at post race barbecue.


"Perhaps the greatest part of the Old Sandwich Road Race, maybe even better than the course, has been the quality of people participating," said Dubin. "We've gotten tremendous, constructive feedback from runners so we can make
the upgrades needed to make this a destination race. That's why we're even more excited about this year's OSRR."


Originally a trail used by the Wampanoag Native American tribe, Old Sandwich Road later became the nation's first true public road and a stagecoach route to ferry passengers and mail back and forth between the Massachusetts towns of Plymouth and Sandwich. Today, the road remains pretty much as the
Pilgrims left it--a wide, scenic, dirt road bordered by beautiful tall pine trees and towering oaks. It offers perfect views for runners and a dirt road surface that's far kinder to the body than asphalt or cement.


The 2012 Old Sandwich Road Race will take place over the course of two days, Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3. The Saturday race will feature the Kids Classic and the OSRR 5k. Sunday's main events include the OSRR Half Marathon, which takes place on Old Sandwich Road, and the OSRR 10k,beginning at Plimouth Plantation. All races end at Plymouth South High School.


In 2012, the OSRR has extended their partnership with the Boy Scouts of America Old Colony Council, Cranberry harbors District. In 2011, the Boy Scouts manned the water stops. In 2012, they will be doing so again. This year OSRR is giving runners the opportunity to raise $250 for the Boy Scouts
and get a free number and shirt. Most events require far larger fundraising efforts in order to participate.


In keeping with our nature and conservation theme, OSRR is also
participating for the third time in the national Trail day effort taking place on June 2nd. OSRR officials love dirt and  love trails. OSRR is helping to raise awareness, because many trails are going away or they are not well maintained. Trails are the best way to get closer to nature. For more info see (www.americanhiking.org)


A portion of the profits from the Old Sandwich Road Race go to The Home for Little Wanderer's Baird Center School in Plymouth. The Baird Center School is a year-round residential and day school treatment program for youth aged 10-18 with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, educational and psychiatric issues.


If you would like more information or are interested in running the 2012 Old Sandwich Road Race, please visit oldsandwichroadrace.com. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring next year's race, please contact
Steven V. Dubin, (781) 582-1061 or info@oldsandwichroadrace.com.


You can visit the Old Sandwich Road Race Web site at oldsandwichroadrace.com. Selected by Runner's World, as "one of the five races not to miss in 2010", The Old Sandwich Road Race also has pages on Facebook and Twitter.