Old Sandwich Road Race gives half marathoners a chance to finish “Boston Strong”

PLYMOUTH, Mass. - April 25, 2013 - PRLog -- PLYMOUTH, MA…

Many runners dream of not only participating in, but completing the Boston Marathon. Due to circumstances beyond their control, many Boston Marathon participants were unable to cross the finish line. Though it’s impossible to bring that opportunity back, the Old Sandwich Road Race (OSRR) is trying to make it better by waiving the $50 entry fee to participate in the half marathon for those who ran in the Boston Marathon and could not finish.

“An entire region had its heart broken with the devastation that came with the events at this year’s Marathon. But one of the blessings that came with this tragedy is how everybody pulled together to both capture the perpetrators and begin the healing,” said Steve Dubin, communications director for the Old Sandwich Road Race. “This gesture cannot undo the damage that was done and the lives that were lost. But in a small way, it’s part of the healing process.”

One person, Julia Daly, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has already accepted the OSRR’s invitation.

“Words cannot describe how I felt that day. I was running to raise money for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. My disappointment in not being able to finish meant very little compared to what was going on just a few miles ahead of me,” said Daly. “I’m grateful to have my family, friends and self come out of that day healthy and alive. I think the best way to honor those who perished and were hurt is to keep running and that’s what I plan to do in Plymouth this June and back in Boston next year.”

Boston Marathon runners can RSVP by e-mailing the following information to the OSRR Race Director at runosrr@gmail.com:

First and last name

Address

Age on race day

Cell number

Email address

The fourth annual Old Sandwich Road Race takes place on Sunday, June 2. Beyond the half marathon, OSRR includes a 5k and 10k. While the race may not have the history of the Boston Marathon, the course does.  

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.

“Besides history, the OSRR has a national and international flavor as well. As well as drawing runners from 28 states and four countries over the past two years, we had our first international winner—Kenyan Moninda Marube—setting a course record for the half marathon of 1:08:13 and winning a $3,000 winner-take-all purse,” said Dubin.

In addition to the winner-take-all purse for the half marathon male and female winner and special edition finisher’s medals for all half marathon participants, this year’s race includes:

Newest available timing technology.

Sponsor gift pack - Over $500 in discounts and coupons.

Great top finisher and age group awards.

Personalized finisher announcements.

An awesome high quality tech shirt!

Free food to all runners and their screaming fans!

Full uniformed Boy Scouts manning the water stops.

Professional, broadcast finish announcer.

OSRR’s early bird rate for the 5k ($22), 10k ($35) and half marathon ($50) ends on May 1. Prices will increase for runners registering at later dates.

The Old Sandwich Road Race benefits area charities, including The Home for Little Wanderer’s South Campus 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 2013 Old Sandwich Road Race, please visit oldsandwichroadrace.com. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring the race, please contact Craig Valentine Brenner at 617-680-4230 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.