The Falmouth Road Race! A "Classic" Summer Run!

If you're the type of runner who loves to travel to great destinations in order to run in challenging races then, the Falmouth Road Race in Cape Cod, MA is one race to put on the top of your list.
This race that draws almost 10,000 runners, consists of a scenic 7.1 mile course that starts in Woods Hole and finishes with a party in Falmouth Heights.

Ok, so what makes this race well worth every effort to get in?

For one, you have to love the history behind it's beginning. Thirty-eight years ago, two runner's who were bar owners, came up with the idea to run a race from one bar to the other, and then throw a party to celebrate. The starting line literally is an the doorstep of "Captain Kidds" in Woods Hole, and the finish line is at the "British Beer Co." in Falmouth Heights.

The annual August race grew each year as word spread about the race and the post race party that followed. During one of it's early years, Bill Rodgers, who's from MA himself, was vacationing on the Cape, and by coincidence, stumbled upon the race before it's start in Woods Hole. He inquired about the race and asked if he could join the run. The organizers, caught by surprise by Rodgers, welcomed his participation. Naturally, "Boston Billy" won, stayed for the the party and had a blast hanging out with the participants. In fact, he had so much fun, that he came back the following year to run again, but this time he brought along gold medal marathoner, Frank Shorter.

Well, Shorter had as much fun as Rodgers did the year before. He came back too, and he brought along female gold medalist in the marathon, Joan Benoit-Samuelson!

The "domino effect" continued as Joanie spread the word and now, the Falmouth Road Race draws an elite field that contains many the best distance runners in the world!

The race course alone would be enough to draw the worlds top runners. It has an uphill start in the picturesque town of Woods Hole, and winds down to the beach with then heads uphill to Nobska Lighthouse at mile 1. Your first panoramic view of Martha's Vineyard at this point is enough to make you want to stop running and stare!

The course continues through 3 miles of winding wooded hills until you're back on the beach again. The waters of vineyard sound, and the Falmouth marina will be with you as you ascend the last steep hill, and then begin your decent to the finish line, to run under the massive American flag that hangs across the final few yards of the course.

The party awaits and there's no better way to celebrate a great run than with some New England hospitality, good food and sun!

Don't be fooled however into thinking this race is a "day at the beach!" It's far from that indeed! As I mentioned earlier, the course itself challenges the best runners in the world and with a 10AM start, the heat is very often a risk that can savagely attack even the best runners.

Alberto Salazar came close to death from dehydration from the heat during a run there. Another year, Jen Rhines was stunned to see the tape stretched out across the finsh for her as she won. The reason she was stunned was, she trailed Catherine Ndereba by several seconds as "Catherine the Great" fell out of sight as she descended the final hill about 40 yards from the finish. What Jen didn't know was that Catherine had dropped out of the race from heat exhaustion despite being so close to winning the race!

In fact, on my last race there 3 years ago, the heat struck me to the point that I had barely a clue as to my pace, and had a hard time remembering the race when I made it into the finishers party area. Lucky for me, a friend iced me down and I was ok in an hour or so.

I've run this race several times myself and for many reasons "memories of Falmouth" will always be close to my heart!

The 38th edition of the Falmouth Road Race will be held on August 15th this year. You can download applications off their website to join the lottery that's held to fill the 10,000 runner field. Applications are due no later than May 5th so, hurry if this race interests you.

If you have any questions about this event, feel free to stop by Fleet Feet Mahwah and ask! If you've run this race yourself, and have any stories of your own you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you!