Title Sponsor

CIGNA

Platinum Sponsor

Rockland Trust

Contributing Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors

A&A Metro Transportation, American Tent and Table, Cape Cod Ambulance, Cape Cod Potato Chips, Cargo Transport, Coonamessett Inn, C.P. Murphy Tree Care, Creative Creamery, Falmouth Inn, Flying Bridge Restaurant, Hamilton Tree Co., Mirant Corp., Party Cape Cod, Sapporo Brewery, Save That Stuff, Shaughnessy and Ahern Crane. Staples Industrial, Capron Lighting & Sound Co., Tracy Volkswagen Audi, Vendange Wines.

Information for Runners Registered for the 2009 CIGNA Falmouth Road Race

(course map at end of this page)

This page contains information about last year’s CIGNA Falmouth Road Race. It is still posted to provide some background for the 2010 race. This page will be updated in the coming months with 2010 information

We are pleased to be partnering again this year with "Cell Phones for Soldiers." Each cell phone donated is worth $5 on a phone card for a soldier overseas. The race is hoping to collect 2,500 units. Unwanted cell phones can be dropped off at the race office at 661C Main Street, Falmouth, any business day, or you can bring them when you come to pick up your number.

After reading the information below, click on the link at the end of this page to print your number and D-Tag pick-up form.  Numbers and tags cannot be mailed and must be picked up. You will need to present this number pickup form to pick up your number.  You will also need a your photo ID to get your number. If you are having someone else pick up your number, please sign the pick-up form and give it along with a copy of your driver's license to that person. When picking up numbers, make sure you have received the correct number before you walk away. Once you get your number and tag, keep close watch on them, as no duplicates can be issued. On race day the number must be pinned to the front of your shirt and the tag attached to your shoe.

This year we will have expanded ferry service to Woods Hole on race morning. The ferries will leave from Falmouth Harbor on Scranton Avenue near the race headquarters at approximately 8:30 am.  This is a one way trip to Woods Hole.  Only registered runners may use this service. If you would like to enjoy a scenic boat ride to the start and avoid the lines at the buses, send a check as soon as possible for $10 per ticket, payable to Falmouth Road Race, P.O. 732, Falmouth, MA 02541. Please write “Boat Ticket” on the envelope. Also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so we can mail your tickets and directions. 

NUMBER PICK-UP SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, Aug. 5,    5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 6,        5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 7,            10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8,        10 a.m. to 4 p.m., AND 6 to 9 p.m.

We encourage runners to pick up their numbers during pick-up times earlier in the week.

THERE WILL BE NO NUMBER OR GIFT PICK-UP ON RACE DAY.

DIRECTIONS TO RACE HEADQUARTERS - GUS CANTY COMMUNITY CENTER, 790 Main Street: from I-495, go over the Bourne Bridge, follow Route 28 south into Falmouth. Take a left at the first traffic light. Go to the next light, Gifford St., and take a right. Go to the stop sign, Main St., and take a left. The Community Center is about a half-mile down the street on the left. From Route 3 southbound go over the Sagamore Bridge, take the first exit after the bridge and follow the signs for Falmouth to the Bourne Rotary; then follow the directions (above) from Route 28.

IMPORTANT: If you cannot complete the race in 90 minutes or less, you may find yourself finishing the race with traffic on the roads. The Falmouth Police need to open the course to traffic within the time-frame allotted by the town officials. Also, the finish area will be dismantled starting 12:15 p.m. Therefore you may not be timed officially and will not appear in the official results. If you cannot finish the race in 90 minutes you must assume responsibility for your own safety. Also, please be sure to run no more than two abreast so others can pass. The race will officially end at 12 p.m.

NUMBER ASSIGNMENT: Your number and its color background designate your starting group. Your group and your number within that group were assigned by computer, based on the 10k time you submitted on your entry or your 2008 or ‘07 Falmouth time. Please: Do not fold your number; wear it on the front of your shirt; and find your color start group.

Our race uses a staggered starting procedure to reduce the congestion and make the race flow smoothly.

START GROUPS: 10 a.m., 1-500 and F1-F250; immediately after, 501-1500 and F251-F900; 10:04 a.m., 1501-2600 and F901-F2000; 10:08 a.m., 2601-3700 and F2001-F3100; 10:12 a.m., 3701 and over and F3101 and over  You may choose to start with a slower group than the one you've been assigned, but you may NOT start with a faster group. If you do, you will be subject to disqualification.

PLEASE NOTE: For safety and liability reasons, and in accordance with the U.S.A. Track and Field sanction, the use of headphones, including ear buds, is prohibited. Baby strollers, skates and bicycles are also prohibited from the course during the race.

IF YOU FORGET OR LOSE YOUR NUMBER FORM, PLEASE GO TO THE SOLUTIONS CENTER TO OBTAIN ANOTHER COPY OF THE FORM. YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY $5 FOR THE NEW FORM. THIS MONEY WILL BE DONATED TO A LOCAL CHARITY.

CHRONOTRACK D-TAG TIMING SYSTEM: This system is used to compile results, including age-group winners. The D-tag must be attached to your shoelace and does not have to be returned; it is disposable. Click here for detailed instructions on how to attach the tag to your shoe:http://www.chronotrack.com/for-athletes/.

DO NOT SWITCH OR GIVE AWAY YOUR NUMBER or TAG. This creates problems when compiling age-group results, especially if a male uses a female number or if a young runner uses a number assigned to an older runner. If you cover or alter your running number, sell it or give it away, you will be disqualified and may be rejected from future CIGNA Falmouth Road Races.

GIFTS FOR RUNNERS may be picked up when you pick up your number. When you turn in your number pick-up form, the volunteer will give you a ticket for you to pick up your gifts. If you plan to go to the supper on Friday, tear off and keep the ticket for admission. Please note that there will be no number or gift pick-up on race day. This year the official race poster will be sold at race headquarters for $5, including tax.

OFFICIAL ROAD RACE MERCHANDISE is available for purchase at the race headquarters during the number pick-up hours and at the supper on Aug. 7. On race day, merchandise (if not sold out) can be purchased at our tent on the ball field near the backstop. Unsold items will be available in the permanent race office, 661C Main Street, Falmouth.

UNREGISTERED RUNNERS: Unofficial runners cause many problems: they crowd and disrupt the start, they infringe on the rights of official runners, they flood the course, and they cause congestion at the finish and on the ball field. Please discourage anyone who plans to run unofficially. We realize many want to run, and we would like to accommodate everyone, but the narrow course, large numbers and congestion forces us to limit our field of runners. We hope you will discourage "crashers."

LIMITED ACCESS TO WOODS HOLE: Access to the start area in Woods Hole will be strictly controlled. Only official vehicles will be allowed to drive to Woods Hole. Registered runners should take the FREE buses provided by the race. Unregistered runners will not be allowed on the buses. Please don't have someone drop you off in Woods Hole, as the roads are very congested.

ROAD CLOSINGS:.To check on the time schedule for road closings on race morning, please visit the Falmouth Police Department web site, www.falmouthpolice.us/roadrace.htm.  

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, Aug. 7

Runners' Supper: Lawrence School, 113 Lakeview Avenue, 4:45 to 7:15 p.m., featuring Willow Tree Poultry Farm chicken salad sandwiches, Cape Cod Potato Chips, New England clam chowder, Ocean Spray and Poland Spring beverages.  Admission is free to registered runners with ticket from the number pick-up form. Runners' guests of all ages are welcome for $5 each.

Race Poster Contest Exhibit: There will be an exhibit of the 100-plus posters submitted for the race poster contest at the Falmouth Artists Guild at the new Falmouth Art Center at 137 Gifford Street, Falmouth on Friday, Aug. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday the Aug. 8th from 12 to 4 p.m.

Strolling Musicians in Woods Hole: The John Salerno Band will stroll and play along Water Street, Woods Hole, from 7 to 10 p.m. The Whoosh trolley makes regular runs between the Falmouth Mall and Woods Hole every half hour, traveling along Main Street. Log on to www.capecodtransit.org for detailed information.

 

Saturday, Aug. 8 -- Race-Sponsored Events

 

Runners Expo: Race Headquarters, Gus Canty Community Center, 790 Main Street: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature athletic-wear exhibits and information from various health and fitness experts, as well as displays by our principal sponsor, CIGNA. New Balance, our apparel and footwear sponsor, and other companies will have running shoes for sale.

Meet the Olympians: 2 to 3 p.m. at the Expo, meet Olympians Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Joan Samuelson, and others.

Race Poster Exhibit: See listing for Aug. 7

Falmouth Mile: Falmouth High School track, 874 Gifford Street. This is an elite invitational prize money event with bonuses to the men who break four minutes and women who break 4:33. Women race at 6:15 p.m. and men at 6:30.  This event is open and free to the public.

Strolling Musicians in Woods Hole: See listing for Aug. 7

Saturday, Aug. 8 - Other Events

Falmouth Walk: 10 a.m. -- A 5k walk along part of the race route starting at Town Hall Square to benefit local charities. Register at the Quarterdeck Restaurant, 164 Main Street, Friday, 5 to 7:30 p.m. or before the walk on Saturday morning.

Falmouth Recreation Department Family Fun Run: On Fuller Field behind the Gus Canty Community Center, 790 Main Street -- a free event run by the Recreation Department with races: 100 yards on the grass for children 5 and under; half lap of the field for ages 6 to 7; a full lap of the field for ages 8 to 9; two laps of the field for ages 10 to 11; and four laps of the field for ages 12 to 14. Sign up begins at 3 p.m. on the field. Medals and T-shirts will be awarded to all participants.

Spaghetti Supper:  The John Wesley Methodist Church at 270 Gifford Street will hold its annual spaghetti supper from 5 to 7 p.m. The suggested donation is $7 for adults and $4 for children 10 years and under.

Woods Hole Cantata Consort concert; The Woods Hole Cantata Consort will hold a concert entitled "A Hayden Celebration" at the Church of the Messiah in Woods Hole on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 9 at 3 p.m. The program will feature the "Lord Nelson Mass," composed to commemorate the victory of Lord Nelson and the British Navy over Napoleon in 1798. A choir, soloists, organ and chamber orchestra will perform. Admission is free, with a voluntary donation suggested

Music Festival: The Second Annual Music Festival of Cape Cod, also called the Naukabout, will be held at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Aug. 8. Runners who show their competitor’s number at the gate will receive $10 off the $25 ticket price. Children under 12 are free. The featured headliner will be Rusted Root, along with nine other bands. A portion of event proceeds will be donated to the Fresh Air Fund to help needy inner-city children through camp-based experiences. Tickets and information are available at www.Naukabout.com and a YouTube video from last year’s festival can be seen at www.YouTube.com.

 

Sunday, Aug. 9 – Race Day


Parking: Please avoid parking on private property. If you park close to a business that will be open, your car may be towed. The Falmouth Mall has a large lot, but you should park away from the stores. This location is about a mile from the finish area and from the buses to the start. Also try the Mullen-Hall and Lawrence Schools, Town Hall, the public lot near the library, TD Banknorth (Route 28, across from the Stop and Shop, and at the corner of Palmer Avenue and Jones Road), and the Homeport office complex on Gifford Street (see map in the magazine). Traffic is very heavy around town on race weekend, so allow extra time.

Buses to the Start: From the Lawrence School, 113 Lakeview Ave. Please take the FREE buses to the start, there is no parking in Woods Hole. Your 2009 competitor's number will get you on the bus. Buses start running at 7:15 and end at 8:45 a.m. DO NOT wait for the last bus or you may not get to the start on time. The race will begin at 10 a.m. sharp, even if all runners have not arrived.

Toilet Facilities: There will be numerous portable toilets where the buses are boarding and throughout the start and finish areas. Please be considerate of private property and seek out the portable toilets.  We will also have a few toilets along the route, around two, two-and-a-half and three miles.

Water:  Poland Spring drinking water will be available at the start and along the course, and beyond the finish line after you complete the race.

Please do NOT run more than two abreast along the course, as you will impede faster runners. Please make sure you stay to the side of the road.

Finish Procedure: There will be a clock at the finish so you will be able to note your time. After you cross the line, continue to move through the finish area. At the end of the finish area you will turn left, where Poland Spring water will be given out. Please do not stop in this area. Continue to the ball field, where additional water, Gatorade and food will be served. Do not try to come back through the finish area.

There are no post-race showers available and no clothing buses to take your gear from the start to the finish.

Post-Race Refreshments, Picnic and Music: 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The free refreshments are for REGISTERED RUNNERS ONLY, compliments of CIGNA, Poland Spring, Cape Cod Chips, Clif Bar, Gatorade and Ocean Spray. Lively music will be provided by Hot Like Fire, www.HotLikeFire.net. .

Meeting your Family After the Race: You may meet at the lettered signs along the sloping (west) side of the field and around the basketball court after the race, under the letter that matches your last name. For assistance on the ball field and lost and found, visit our info tent. If you need to go back to Woods Hole after the race, take the WHOOSH Trolley from the Falmouth Mall or Main Street. Visit www.capecodtransit.org for schedule. Due to heavy traffic, there is no shuttle service from the finish area back to your car at the Lawrence School, Recreation Center or other areas, which are about one mile from the finish.

The Awards Ceremony: Will begin on the ball field at 12:15 p.m., preceded by entertainment. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Falmouth Inn, next to the Race Headquarters, at 1:30 p.m.

Recycling: Will be conducted at all events, thanks to "Save That Stuff." Please deposit your trash in the designated containers.

Race Results:  Will be posted the evening of the race on our web site: www.FalmouthRoadRace.com .

Age-Group Awards are NOT announced at the awards ceremony. These awards will be mailed to the winners after the results have been checked and verified. Verification of results may take several weeks. Awards will be based on Tag time and will be sent to the first male and female in the following groups: 14 and under; 15 to 18; 50 to 59; 60 to 69; 70 to 74; 75 and over. Falmouth year-round-resident awards are 14 and under; 15 to 18; 19 to 39; 40 to 49; 50 to 59; 60 to 69 and 70 and over.

Free Admission to Plimoth Plantation: Runners who show their 2009 CIGNA Falmouth Road Race number will be admitted FREE to Plimoth Plantation, including the Mayflower II, for the remainder of the season. All others in their party will receive a discount of $4 off an adult combination admission ticket and $2 off a child combination admission ticket. Plimoth Plantation and Mayflower II are open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Thanksgiving. For more information visit www.plimoth.org.

Thanks for joining us. Have a wonderful weekend and a good race!

Special Thanks to Our Title Sponsor, CIGNA

Our Official Footwear and Apparel Sponsor is New Balance. Please visit their store in Mashpee Commons.

Official Bank and Platinum Sponsor is Rockland Trust.

Our Contributing Sponsors are Cape Cod Potato Chips, Cavossa Disposal, Cool 102 Radio, Gatorade, Genevate, Ocean Spray, Penske Truck Leasing, Poland Spring and Willow Tree Poultry Farm.
Our Supporting Sponsors are British Beer Company, Capron Lighting and Sound, Cargo Transport, Coonamessett Inn, Falmouth Inn, Flying Bridge Restaurant, Mirant Corp. and Shaughnessy and Ahern Company Crane.

Other Supporters are A&A Metro Transportation, American Tent and Table, Cape Cod Ambulance, Cape Cod, Rehabilitation, Cape Cod Sports Medicine, C. P. Murphy Tree Care, Hamilton Tree Co., Party Cape Cod, Sapporo Brewery, Save That Stuff, Staples Industrial, Tracy Volkswagen Audi and Vendange Wines

The Road Race Course

The course: The race is seven miles long and begins in front of the Woods Hole Community Center, near the drawbridge on Water Street.

  • The course proceeds out of Woods Hole and takes a right onto Church Street, then winds around Nobska Lighthouse and continues along the winding, hilly, tree-lined road.
  • At three miles the course emerges from the woods and continues for 1.5 miles along the beach, right next to the waters of Vineyard Sound.
  • It then turns left onto Shore Street and, 400 yards later, right onto Clinton Avenue.
  • At the end of Clinton Avenue it turns left onto Scranton Avenue, then 600 yards later right onto Robbins Road and the top of Falmouth Harbor.
  • At the end of Robbins Road it turns right onto Falmouth Heights Road and continues until runners once again meet the ocean.
  • At this point it turns left and heads up the hill and down the road to the finish line, near the Falmouth Heights Ball Field.

The first three miles are narrow, hilly, winding tree shaded roads, while the last four miles are open on the flat right next to Martha's Vineyard Sound. A small steep hill lets you know that you are beginning the last half-mile of the race. Once you crest the hill it is "all downhill" to the finish.

 


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