THE FIRST CHANCE IN CT 3 Mile Run, or walk - your choice.

WE ARE SOLD OUT FOR OUR IN PERSON EVENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT  

WE WISH WE COULD HAVE MORE BUT WE JUST DON’T HAVE THE ROOM.             

We are well past our usual date for our “Last Chance for Romance” run. 
But now that CT has reopened running events as of March 1st we are back in business! 

   THE LAST (chance) SHALL BE YOUR FIRST (chance) in 2021

ATTENTION- if you are reading this please be aware that we are at 144 (or above) registered and officially out of mugs. But we will do our best to have other ‘choice’ swag items for you to choose from. See you soon. Dress warm! It’s all outside this year- we can’t use the Boothe Hill building as in the past.

IF YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE VIRTUAL MODE WE CANNOT SWITCH YOU TO THE LIVE RACE!!

THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF THE STRATFORD PARKS DEPT, STRATFORD POLICE, STRATFORD HEALTH DEPT, AND COOPERATIVE EFFORTS OF MANY OTHERS WE CAN BRING YOU OUR FIRST RACE IN TOWN SINCE OCTOBER, and THE FIRST IN CT! 

Now that this run /Walk is scheduled a whole THREE WEEKS after V-Day it’s probably too late to make up for any little “oversight” that may have occurred on Feb the 14th! So our previous theme of “Last Chance for Romance” will have to wait till 2022. 

We hope you’ll join us and help donate to the Stratford Police Explorers Post. A terrific group of young men and women who want to help in our community and work in law enforcement. 

We start the 3 miler at 10am.
If weather and conditions permit we will have the Free Kids Little Beating Hearts Run at 9:40am. 

ONLINE ONLY $25 for pre reg 19 & over, $20 for 18 & under
Race day fees increase to $28 for 19 & over but stay $20 for kids (no cc fee)

WE CANNOT PROCESS ANY PAPER, RACE DAY ENTRIES.

ONLINE IS OPEN UNTIL 9:45am RACE MORNING-UNLESS WE ARE SOLD OUT. 

FYI - WE ONLY ORDERED 144 of THIS YEAR'S MUGS - so don’t get CUTOFF. WE MAY HAVE SOME OF LAST YEAR'S (or from other races) AND OTHER SWAG TO GIVE OUT AFTER THAT.

THERE IS A WHOLE NEW WAY OF RUNNING EVENT BUSINESS TO KEEP SAFE AND CT COVID COMPLIANT. We will NOT have interesting, edible prizes this year.

THERE WILL NOT BE ANY INDIVIDUAL NOR TEAM AWARDS as we had in the past. With ‘wave’ starting and no formal post race gatherings (state mandates) when you’re finished it’s just not possible. 

There will be FOOD (packaged and sealed, bananas, etc) and sealed, bottled fluids when you are done with your run, walk, or stroll.
Again we must follow all Stratford Health Dept. guidelines so we can’t have people thisclosetogether! The SHD has been very supportive! Be aware, be safe and be separated by six feet or more. 

The first 144 registered will receive great "FIRST CHANCE IN CT" commemorative mugs & any candy that you earned by running off the related calories!
Don’t be the 145th - REGISTER NOW!  PLEASE REG BY FEB 26 so we can make sure you get a mug. We ordered 144 mugs so don't delay.

We do not give out shirts for this event because you already have enough. Instead, you get a special race mug and good swag.

BIB, MUG, & any GOODY PICKUP IS ONLY ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT Sat 3/6
At Boothe Park - 5800 Main St Putney in Stratford. PICKUP STARTS 8:45am and the 3 miler starts at 10am  

Take exit 53 off the Merritt Parkway, go south on Rte 110 Main St-  and be ready for the right fork at the light just past the northbound exit ramp! 

Our 3 mile course is a simple loop with right-hand turns. It starts downhill for most of the first mile. The second mile is pretty much flat and quiet. At the start of the third mile there is a good climb for about 3/10 mile (we like to be truthful). BUT that's followed by a flat section and then a solid 2/10 mile downhill as you fly down to our flat finish! Here is our course map:   http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6765078 

COVID CONCERNS- Thanks the Town Departments of Stratford we will be able to present a completely outdoor event. No building will be used, safe distances and safety protocols will be in place, and State guidelines will be met.

HOWEVER-we all must be prepared for any change that can happen at any time which may mean a suspension of this live event, and result in a 'virtual' run. 

With fixed costs and pre-payment of many items, this means we CANNOT under any conditions REFUND any registration fees. Whether we are live or virtual our commitment to our Police Explorers will be maintained. We hope you can support this commitment and join us.

IMPORTANT DETAIL- There will be a 150 person limit for this 5k event. We need 120 people just to break even with our fixed costs! We encourage everyone to donate any additional amount to the Stratford Police Explorers. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. 

MASKS REQUIRED- We must adhere to all safety protocols so please help us by keeping masks on prior to the start line and immediately after you finish. And of course, keep a safe distance when you arrive, warm-up, chat with friends, and after you are done.

MODIFICATIONS FOR A SAFE START- We will be using a chip-timed, "open start" format which has been successfully used in various races around the state. A maximum of five people at the start line leaving at 10-15 second intervals means that a field of 150 can safely clear the start in ten minutes or less.

WE NEED YOUR HELP FOR A SAFE START- If you are truly at a speedier running level (6-7min pace per mile or under) we urge you to be at the start early and ready to go at 10am. This will avoid crowding on the course and help everyone to run more safely. Thanks!

ON THE COURSE- We ask you to stay safe, announce if you are passing from behind, and not to run in groups.

You can run, walk or stroll this event as an individual- you do NOT need a partner.

IF it is a spectacular day (weather-wise) and there are any kids (5th grade and under only) we will add on a short distance, non-competitive kids fun run. You can accompany your little tyke to avoid potential drama.

PLEASE HELP US RECRUIT PARTICIPANTS! We need a minimum of 125 people to be able to have this event.

We also offer a VIRTUAL Run/Walk for those who can't be physically with us that day- but want to help support the Stratford Police Explorers. VIRTUAL registrants will get the commemorative mug, a run bib, and a finisher's certificate by mail (or you can pick up- we will send details). VIRTUAL REG CUTOFF FEB 28. 

Pre-reg donation for the run, walk, & virtual event:

$25 for 19 years & over - $20 for 18 years & under. THE RACE PAYS YOUR ONLINE FEE! 

Race day fees increase to $28 for 19 & over but stays the same $20 for the school-aged kids.

REGISTRATION IS COMPLETELY ONLINE ONLY, EVEN ON RACE DAY UP TILL 9:45am. 

The Kids Little Beating Hearts run for 5th grade and under is free- if weather permits. 

Race Director and Founder
Marty Schaivone, with 30+ years of experience will coordinate this event. MS Running Productions has directed & consulted on more than 40 races a year in CT (prior to COVID) including the MADD Dash & Turkey Trot in Stratford, Great Pumpkin in Trumbull & the Colony Grill Hot Oil & Bigelow Tea Community Challenge in Fairfield.

Contact Marty at msrunningproductions@yahoo.com  for terrific opportunities to sponsor this event, volunteer at this run as well as any others.  The very modified and constantly changing 2021 schedule (if it ever happens) will be posted at www.hitekracing.com/msrunning.

FAQ’s
Where’s the parking? There are enough spaces behind the building for about 50 cars. After that, it is across the street on the perpendicular roads In the ‘hood. 
What are those wooden Toll Booths doing behind the building? If you’re much under 50yrs old please Google it & find out. The rest of us know! Lol 
Is there valet parking? Yes, we will have that available when pigs can fly.
Is the course marked clearly and accurately? If you get lost on this course we will refund your money, someday. And if you run long by accident we will not charge extra.
What about Herman Bershtein? Herman is in the legends age group. At 95 when shows up we give him whatever he wants! 

Here’s what people used to ask and if we ever get back to the actual pre-COVID race Format we will use this again

What are the age groups? 9 & under, 10-13, 14-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and older if they’re preregistered. 

What are the awards? They are all edible-the best kind. Purchased right after VD when all the extra chocolate gets insanely discounted.