Fall Distance Festival

NEW DISTANCES THIS YEAR: With so many half marathons (Fairfield, New Haven, Elpern, SoNo, Greenwich, Ridgefield, Cheshire and maybe others) being forced to cancel or go Vritual this year, and no fall marathons to train for, we've switched up and simplified our distance offerings. We've tweaked the 20k course to add on 0.7 to make it a certified half marathon  - come run one of the few 13.1 milers being held this fall - use your time for the Virtual version of one of the other races if you desire. Guaranteed our course will be flatter and faster than any of them! If you're not up for 13.1, the famous single loop 10k will be there for your running pleasure.

As with most races during the pandemic, runners will be required to carry their own water vessel(s) - we'll have hands-free refill station at the start/finish, plus bottled water and GatorAde for after.

All the usual protocols - masks when not running, staggered start, etc. - will be used to keep everyone safe.

LOCATION: Short Beach, Pavilion #1 just past the guard house entrance, Stratford, CT

ENTRY FEES: 

Pre Reg Online Race Fees:     $40 - 10k            $60 - Half Marathon

Race Weekend Fees (online only - we will leave the registration open until the start, so you can wait until race morning to decide whether to run - but you'll pay more for procrastinating). State guidelines do not allow in-person registration

                                 $50 - 10k     $75 - Half Marathon

Check-in opens at 6:45am at the pavillion. Of course it is rain or shine.

RACE FEATURES:

ROLLING START: We'll utilize the same procedure used at the Short Beach  Summer Run and Shore2ThePour races earlier this year. Runners will stage behind the start line on a socially distanced grid, then cross the mats one at a time or in small groups. Your time will start when you cross the mat. The start line will remain open for 25 minutes (after that we need to switch it over to the finish line for the first 10k runners).

THE COURSE- Flat, scenic, pretty darn quiet roads on our 10k loop. The half marathon includes a 7/10mi section of hard packed grass trail around the perimeter of the Stratford Point CT Audubon Center! We are donating to this great organization and venue from this race and you can help! 

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS-PLEASE RUN ON THE LEFT, FACING TRAFFIC, UNLESS FLOUR ARROWS ON ROAD INDICATE ON THE RIGHT. We need to follow state law and be careful- roads are open. 

WATER & FLUIDS - WE NEED YOU TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR HYDRATION. PLEASE PREPARE TO BRING YOUR FAVORITE FLUIDS THAT YOU’LL HAVE ON HAND OR CARRY.

THERE WILL BE one location on our 10K course where Boy Scouts will have sealed water bottles for you to take if needed. It will be around 3.4miles - if you take one you must ABSOLUTELY CARRY IT WITH YOU till you get to the finish or the 10k split if you’re in the half. Please understand we can’t have you dropping anything in this neighborhood or we will not be allowed back. Thanks for your cooperation!

THERE WILL BE tables after the finish/10k split where you can leave your own, preferred fluids before the start. You can grab it on the way by if you’re running the half, or if you’re done with the 10k.

WE WILL ALSO HAVE A TOUCHLESS REFILL CONTAINER WITH WATER if you want to refill your own bottle. 

THERE WILL BE garbage cans in both locations so you can drop plastic bottles if you need to. REMEMBER our Boy Scouts and volunteers are there to help. We really don’t want them having to clean up garbage!  Thanks for your help.

FOOD -State guidelines limit what food we can provide afterward. Count on bananas and granola bars at least! We are also working on Athletic Brewing non alcoholic craft brew and other adult hydration. 

SWAG- The ubiquitous BIC Razors will be in ample supply as well as shave jell samples. AWESOME LEFTOVERS- from other races we direct including great coffee mugs and cooling towels. But get there early while supplies last. 

SHIRTS- Long sleeve technical shirts as supplies last. There are women’s sized and unisex. 

MORE INFO- Lots of parking & bathrooms, but arrive EARLY and ready to run. NO finisher's medals - you already have enough and we can keep the cost down! But if I have some good leftovers from other races you can take them!
SORRY- NO DOGS or other mammals or pets. See below. 

Multi-distance option. You can "downsize" from the half marathon to the 10k any time, even during the race if you're not feeling great that day, but you'll need to tell our timer so he can transfer you in the database.. 

OUR NEW COURSE MAP- the 'first' 10k loop is pictured below. After that loop, the Half Marathoners run the same loop but with an added 7/10mi using the perimeter of the CT Audubon property.

Here is that map- http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7529241   

RESULTS/TIMING: World-class ChronoTrack timing, the same system used at the New York City Marathon, is back, along with live results. If you register by September 18 you can opt to have your results sent to you and your friends, family and fans in real time. 10k splits for the half marathoners.

AWARDS- we will not have any awards for this event. 

Directions- Use DORNE RD in your GPS- go past the golf course entrance, down the driveway to the guard house, park in the lot closest to the playground. 

FROM 95 NORTH: North exit 30 Lordship Blvd. Bear right off exit. Stay on this road thru 7 lights & bear left at 7th light-about 1 mile from Rte 95 & continue straight! At the last light (you will see a Dunkin Donuts/strip mall on the left) take RIGH There onto Main St. Go approx 4/10 mile (past airport runway on right) & take next left on Dorne Rd. to Short Beach entrance. Drive to the back lot.

DIRECTIONS FROM 95 SOUTH: Take Exit 31- South Ave. Left off exit, under 95, and proceed 1/2 mi to 4 way light. Take right at light onto Main St. Stay straight on Main St. approx 1 mi, past airport runway (on right) to first left – entrance to Short Beach.

Merritt Parkway N/S: - Get to Rte 95 somehow (like Rte 25 or Rte 7) & follow directions above- it’s a lot easier…

SORRY- NO PETS ALLOWED AT THE PARK - not my rules- don't shoot the messenger. BUT it is a great course to push a baby stroller. The roads are open, but they are very flat and it is a quiet neighborhood.