Feaster Five Road Race facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Feaster Five Road Race |
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| Date | Thanksgiving Day |
| Location | Andover, Massachusetts, United States |
| Event type | Road |
| Distance | 5 miles (8K certified) and 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) |
| Primary sponsor | Merrimack Valley Striders |
| Beneficiary | The Merrimack Valley YMCA, Bellesini Academy, Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm, Merrimack Valley Striders, and Groundwork Lawrence |
| Established | November 24, 1988 |
| Participants | 10,720 (in 2012) |
The Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race, often called the Feaster Five, is a popular running event. It takes place every year in Andover, Massachusetts, USA. The race happens on Thanksgiving Day, which is the fourth Thursday in November.
It is one of the biggest 5-mile races in Massachusetts. In 2012, over 10,000 people took part! The race has been a Thanksgiving tradition since 1988. It is one of many races across the country known as a "Turkey Trot."
The money raised from the race helps several good causes. These include the Merrimack Valley Striders Scholarship Program and the Merrimack Valley YMCA.
Kids aged 2 to 12 can join in too! They have their own shorter race called The Kids' K, which is one kilometer long.
Contents
Race History
How the Feaster Five Started
The very first Feaster Five race happened on November 24, 1988. About 300 runners finished that day. Ken Pliska was the first male winner. Amy Legacki was the first female winner.
The second race in 1989 was almost canceled. A big snowstorm, called a nor'easter, hit early. It dumped over six inches of heavy, wet snow on the race path. Still, about 400 runners completed the race. They ran in conditions where it was hard to see, almost a whiteout.
In 1990, a special tradition began. Every runner received an apple pie after finishing. This sweet tradition continues to this day!
Famous Faces and New Rules
In 1992, Johnny Kelley, a famous marathon runner, was a special guest. He was there at the start of the race. This year was also the first time walkers were officially allowed to join the race.
In 1996, Lynn Jennings won the women's division. She was a bronze medalist in the 1992 Summer Olympics. She won her medal for the 10,000-meter race.
Technology and More Records
In 2000, new technology was used for the first time. It was called FRID timing (RFID timing). This system used special chips to get a more exact time for each runner.
In 2004, the famous actor Matt Damon ran the race. He ran alongside his father, Kent.
By 2005, something new happened. More women participated in the race than men for the first time. In 2009, over 9,147 people signed up. That year, Joan Benoit Samuelson won the women's division. She was 52 years old and an Olympic marathon champion!
Recent Years and Challenges
In 2011, Senator Scott Brown officially started the 24th Feaster Five Road Race.
In 2015, a small drone crashed near the start line. It hit a tree branch and fell into the crowd. Two runners got small cuts from its spinning parts.
The 2017 race was a big milestone. It was the 30th anniversary! The first 9,000 people who signed up received a special hoodie-style race shirt. The youngest runner was just one year old. The oldest was 93! A total of 9,966 people took part. Ruben Senca won the five-mile race for the fifth time.
In 2018, the weather was extremely cold. Because of this, the organizers had to cancel the five-mile race and the kids' run. Only the five-kilometer race took place for everyone. Nearly 4,000 of the 8,500 registered runners still participated. The 2018 race raised over $75,000 for its five charity partners.
In November 2020, a virtual race was held. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The live races returned in 2021.
Race Course Details
The Feaster Five offers two main race distances: an 8-kilometer (about 5 miles) course and a 5-kilometer (about 3.1 miles) course. Both races start at the same spot. This is on Main Street where Route 28 and Route 133 meet.
The 8-Kilometer Course
The first mile of the 8-kilometer race is mostly uphill. It goes through the historic Andover Center. Runners then turn onto several streets like Morton Street, Bartlett Street, and Chestnut Street. They continue through Pasho Street, Summer Street, Washington Street, Elm Street, Maple Street, and Walnut Avenue.
Later, the 8-kilometer runners join up with the 5-kilometer runners on High Street. The 8-kilometer runners stay on the right side of the street. Both groups then turn onto Haverhill Street. Finally, they turn right onto York Street and run uphill to the finish line. The finish line is in the Brickstone Square parking lot. After the race, runners can usually find food and drinks there, including the famous apple pie!
The 5-Kilometer Course
The 5-kilometer race starts at the same time and place as the 8-kilometer race. However, it takes a different turn earlier on. At the top of the hill on Elm Street, 5-kilometer runners turn left. They then turn left onto High Street. Here, they merge with the 8-kilometer runners at the corner of High and Walnut Streets.
Like the 8-kilometer race, the 5-kilometer race then goes onto Haverhill Street. It then turns right onto York Street and heads uphill. The finish line is also in the Brickstone Square parking lot.
Past Winners of the Races
Here are the winners from previous Feaster Five races. Many talented runners have taken part over the years.
5-kilometer Winners
| Year | Male winner | Female winner | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Michael Cronin |  United States |
16:41 | Mary Donahue | United States |
18:20 |
| 1996 | Guy Sterns | United States |
15:51 | Kara Molloy | United States |
19:23 |
| 1997 | Dan Leboeuf | United States |
16:42 | Jennifer Lincoln | United States |
18:30 |
| 1998 | Matthew Ely | United States |
16:12 | Jennifer Lincoln-Toomey | United States |
17:44 (course record) |
| 1999 | Matt St. Germaine | United States |
15:44 | Kara Molloy | United States |
18:43 |
| 2000 | Matthew Ely | United States |
15:55 | Courtney Famiglietti | United States |
20:07 |
| 2001 | Doug Martyn | United States |
16:13 | Jessica Parrott | United States |
18:52 |
| 2002 | Tim Galebach | United States |
16:18 | Miae Jacobs | United States |
19:02 |
| 2003 | Matthew Ely | United States |
16:14 | Melissa Donais | United States |
19:03 |
| 2004 | Phil Shaw | United States |
16:18 | Melissa Donais | United States |
19:04 |
| 2005 | Harry Norton | United States |
16:16 | Meaghan Shaw | United States |
19:09 |
| 2006 | Harry Norton | United States |
15:52 | Katie Twarog | United States |
18:46 |
| 2007 | Harry Norton | United States |
15:40 | Allison McCabe | United States |
18:04 |
| 2008 | Glenn Randall | United States |
15:57 | Allison McCabe | United States |
18:34 |
| 2009 | Eric Narcisi | United States |
16:31 | Allison McCabe | United States |
18:11 |
| 2010 | Kevin Alliette | United States |
16:00 | Allison McCabe | United States |
18:57 |
| 2011 | Kyle White | United States |
17:45 | Melissa Donais | United States |
19:36 |
| 2012 | Pat Fullerton | United States |
15:46 | Allison McCabe | United States |
17:56 |
| 2013 | Pat Fullerton | United States |
15:08 (course record) | Alanna McDonough | United States |
19:16 |
| 2014 | Mike Carleone | United States |
16:04 | Anna Willard | United States |
18:26 |
| 2015 | Eric McDonald | United States |
16:15 | Christina Supino | United States |
18:37 |
| 2016 | Neal Darmody | United States |
15:37 | Allison McCabe | United States |
18:32 |
| 2017 | Neal Darmody and Jacob Johns (Tie) | United States |
15:57 | Alanna McDonough | United States |
19:00 |
| 2018 | Neal Darmody | United States |
15:45 | Catherine Beck | United States |
18:37 |
5-kilometer Wheelchair Winners
| Year | Male winner | Female winner | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Brian Gauthier | United States |
24:26 | Katie Adie | United States |
34:06 |
8-kilometer Winners
| Year | Male winner | Female winner | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Ken Pliska | United States |
Unknown | Amy Legacki | United States |
Unknown |
| 1989 | Unknown | United States |
Unknown | Unknown | United States |
Unknown |
| 1990 | Unknown | United States |
Unknown | Unknown | United States |
Unknown |
| 1991 | Unknown | United States |
Unknown | Unknown | United States |
Unknown |
| 1992 | Unknown | United States |
Unknown | Unknown | United States |
Unknown |
| 1993 | Scott Bagley | United States |
24:07 | Gina Sperry | United States |
28:04 |
| 1994 | George Yiannelis | United States |
24:18 | Lisa Senatore | United States |
28:04 |
| 1995 | George Yiannelis | United States |
24:07 | Joan Samuelson | United States |
27:39 |
| 1996 | Dave Dunham | United States |
24:38 | Lynn Jennings | United States |
27:33 |
| 1997 | Chris Teague | United States |
25:00 | Lynn Jennings | United States |
28:08 |
| 1998 | Chris Teague | United States |
24:18 | Terri-Anne McGettrick | United States |
28:44 |
| 1999 | Dave Hinga | United States |
24:04 (course record) | Terri-Anne McGettrick | United States |
28:21 |
| 2000 | Chris Teague | United States |
25:01 | Terri-Anne McGettrick | United States |
29:41 |
| 2001 | Michael Smith | United States |
24:56 | Suzy Walsh | United States |
29:29 |
| 2002 | Dave Hinga | United States |
25:19 | Kara Haas | United States |
29:33 |
| 2003 | Casey Moulton | United States |
24:40 | Terri-Anne McGettrick | United States |
28:40 |
| 2004 | Dave Hinga | United States |
25:42 | Simonetta Piergentili | United States |
30:09 |
| 2005 | Matt Pimental | United States |
25:55 | Terri-Anne McGettrick | United States |
30:38 |
| 2006 | Patrick Moulton | United States |
25:15 | Terri-Anne McGettrick Arpin | United States |
30:07 |
| 2007 | Tobias Lundgren |  Sweden |
25:27 | Kim Webster | United States |
29:31 |
| 2008 | Harry Norton | United States |
25:24 | Kim Webster | United States |
29:52 |
| 2009 | Nate Jenkins | United States |
24:44 | Joan Samuelson | United States |
30:10 |
| 2010 | Nate Jenkins | United States |
24:10 | Catherine Beck | United States |
29:44 |
| 2011 | Nate Jenkins | United States |
24:25 | Joan Samuelson | United States |
30:21 |
| 2012 | Nate Jenkins | United States |
24:43 | Catherine Beck | United States |
28:10 |
| 2013 | Ruben Sanca |  Cape Verde |
24:19 | Kirsten Kasper | United States |
27:48 |
| 2014 | Ruben Sanca | Cape Verde |
25:13 | Catherine Beck | United States |
29:20 |
| 2015 | Ruben Sanca | Cape Verde |
24:34 | Catherine Beck | United States |
29:08 |
| 2016 | Ruben Sanca | Cape Verde |
24:44 | Danielle Poto | United States |
30:19 |
| 2017 | Ruben Sanca | Cape Verde |
24:43 | Maggie Mullins | United States |
29:13 |
| 2018 | Race cancelled | NA | NA | Race Cancelled | NA | NA |
