|
Cape Cod Marathon Information
AVERAGE NUMBER OF RUNNERS
1,800 to 2,300. 2006 field: 1,289 in marathon and 856 on 180 relay teams totalling 2,145 participants from 41 states, 2 provinces of Canada, and 4 other foreign countries, but mostly (75%) from New England. Runners of all ages and abilities participate in the race; many are first-time marathoners. Median finishing time is usually around 4:00, with runners completing the course anywhere between 2:20 and 6 1/2 hours.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
More than 700 volunteers including medical teams, radio amateurs, National Guard, Civil Air Patrol, police, students, and scores of interested folks; 38 businesses and organizations (2005); and 6,000-7,000 spectators; Since 1988, some of proceeds have been donated to the Falmouth Service Center and Around the Table. Additionally, in 2005, donations were made to the Mashpee Booster Club, the Falmouth Special Needs Program, the Civil Air Patrol, the Falmouth Jewish Community Center, the First Congregational Church, St. Barnabas Church, the Penikese Island School, the Police Athletic League, the Cape Cod Free Clinic, Fairwinds Club House, Around the Table, The Falmouth Service Center, the Falmouth Chorale, and Falmouth High School Athletic Teams.
TIMING AND SCORING
The "ChampionChip" system will be used for timing and scoring both the marathon and relay.
PRIZE MONEY AND AWARDS
A Prize Purse of $12,600.00 to individuals and $2,400.00 to USATF-NE teams competing in the championship will be distributed to the top marathon finishers, supplemented by trophies and merchandise prizes, in the following categories: Overall Winners, Open 14-39, Master 40-49, Senior 50-59, Veterans 60-69, and Grand Veterans 70 & over. Additionally merchandise prizes will be awarded randomly at the finish line to other finishers. The marathon will also award prizes in the Clydesdale (men - 190+) and Filly (Women - 140+) Divisions.
DETAILED COURSE DESCRIPTION
The one-loop course begins and ends at the Village Green in Falmouth center. The first 10.5 miles are relatively flat, with the exception of one short hill at 3 miles, as the course goes east along the shore for about five miles and then heads inland through the farmland and cranberry bogs of East Falmouth. When the course turns onto Thomas Landers Road, the route climbs for 1.5 miles about 70 feet to the highest elevation of the course (about 100 feet above sea level). From mile 12 to mile 15, the course heads south into West Falmouth and is primarily downhill or flat. There is a 3/4 mile downhill at mile 12 that starts that sequence. Between mile 15.5 and 23.5 the course proceeds south into Woods Hole and picks up the first part of the Falmouth Road Race course, going past Nobska Light at mile 22. This 8 mile stretch of terrain consists of a non-stop series short rolling hills mixed in with some flat and with some noteworthy hills (1/4 - 1/3 mile) at 15.5, 17, 20, and 22 miles. Just beyond 23.5 miles, the terrain flattens out again for the last 3.2 miles along the Vineyard Sound shore and back to Falmouth center.
ON THE COURSE ON RACE DAY
Splits at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 miles
Water and Cytomax stops about every 2.5 miles.
All miles, 5km intervals, and turns marked on the roads.
Medical aid available on the course and at the finish.
Vehicles to pick up tired runners travel around the course.
Course open to controlled local traffic.
Porta Johns at start & finish and at 4 relay exchange points (3.1, 8.7, 14.9, 21.8), and at the 7, 12.4, 18.5, & 22.5 mile points.
Bands and DJ's provide intermittent diversion; the scenery does the rest.
Elvis sightings in later stages of race (Real or Delusional?)
Use of personal electronic devices such as portable music players during the race is prohibited for safety reasons and because of USATF Rule #144.3(b) which states: "The visible possession or use by athletes of video or audio cassette recorders or players, TV's, CD or DVD players, radio transmitters or receivers, mobile phones, computers, or any similar devices in the competition area shall not be permitted."
WEATHER CONDITIONS
There is an old saying in New England. "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes!" What is "normal" or "average" is not something you can take to the bank. And weather conditions can play a major part in one's performance. The temperature on Cape Cod in late October typically ranges between 45 and 60; typically the day is clear with a westerly breeze; and typically it is the peak of the fall folliage season. The course has been designed to minimize the effects of the wind (assuming the wind is blowing from the west); i.e., in exposed areas, the prevailing wind would be a tail wind and in areas where you might have a head wind, you are protected by trees and growth. In the last 20 years, however, it has rained once, been overcast at least six times, seen temperatures reach the mid to upper 70's (farenheit) three times and dip to the mid thirties with snow flurries once. In 2002, on the day before the marathon, there were 2 inches of rain, high winds, and 20 foot seas with some coastal flooding, but race day saw clear skies and temperatures in the mid to upper forties and PR's by 34% of the marathoners who had run a previous marathon!
|
|
