Feaster Five Road Race

Last updated
Feaster Five Road Race
Feaster Logo 2018.png
Date Thanksgiving Day
Location Andover, Massachusetts, United States
Event typeRoad
Distance5 miles (8K certified) and 5 kilometers (3.1 mi)
Primary sponsorMerrimack Valley Striders
BeneficiaryThe Merrimack Valley YMCA, Bellesini Academy, Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm, Merrimack Valley Striders, and Groundwork Lawrence
EstablishedNovember 24, 1988
Official site feasterfive.com
Participants10,720 (in 2012) [1]

The Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race, more commonly called the Feaster Five, is a 5-mile road race held annually in Andover, Massachusetts, United States, on the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving Day. It is one of the Bay State's largest five mile races (with an estimated 10,720 participants in 2012). [2] The race has been held every Thanksgiving morning since 1988, and is one of a number of races across the nation known colloquially as a "Turkey Trot."

Contents

Proceeds from the race benefit Merrimack Valley Striders Scholarship Program, the Bellesini Academy, Groundworks Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley YMCA. [3]

Children ages 2–12 can participate in a shorter, one-kilometer race called The Kids' K. [4]

History

1980s

On November 24, 1988 the first Feaster Five was held, and approximately 300 runners finished. The first men's winner was Ken Pliska, and Amy Legacki was the first women's winner. [4]

The second race in 1989 almost did not happen because of an early nor'easter that deposited more than six inches of heavy wet snow on the course at the start of the race. Approximately 400 runners completed the race in near whiteout conditions. In 1990, apple pies were given out to all runners, a tradition that continues every year. [4]

1990s

In 1992, Johnny Kelley appeared as an honored guest at the start of the race. This was the first year that walkers were officially allowed into the race. In 1996, Lynn Jennings, the winner of the bronze medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics for the 10,000 meters, placed first in the women's division.

2000s

In 2000, FRID timing was used for the first time to obtain a more accurate time for each runner. [4]

In 2004, actor Matt Damon ran the race along with his father Kent.

In 2005, women participants outnumbered men for the first time. [4] In 2009, more than 9,147 runners and walkers registered for the race, and the first ever women's Olympic marathon champion Joan Benoit Samuelson won first place in the woman's division at the age of 52.

2010s

In 2011, Senator Scott Brown officially started the 24th Feaster Five Road Race. [5]

Just before the start of the 2015 race, a small drone hit a tree branch near the start of the race and crashed into the crowd. Its rotors injured two runners with small lacerations. [6]

The 2017 race was the 30th anniversary, and the first 9,000 entrants were guaranteed a hoodie-style race shirt. The youngest runner was one year old, and the oldest was 93, with a total of 9,966 total entrants. Ruben Senca won the five-mile race for the fifth time. [7]

Due to record-setting cold weather, the 2018 race organizers were forced to cancel the five-mile race and the kids' run, leaving only run the five-kilometer race for all participants. [8] Of the 8,500 registered runners, nearly 4,000 took part in the race. [9] The 2018 race raised more than $75,000 for the five charitable partners.

2020s

A virtual race was held in November 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Live races will resume in 2021.

Course description

The Feaster Five starting line in Andover, Massachusetts in 2015 Feaster Five Starting line.jpg
The Feaster Five starting line in Andover, Massachusetts in 2015

8-kilometer course

The 8-kilometer race begins on Main Street at the intersection of Route 28 and Route 133. The first mile is mostly uphill and goes through the historic Andover Center. The course then turns left of Morton Street, left on Bartlett Street, and then a right onto Chestnut Street. It then makes a left onto Pasho Street. a right onto Summer Street, a left onto Washington Street, a left onto Elm Street, a right on Maple Street, and then a quick left turn on Walnut Avenue. When the runner take a right onto High Street they join up with the runners from the 5-kilometer race. The 8-kilometer runners keep to the right side of the street while the 5-kilometer runners keep to the left. The race then proceeds to a left on Haverhill Street for approximately 1/2 mile, then makes a right turn on York Street and uphill to the finish at the Brickstone Square parking lot. [4] There are typically stands in the Brickstone Square parking lot giving food and drinks to the runners, including apple pie.

5-kilometer course

The 5-kilometer race begins at the same time and place of the 8-kilometer race, but takes a left turn at the top of the hill on Elm Street. The runners then make a left turn onto High Street and later merge with the runners from the 8-kilometer race at the corner of High and Walnut Streets. The race then proceeds to a left on Haverhill Street for approximately 1/2 mile, then makes a right turn on York Street and uphill to the finish at the Brickstone Square parking lot. [4]

Past winners

5-kilometer

YearMale winnerFemale winner
1995Michael CroninFlag of the United States.svg  United States 16:41Mary DonahueFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:20
1996Guy SternsFlag of the United States.svg  United States 15:51Kara MolloyFlag of the United States.svg  United States 19:23
1997Dan LeboeufFlag of the United States.svg  United States 16:42Jennifer LincolnFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:30
1998Matthew ElyFlag of the United States.svg  United States 16:12Jennifer Lincoln-ToomeyFlag of the United States.svg  United States 17:44 (course record)
1999Matt St. GermaineFlag of the United States.svg  United States 15:44Kara MolloyFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:43
2000Matthew ElyFlag of the United States.svg  United States 15:55Courtney FamigliettiFlag of the United States.svg  United States 20:07
2001Doug MartynFlag of the United States.svg  United States 16:13Jessica ParrottFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:52
2002Tim GalebachFlag of the United States.svg  United States 16:18Miae JacobsFlag of the United States.svg  United States 19:02
2003Matthew ElyFlag of the United States.svg  United States 16:14Melissa DonaisFlag of the United States.svg  United States 19:03
2004Phil ShawFlag of the United States.svg  United States 16:18Melissa DonaisFlag of the United States.svg  United States 19:04
2005Harry NortonFlag of the United States.svg  United States 16:16Meaghan ShawFlag of the United States.svg  United States 19:09
2006Harry NortonFlag of the United States.svg  United States 15:52Katie TwarogFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:46
2007Harry NortonFlag of the United States.svg  United States 15:40Allison McCabeFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:04
2008Glenn RandallFlag of the United States.svg  United States 15:57Allison McCabeFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:34
2009Eric NarcisiFlag of the United States.svg  United States 16:31Allison McCabeFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:11
2010Kevin AllietteFlag of the United States.svg  United States 16:00Allison McCabeFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:57 [10]
2011Kyle WhiteFlag of the United States.svg  United States 17:45 [11] Melissa DonaisFlag of the United States.svg  United States 19:36 [11]
2012Pat FullertonFlag of the United States.svg  United States 15:46Allison McCabeFlag of the United States.svg  United States 17:56 [1]
2013Pat FullertonFlag of the United States.svg  United States 15:08 (course record)Alanna McDonoughFlag of the United States.svg  United States 19:16 [12]
2014Mike CarleoneFlag of the United States.svg  United States 16:04Anna WillardFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:26 [13]
2015Eric McDonaldFlag of the United States.svg  United States 16:15Christina SupinoFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:37 [14]
2016Neal DarmodyFlag of the United States.svg  United States 15:37Allison McCabeFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:32 [15]
2017Neal Darmody and Jacob Johns (Tie)Flag of the United States.svg  United States 15:57Alanna McDonoughFlag of the United States.svg  United States 19:00 [7]
2018Neal DarmodyFlag of the United States.svg  United States 15:45Catherine BeckFlag of the United States.svg  United States 18:37 [9]

5-kilometer wheelchair

YearMale winnerFemale winner
2017Brian GauthierFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:26Katie AdieFlag of the United States.svg  United States 34:06 [16]

8-kilometer

YearMale winnerFemale winner
1988Ken PliskaFlag of the United States.svg  United States UnknownAmy LegackiFlag of the United States.svg  United States Unknown
1989UnknownFlag of the United States.svg  United States UnknownUnknownFlag of the United States.svg  United States Unknown
1990UnknownFlag of the United States.svg  United States UnknownUnknownFlag of the United States.svg  United States Unknown
1991UnknownFlag of the United States.svg  United States UnknownUnknownFlag of the United States.svg  United States Unknown
1992UnknownFlag of the United States.svg  United States UnknownUnknownFlag of the United States.svg  United States Unknown
1993Scott BagleyFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:07Gina SperryFlag of the United States.svg  United States 28:04
1994George YiannelisFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:18Lisa SenatoreFlag of the United States.svg  United States 28:04
1995George YiannelisFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:07Joan SamuelsonFlag of the United States.svg  United States 27:39
1996Dave DunhamFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:38Lynn JenningsFlag of the United States.svg  United States 27:33
1997Chris TeagueFlag of the United States.svg  United States 25:00Lynn JenningsFlag of the United States.svg  United States 28:08
1998Chris TeagueFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:18Terri-Anne McGettrickFlag of the United States.svg  United States 28:44
1999Dave HingaFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:04 (course record)Terri-Anne McGettrickFlag of the United States.svg  United States 28:21
2000Chris TeagueFlag of the United States.svg  United States 25:01Terri-Anne McGettrickFlag of the United States.svg  United States 29:41
2001Michael SmithFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:56Suzy WalshFlag of the United States.svg  United States 29:29
2002Dave HingaFlag of the United States.svg  United States 25:19Kara HaasFlag of the United States.svg  United States 29:33
2003Casey MoultonFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:40Terri-Anne McGettrickFlag of the United States.svg  United States 28:40
2004Dave HingaFlag of the United States.svg  United States 25:42Simonetta PiergentiliFlag of the United States.svg  United States 30:09
2005Matt PimentalFlag of the United States.svg  United States 25:55Terri-Anne McGettrickFlag of the United States.svg  United States 30:38
2006Patrick MoultonFlag of the United States.svg  United States 25:15Terri-Anne McGettrick ArpinFlag of the United States.svg  United States 30:07
2007Tobias LundgrenFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 25:27Kim WebsterFlag of the United States.svg  United States 29:31
2008Harry NortonFlag of the United States.svg  United States 25:24Kim WebsterFlag of the United States.svg  United States 29:52
2009Nate JenkinsFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:44 Joan Samuelson Flag of the United States.svg  United States 30:10
2010Nate JenkinsFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:10 [10] Catherine BeckFlag of the United States.svg  United States 29:44 [10]
2011Nate JenkinsFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:25 Joan Samuelson Flag of the United States.svg  United States 30:21 [5]
2012Nate JenkinsFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24:43Catherine BeckFlag of the United States.svg  United States 28:10 [1]
2013Ruben SancaFlag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 24:19Kirsten KasperFlag of the United States.svg  United States 27:48 [12]
2014Ruben SancaFlag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 25:13Catherine BeckFlag of the United States.svg  United States 29:20 [13]
2015Ruben SancaFlag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 24:34Catherine BeckFlag of the United States.svg  United States 29:08 [14]
2016Ruben SancaFlag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 24:44Danielle PotoFlag of the United States.svg  United States 30:19 [15]
2017Ruben SancaFlag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 24:43Maggie MullinsFlag of the United States.svg  United States 29:13 [7]
2018Race cancelledNANARace CancelledNANA [9]

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References

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