Falmouth Road Race Set for Sunday

Now in its 39th year, the 7-mile New Balance Falmouth Road Race will take place at 10am Sunday with more than 12,000 competitors from all over the world—that's more than a third of the town's year-round population.

So why has this particular race—which had its humble beginnings as a mere "bar run" from the Captain Kidd in Woods Hole to the now-defunct Brothers Four bar in Falmouth Heights—endured for nearly four decades? 

"This is really an iconic run," said Matt Auger, Interim Director of this year's Falmouth Road Race. "The course is one of the most beautiful in the world."

Indeed, with a route that stretches from scenic Woods Hole and along the shore by Surf Drive and into the Heights, it's no wonder the runners have traveled to Falmouth from as far away as New Zealand and Ethiopia. 

"The overall atmosphere that Falmouth creates is really wonderful," said Auger, noting the race's long-standing hospitality towards the runners. In addition to the 2,000 volunteers who help ensure the race goes off without a hitch, all 70 of the race's elite athletes stay the weekend in the homes of local host families, and a portion of their travel expenses are paid for by the race's sponsors. 

That said, the competitive spirit will no doubt be alive and well Sunday, as the runners will compete for more than $100,000 in prize money, including hefty incentives for the top American finishers.

A host of auxiliary events, such as the Falmouth Mile and the Falmouth 5K Walk for charity, will also round out the weekend's roster of athletic competitions.

But don't worry if you're not the most athletically inclined among Falmouth's tens of thousands of visitors and summer residents this weekend. Watching the race from the scenic sidelines of the course can be almost as much fun (if not more) than actually running it. 

"It means a lot to have people cheering the runners on," Auger said, adding that Surf Drive usually has plenty of room for spectators (and is breezy on a hot day to boot). 

A schedule of this weekend's events can be found on the Road Race's website.