Gansett Half Marathon Returns for 5th Year

The 5th Annual Gansett Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 21 at 9am. The race starts and finishes just in front of the Gazebo in Narragansett Pier, taking runners on a scenic 13.1-mile course, first heading south toward Pt. Judith Lighthouse via Kinney Road, Clarke Road, and Ocean Road, and after a turnaround at the lighthouse, traveling north on Ocean Road to a photo finish along the seawall, just past the Towers.

Race headquarters is the North Beach Clubhouse, just a short walk up the road from the start/finish area, and there is plentiful parking in the North and South Beach parking lots. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three Male and Female finishers, and a $100 cash prize will be awarded if a new course record is set. Age-group prizes will be awarded, as well. All participants will receive a long-sleeved race tshirt and a custom finisher's medal, and free race photos will be available for download shortly after the race.

Fruit and water will be available to runners as they cross the finish line, courtesy of local grocer Belmont Market. Runners will enjoy a post-race meal of soup and sandwiches from Gansett Wraps. Thanks to generous donations, participants will also receive RX Bars and Fuel for Fire Protein Smoothies at packet pickup/registration, and free post-race massages will be available from the CCRI School of Massage Therapy.

Proceeds from the race are distributed to the Narragansett Youth Track Series, the Narragansett Track & Field Teams, several area Cross-Country teams, local youth running clubs and organizations, as well as scholarships for Narragansett and South Kingstown graduating seniors.

Registration is just $65 through September 30, and $75 from October 1 through race day. Registration and packet pickup will be available Saturday, October 20 from Noon - 5pm at Wakefield Running Company, and from 7 - 8:30am on Sunday, October 21 at the North Beach Clubhouse. Online registration at: http://www.lightboxreg.com/gan...

For more information, visit www.gansetthalfmarathon.com, or email gansetthalf@yahoo.com.

The Gansett Half Marathon is organized by the Narragansett Running Association, a running club and nonprofit that is committed to encouraging a healthy approach to running and training for runners of all ages and all levels of ability, and supporting the running community and charitable causes by organizing, volunteering, and participating in running related and social events in the South County Area. The club meets regularly throughout the week for group runs and social activities, and all are welcome to attend, whether they are members or not.

For information about the Narragansett Running Association, visit www.gansettrunning.org, or email gansett_running@yahoo.com