Striding Along - Gate City Striders

RACING AHEAD
A LOOK AT SOME UPCOMING TRIAD RACING TEAM EVENTS BY MICHAEL WADE
March 20 - New Bedford Half Marathon
New Bedford, MA (NEGP)
In 2011 the NEGP returns again to the New
Bedford Half-Marathon on March 20 in New
Bedford, MA. It is the 34th annual running of this
classic race and features a fast loop through a
historic seaport city that embraces the race and
welcomes the runners as friends. The race has been
rated in the top 25 Half-Marathons in United
States by Runner’s World magazine and the top
Half-Marathon in New England by New England
Runner magazine. The women’s world record of
1:08:32 was set on this course in 1989 by Ingrid
Kristiansen of Norway. The men’s course record
of 1:02:05 is also world class and set in 1986 by
Geoff Smith. Race headquarters is the New
Bedford YMCA on South Water Street. Cash
awards will be given to the top 3 male and female
winners in the Open & Masters (40-49) age categories.
Cash awards will also be given to the top
teams in each of the following divisions as well:
Open, Masters (40 – 49), Veterans (50 – 59),
Seniors (60 and over). For additional race information,
including a course map and directions to the
start please check out the race website at
www.newbedfordhalfmarathon.com
The New England Grand Prix represent the best
road racing the region has to offer. All the best
running clubs in the area have been well represented
in the series except for ours. This year is our
year to make a real series splash. With the depth
that this team has to offer and the fact that the
club has committed to pre-paying all race entry
fees for club members, there’s no reason why Gate
City shouldn’t be able to field scoring teams of 5
runners in each division. We’re gearing up to be
competitive in this year’s series. If you’re interested
in joining us, drop me a line at
mwade@ganekarchitects.com The 2011 USATF
New England Grand Prix - this year we’re bringing
it all on home!
March 27 – Shamrock Shuffle 2m
Manchester, NH (NHGP)
The Manchester Shamrock Shuffle is a first-time
New Hampshire Grand Prix Race. It’s an Irishthemed,
2-mile road race that kicks off the St.
Patrick’s Parade in downtown Manchester. It runs
on the actual parade route! The common start and
finish is located on Elm Street at Veteran’s Park in
front of the Parade stage. The course runs north
and south on Elm Street just minutes before the
parade. The Manchester St. Patrick’s Parade
attracts nearly 40,000 spectators to watch some of
New England’s finest marching units. So, the race
atmosphere promises to be amazing! Multi-color
Tech Hats will be given to the first 500 to register
& PINT GLASS to all pre-registrants (age 21+)
Fill up your pint glass with 2 BEER TOKENS at
any one of the participating bars on the parade
course while you watch the parade or anytime over
the following week. Cash prizes will be awarded
to the top 3 Overall Male & Female finishers. And,
awards will be given to the top 3 Men & Women in
all individual categories. The pre-race day registration
fee is $22 online at https://
registration.strands.com no later than March 26th.
The race day registration fee is $30, from 9:00 a.m.
to 10:45 p.m., at Veterans Park – 700 Elm Street.
For additional race information, including a course
Continued on page 17
February - April 2011 Striding Along 16