Feaster Five Road Race
DateThanksgiving Day
LocationAndover, 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 sitefeasterfive.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."

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.
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 as 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

Year Male winner Female winner
1995Michael Cronin United States16:41Mary Donahue United States18:20
1996Guy Sterns United States15:51Kara Molloy United States19:23
1997Dan Leboeuf United States16:42Jennifer Lincoln United States18:30
1998Matthew Ely United States16:12Jennifer Lincoln-Toomey United States17:44 (course record)
1999Matt St. Germaine United States15:44Kara Molloy United States18:43
2000Matthew Ely United States15:55Courtney Famiglietti United States20:07
2001Doug Martyn United States16:13Jessica Parrott United States18:52
2002Tim Galebach United States16:18Miae Jacobs United States19:02
2003Matthew Ely United States16:14Melissa Donais United States19:03
2004Phil Shaw United States16:18Melissa Donais United States19:04
2005Harry Norton United States16:16Meaghan Shaw United States19:09
2006Harry Norton United States15:52Katie Twarog United States18:46
2007Harry Norton United States15:40Allison McCabe United States18:04
2008Glenn Randall United States15:57Allison McCabe United States18:34
2009Eric Narcisi United States16:31Allison McCabe United States18:11
2010Kevin Alliette United States16:00Allison McCabe United States18:57[10]
2011Kyle White United States17:45[11]Melissa Donais United States19:36[11]
2012Pat Fullerton United States15:46Allison McCabe United States17:56[1]
2013Pat Fullerton United States15:08 (course record)Alanna McDonough United States19:16[12]
2014Mike Carleone United States16:04Anna Willard United States18:26[13]
2015Eric McDonald United States16:15Christina Supino United States18:37[14]
2016Neal Darmody United States15:37Allison McCabe United States18:32[15]
2017Neal Darmody and Jacob Johns (Tie) United States15:57Alanna McDonough United States19:00[7]
2018Neal Darmody United States15:45Catherine Beck United States18:37[9]

5-kilometer wheelchair

Year Male winner Female winner
2017Brian Gauthier United States24:26Katie Adie United States34:06[16]

8-kilometer

Year Male winner Female winner
1988Ken Pliska United StatesUnknownAmy Legacki United StatesUnknown
1989Unknown United StatesUnknownUnknown United StatesUnknown
1990Unknown United StatesUnknownUnknown United StatesUnknown
1991Unknown United StatesUnknownUnknown United StatesUnknown
1992Unknown United StatesUnknownUnknown United StatesUnknown
1993Scott Bagley United States24:07Gina Sperry United States28:04
1994George Yiannelis United States24:18Lisa Senatore United States28:04
1995George Yiannelis United States24:07Joan Samuelson United States27:39
1996Dave Dunham United States24:38Lynn Jennings United States27:33
1997Chris Teague United States25:00Lynn Jennings United States28:08
1998Chris Teague United States24:18Terri-Anne McGettrick United States28:44
1999Dave Hinga United States24:04 (course record)Terri-Anne McGettrick United States28:21
2000Chris Teague United States25:01Terri-Anne McGettrick United States29:41
2001Michael Smith United States24:56Suzy Walsh United States29:29
2002Dave Hinga United States25:19Kara Haas United States29:33
2003Casey Moulton United States24:40Terri-Anne McGettrick United States28:40
2004Dave Hinga United States25:42Simonetta Piergentili United States30:09
2005Matt Pimental United States25:55Terri-Anne McGettrick United States30:38
2006Patrick Moulton United States25:15Terri-Anne McGettrick Arpin United States30:07
2007Tobias Lundgren Sweden25:27Kim Webster United States29:31
2008Harry Norton United States25:24Kim Webster United States29:52
2009Nate Jenkins United States24:44Joan Samuelson United States30:10
2010Nate Jenkins United States24:10[10]Catherine Beck United States29:44[10]
2011Nate Jenkins United States24:25Joan Samuelson United States30:21[5]
2012Nate Jenkins United States24:43Catherine Beck United States28:10[1]
2013Ruben Sanca Cape Verde24:19Kirsten Kasper United States27:48[12]
2014Ruben Sanca Cape Verde25:13Catherine Beck United States29:20[13]
2015Ruben Sanca Cape Verde24:34Catherine Beck United States29:08[14]
2016Ruben Sanca Cape Verde24:44Danielle Poto United States30:19[15]
2017Ruben Sanca Cape Verde24:43Maggie Mullins United States29:13[7]
2018Race cancelledNANARace CancelledNANA[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Burt, Bill (23 November 2012). "It's official: Feaster Five tops the 10,000 mark". The Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
  2. ↑ http://www.feasterfive.com/Home_Page.htm Archived 2009-11-12 at the Wayback Machine title=Feaster Five Main Page accessdate=2009-11-25 Merrimack Valley Striders
  3. ↑ http://www.eagletribune.com/archivesearch/local_story_313023356.html The Lawrence Eagle Tribune Online Feaster Five Road Race is coming 2009-11-25
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Eagle Tribune Feaster Five, 2010 Official Program", Eagle Tribune, North Andover, Massachusetts, pp. 4–9, November 2010
  5. 1 2 "Benoit does it again ... she wins". The Eagle-Tribune. Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. November 25, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  6. ↑ Cruz, Gabriella (2015-12-01). "Feaster Five drone crash under investigation". The Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  7. 1 2 3 "Feaster Five 2017". Granite State Race Services LLC. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
  8. ↑ Copeland, Dave (2018-11-20). "Cold Forces Feaster Five To Scale Down Event". Patch.com. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  9. 1 2 3 "Feaster Five 2018". Granite State Race Services LLC. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  10. 1 2 3 Bill Burt (November 26, 2010). "Feaster Five breaks record with 10,123 participants". Eagle Tribune. Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  11. 1 2 "5k Top 10 M&F". The Active Network, Inc. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  12. 1 2 Burt, Bill (2013-11-29). "Bradford's Fullerton shatters mark for Feaster 5K". EagleTribune.com. Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
  13. 1 2 Burt, Bill (2014-11-27). "Without a hitch". Eagle-Tribune. Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved 2014-12-15.
  14. 1 2 Burt, Bill (2015-11-27). "Perfect weather for Feaster Five". The Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  15. 1 2 Burt, Bill (2016-11-25). "Mannequin Challenge hits Feaster Five". The Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  16. ↑ "5kWheelchairs". Retrieved 2017-11-29.
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