Scenic Winter Road Race back by popular demand

by Kim Centazzo

Courtesy of East Bay Newspapers

LITTLE COMPTON — The Little Compton Education Foundation will host the Scenic Winter Road Race this Saturday, Jan. 5, starting at 10 a.m., at the Wilbur McMahon School in Little Compton.

Matt Allder, president of the Little Compton Education Foundation, said the 4.8-mile race is one way the nonprofit organization hopes to assist Little Compton students in 2008.

"We want to raise some money and raise awareness about our schools," Mr. Allder said.

The last Scenic Winter Road Race was held in 2004 and was sponsored by the Little Compton After School Club. The After School Club decided not to sponsor the race the next year, and it has been suspended until now, Mr. Allder said.

"It takes a great deal of time and energy," he said. "We were looking for another way to raise money for the students so we decided to sponsor the event." Mr. Allder said the group has been planning the race for about a year.

"Now all we need to do is get the word out and get the runners," he said. "We can't do the race without them."

The Little Compton Education Foundation hopes to attract 250 to 300 runners Saturday. Mr. Allder, who is an avid runner, participated in the 2004 race. There were about 220 runners that year, he said, despite the 5-degree weather.

"We're hoping for good weather," he said. "The better the weather, the more runners we're likely to get."

Mr. Allder said he anticipates that runners will come from all over the state and Southeastern Massachusetts.

The race is for all types of runners, he said.

"It's a good way to get people outside, set some personal goals, shoot for some prizes and start the New Year off right."

The online registration fee is $16 until Jan. 3, and $18 by mail. The registration fee will be $20 on race day. Checks may be made out to Little Compton Education Foundation, and t-shirts will be given to all race participants.

Prizes and categories

The race organizers will award prizes to the top three men and women. The top three men and women in the following categories will also receive a prize: Junior (19 and under), Open (20-39), Master (40-49), Senior (50-59), Veteran (60-69) and Little Compton ("Genuine locals" — full-time permanent residents).

The course

Runners will line up at the Wilbur and McMahon School, 28 Old Commons Road. Participants will run down Old Commons Road, onto Swamp Road, up West Main Road and across Meeting House Lane and back to the Wilbur and McMahon School, Mr. Allder said.

Post race

Soups and chowders from local stores and sponsors will be served at the race.

More

For more information visit www.lceducationfoundation.org or contact technical director Meredith Nelson, (401) 885-132, or by e-mail, organizationplus@cox.net.

The Little Compton Education Foundation is looking for volunteers to help with the event. To volunteer, email info@lceducationfoundation.org.

- - - End - - -