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Massachusetts half marathon

Local Boy Scouts District volunteers to man water stations at 2011 Old Sandwich Road Race.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

The Old Sandwich Road Race (OSRR), part of which takes place on America’s oldest road—Old Sandwich Road in Plymouth—recently announced that scouts from the Boy Scouts of America’s Old Colony Council will be manning the water stations for the half marathon and Entergy 10k on Sunday, June 5.

“We are thrilled to have the Boy Scouts of America on board with the rest of our dedicated volunteers,” said Craig Valentine Brenner, OSRR race director. “It was quite muggy for the first Old Sandwich Road Race. Since we expect to double the 500-plus runners who participated last year, we made a conscious decision for this year’s race to add several more water stations. Having this kind of manpower available to operate these stations properly will improve the experience and, probably, times for our runners.”

Scouts from the Cranberry Harbor district of the Old Colony Council BSA will work the water stations for the Old Sandwich Road Race’s Sunday events.  Scout participation in the Old Sandwich Road Race, which donates its proceeds to the Home for Little Wanderers’ Baird Center School in Plymouth, counts towards the scout’s community service requirement for several badges.

“The Boy Scouts are glad to be a part of this effort for a number of reasons, first and foremost the cause, The Baird Center School, an organization that the BSA has been involved with over the years,” said Barry Wood, the Cranberry Harbor’s district commissioner. “The Boy Scouts get asked to volunteer for a number of community endeavors. The Old Sandwich Road Race is desirable because of the cause, the history of the area but most importantly because it’s an activity that brings people from the community together.”

The 2011 Old Sandwich Road Race will take place over the course of two days, Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5. The Saturday race will feature the Kids Classic and a new addition to the Old Sandwich Road Race, the OSRR 5k. Sunday’s main events include the OSRR Half Marathon, which takes place on Old Sandwich Road, and the Entergy 10k, beginning at Plimouth Plantation. All races end at Plymouth South High School.

Volunteers are still needed for race planning, fundraising and race weekend activities ranging from registration, water stations, security and more. If interested, send an e-mail to info@oldsandwichroadrace.com with “Volunteer” in the subject line or visit www.oldsandwichroadrace.com and click on the volunteers link.

“Volunteers are really the backbone of any race of this nature,” said Brenner. “Based on the initial registrations, the Old Sandwich Road Race is really on the verge of becoming a destination race. If you’re a runner, or used to be a runner, or just somebody who wants to help out a race that’s trying to raise money for a worthy cause, you couldn’t ask for a better race to be a part of.”

Originally a trail used by the Wampanoag Native American tribe, Old Sandwich Road later became the nation’s first true public road and a stagecoach route to ferry passengers and mail back and forth between the Massachusetts towns of Plymouth and Sandwich. Today, the road remains pretty much as the Pilgrims left it–a wide, scenic, dirt road bordered by beautiful tall pine trees and towering oaks.

For complete information on the Old Sandwich Road Race, you can visit the Old Sandwich Road Race Web site at http://www.oldsandwichroadrace.com. Selected by Runner’s World, as “one of the five races not to miss in 2010”, The Old Sandwich Road Race also has pages on Facebook and Twitter. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring next year’s race, please contact Craig Valentine Brenner at 617-680-4230 or info@oldsandwichroadrace.com.

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Volunteers needed for Old Sandwich Road Race on June 6.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

On June 6, the first ever Old Sandwich Road Race will take place on, you guessed it, Old Sandwich Road in Plymouth, Mass—the oldest road in America. Volunteers are needed in all areas of this race, which includes a half marathon starting on Old Sandwich Road near Ellisville Harbor State Park, and a 10k starting at Plimouth Plantation. Both races will finish at Plymouth South High School.

“As a first year race with two starting locations, we need all the help we can get. That includes behind the scenes prior to the race and volunteers to help before, during and after the race,” said Craig Valentine Brenner, race director for the Old Sandwich Road Race. “So while it’s going to be a lot of work, it’s also going to be a lot of fun and the profits from the race are going to a very good cause, The Home for Little Wanderer’s Baird Center in Plymouth.”

The Baird Center School is a year-round residential and day school treatment program for youth aged 10-18 with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, educational and psychiatric issues. Adding yet another historical element to the Old Sandwich Road Race, The Home for Little Wanderers is the nation’s oldest non-profit child and family service agency, with roots dating back to 1799.

In addition the 10k and half marathon, the Old Sandwich Road Race will also include a Kids Classic. The Kids Classic features four one-mile kids’ races with age groups from 7 to 14 years of age and a children’s fun sprint of 100 meters. The Kids Classic will take place on the track at Plymouth South High School.

“We have a strong board of volunteers who have taken the Race this far but with essentially three starting locations and a large finish line area, not to mention pre-race registration, water stops along the way and all the other jobs that go into a race, we need some help,” said Brenner. “Anybody who wants to be a part of a fun, one-of-a-kind, historic road race that will benefit the people and businesses of America’s hometown of Plymouth are welcome.”

Those interested in volunteering can do so online by going to http://www.oldsandwichroadrace.com/volunteer.php. For companies interested in sponsoring the Old Sandwich Road Race, the minimum sponsorship is $250. Current sponsors include: Entergy, Retrofit Technologies, Bayside Runner, King Collision Centers and the Village Racquet & Fitness Club at the Pinehills.

Originally a trail used by the Wampanoag Native American tribe, Old Sandwich Road later became the nation’s first true public road and a stagecoach route to ferry passengers and mail back and forth between the Massachusetts towns of Plymouth and Sandwich. Today, the road remains pretty much as the Pilgrims left it–a wide, scenic, dirt road bordered by beautiful tall pine trees and towering oaks.

For information about the race and registration, please visit http://www.oldsandwichroadrace.com.

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