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Plymouth Turkey Trot features the least visited most important monument—National Monument to the Forefathers

: Steve Dubin, a spokesperson for the Plymouth Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5k Run and Walk, poses in front of the National Monument to the Forefathers. At 81 feet high, it is thought to be the world's largest solid granite monument, and is one stop along the five mile Plymouth Turkey Trot, which takes place on Thanksgiving morning starting at Plymouth Rock.
: Steve Dubin, a spokesperson for the Plymouth Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5k Run and Walk, poses in front of the National Monument to the Forefathers. At 81 feet high, it is thought to be the world’s largest solid granite monument, and is one stop along the five mile Plymouth Turkey Trot, which takes place on Thanksgiving morning starting at Plymouth Rock.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

Think Plymouth and what comes to mind? Thanksgiving, sure. Plymouth rock, of course. The Mayflower and Plimouth Plantation, no doubt. Yet perhaps the most important monument in town, the Forefathers Monument on Allerton Street, barely gets a sniff from visitors. On Thanksgiving Day that will change as several hundred runners participating in the Plymouth Turkey Trot will circle the National Monument to the Forefathers as part of the five-mile course.

Formerly known as Pilgrim Monument, the National Monument to the Forefathers commemorates the Mayflower Pilgrims. Dedicated on August 1, 1889, it honors their ideals as later generally embraced by the United States. At 81 feet high, it is thought to be the world’s largest solid granite monument, and is the third tallest statue in the United States.

“There are so many beauties to running a race in Plymouth on Thanksgiving Day. One, of course, is that you are in the birthplace of the Thanksgiving holiday. The other is that there’s so much more history to the area than just the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock,” said Steve Dubin, a spokesperson for the Plymouth Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5k Run and Walk. “With our two races– Plymouth Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5k Run and Walk—runners get the best of all worlds. Great course and great views while literally walking and running in the footsteps of our original settlers.”

The second annual Plymouth Turkey Trot starts at Memorial Park at Plymouth Rock at 7:45am. The five-mile course offers scenic views of the Plymouth’s picturesque oceanfront, and passes several historical sites including the aforementioned National Monument to the Forefathers, as well as Plymouth Rock, Burial Hill and The Mayflower. The cost to register is $27. Prizes will be awarded to men’s and women’s winners in several age groups.

The fourth annual Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5k Run and Walk kicks off from the Village Racquet and Fitness Center, at Pine Hills, 30 Gold Drive, Plymouth at 10:15 a.m. rain or shine, also on Thanksgiving morning. The course includes the oldest road in America, Old Sandwich Road. This race site was the original trail used by Pilgrims and Native Americans in the 1600’s as they traveled from Plymouth to Sandwich, Mass. Cost is $27.

The 2013 Second Helping Challenge welcomes runners to sign up for both races at a reduced rate of $40. Running both races earns runners a permanent listing on the Second Helping’s “Couch of Fame and on Plymouth Rock Racing’s Facebook as well as an exclusive and awesome Second Helping sweatshirt.

The top three combined time winners for both men’s and women’s divisions will receive a cool prize and trophy. Prizes will also be awarded to top Second Helping participants in the following age groups: 15 and under, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over.

For complete race information and registration details on the Plymouth Turkey Trot, Thanksgiving Day 5k and the Second Helping Challenge visit www.plymouthturkeytrot.com. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring either the Plymouth Turkey Trot or the Thanksgiving Day Turkey 5k, please contact Steve Dubin at 781-582-1061 or sdubin@prworkzone.com.

Plymouth Turkey Trot features the least visited most important monument—National Monument to the ForefathersRead More

New dirt on 2013 Old Sandwich Road Race. Kenyan Moninda Marube to defend half-marathon title at 2013 Old Sandwich Road Race

: 2012 Old Sandwich Road Race Half Marathon Winner Moninda Marube of Kenya with Race Director and Plymouth resident Craig Valentine Brenner. Marube will return to Plymouth, MA to run in the 2013 Old Sandwich Road Race half marathon.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

In 2012, the Old Sandwich Road Race celebrated its first international winner as Kenyan Moninda Marube set a course record in the half marathon. The Kenyan native recently announced he will return to run the dirt and defend his title in the 2013 Old Sandwich Road Race, which takes place on Sunday June 2.

“I have run many races in the U.S. and around the world. There is something special about the Old Sandwich Road Race that appeals to a runner’s soul. Maybe it’s the history, maybe it’s the dirt course. Most of all, it’s the people. I had a wonderful time running last year’s and am looking forward to returning,” said Marube.

The fourth annual Old Sandwich Road Race consists of a half marathon, 5k and 10k. A substantial portion of the half marathon takes place on the dirt section of Old Sandwich Road.

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. It offers perfect views for runners and a dirt road surface that’s far kinder to the body than asphalt or cement.

“We’re happy to have Moninda return to defend his title and that OSRR continues to be a desirable race for people across the country and now around the world,” said OSRR Spokesman Steve Dubin, noting that last year’s races drew runners from 28 states and four countries. “This year promises to be even more memorable with Moninda’s participation and the Boston Marathon runners.”

The Old Sandwich Road Race has waived the entry for Boston Marathon runners who, due to circumstances beyond their control, were unable to cross the finish line. One person, Julia Daly, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has already accepted the OSRR’s invitation.

“Words cannot describe how I felt that day. I was running to raise money for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. My disappointment in not being able to finish meant very little compared to what was going on just a few miles ahead of me,” said Daly. “I’m grateful to have my family, friends and self come out of that day healthy and alive. I think the best way to honor those who perished and were hurt is to keep running and that’s what I plan to do in Plymouth this June and back in Boston next year.”

Boston Marathon runners can RSVP by e-mailing the following information to the OSRR Race Director at runosrr@gmail.com:

  • First and last name
  • Address
  • Age on race day
  • Cell number
  • Email address

The OSRR features a total $3,000 winner-take-all purses for the half marathon male and female winners ($1500 each) and special edition finisher’s medals for all half marathon participants. In addition, this year’s race includes:

  • Newest available timing technology.
  • Great top finisher and age group awards.
  • Personalized finisher announcements.
  • An awesome high quality tech shirt!
  • Free food to all runners and their screaming fans!
  • Full uniformed Boy Scouts manning the water stops.
  • Professional, broadcast finish announcer.

OSRR’s early bird rate for the 5k ($24), 10k ($40) and half marathon ($60) ends on May 27. Prices will increase for runners registering at later dates and on race day.

The Old Sandwich Road Race benefits area charities, including The Home for Little Wanderer’s South Campus 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.

If you would like more information or are interested in running the 2013 Old Sandwich Road Race, please visit www.oldsandwichroadrace.com. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring the race, please contact Craig Valentine Brenner at 617-680-4230 or info@oldsandwichroadrace.com.

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.

New dirt on 2013 Old Sandwich Road Race. Kenyan Moninda Marube to defend half-marathon title at 2013 Old Sandwich Road RaceRead More