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Overview The Great Island Road Race is hosted by the New Castle Recreation Committee. The race was conceived in 1993 by two runners on the committee, who had dreamed about the chance to run a race in such a spectacular ocean side location. The idea fit well with a goal of the committee to raise the funds necessary to install a new play ground at the Great Island Common. Fourteen races we have installed the playground, a skating rink at New Castle Common, assisted in the installation of a new playground at MHT Elementary School, and contributed to the Portsmouth High School Track and Field Booster Club and the New Castle Recreation Fund. Just as importantly, we have developed a reputation as a first class race that really gives back to the runners. If Delicious Food, Great T-Shirts, a huge raffle, First Class Hospitality, and a Spectacular Course that winds along the water front of historic New Castle during peak foliage sound good to you, please join us for the Great Island Road Race! New this year, the Great Island Road Race is a Seacoast Road Race Series event! When is the race? The 5K is Sunday October 12, 2008 at 10:00 AM - The kids fun runs start at 10:45 AM Where is the race? Both the registration center and the start of the race are at the Great Island Common in New Castle, NH. The start is less than 200 meters from the registration center. The race itself starts and finishes at the same spot. The course winds around the scenic roads of New Castle. For google directions to the Great Island Common click here. For a map of the race course click here. Who benefits from the proceeds of the race? After covering expenses (with the assistance of our sponsors) all proceeds go to benefit the Portsmouth High School Track and Field Booster Club and the New Castle Recreation Fund. On average, we have raised over $10,000.00 per year to benefit these and other causes. What does the race cost? The cost for on-line entry is $15.00 plus a processing fee of $2.50. The cost by mail or in person is $20.00. The cost for entry into the fun run is $5.00. How can I register? You can register on-line (by clicking this On-line Registration link), by filling out and mailing in a race application that you pick up at Runner's Alley or a local race, by printing out, completing, and mailing in a registration form (available in pdf format here), or by coming to race day registration the evening before and the day of the race. Please note that the 5K has a limit of 1200 entrants. When is race day registration and number pick-up? 5K runners may register or pickup their Numbers and T-Shirts on the Saturday evening before the race from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM or on race day from 8:00 - 9:45 AM at the Great Island Common Recreation Building. Race day registration for the fun runs is also on the Saturday evening before the race and on race day from 8:00 - 10:40 AM at the Great Island Common Recreation Building. Am I guaranteed a T-Shirt? All runners who enter the 5K by Friday October 3, 2008 (either on-line or postmarked) are guaranteed a T-Shirt featuring the work of local artist Dusty Tarbell. See a sample of T-Shirts from previous years here. What about the kid fun runs? Our fun runs have turned into one of the highlights of the day, with over 200 kids taking part. All kids will receive a medal. All children who enter by Friday October 3, 2008 (either on-line or postmarked) are guaranteed a T-Shirt featuring the work of a local elementary school student (see samples here). Fun run distances are approximate and will be as follows:
What about 5K awards? There are open, age-grade masters, age-group, New Castle resident, and team awards. There is also a $400 bonus for setting a new course record. The current course records are 14:51 for males - set by Eric Morse in 1999 - and 16:37 for females - set by Claudia Camargo in 2006. The open awards are as follows:
The age-grade masters awards are as follows:
Age Group awards are Gift Certificates or Merchandise to the top 3 finishers in the following age groups:
The first male and female New Castle residents will receive a Gift Certificate. The fastest team (based on total time for the 5 fastest team members) and the largest team will receive an award. Special custom t-shirts will be awarded to the fastest non-cross country High School team. High School teams can also enter at a discounted rate. Contact us for details. Are walkers welcome? Walking is a great way to take in the beauty of our course. We encourage those interested in walking to join the fun! |