"We Gather Together" 5K
 We Gather Together | |
| Vital Statistics | |
|---|---|
| When | Thanksgiving Day |
| Town | Sandwich |
| Where | Wing School on Route 130 |
| Distance | 5K |
| Status | Active |
| First Running | 2001 |
| Current Certification | No |
| Sanctioned | None |
| Typical Field | 1500 |
| Contact Information | |
| Contact | Time Out! Productions, (508) 224-3601 |
| Website | http://www.timeoutproductions.com/ |
Special Notes
Many families have made the annual Turkey Trot an integral part of the Thanksgiving Day celebration. While Cape Cod has seen its share of Turkey Trots over the years, race director Rich Havens has created a winning event with the "We Gather Together" 5K through the involvement of local food pantries, businesses and the entire community. Entry into the race will cost you a bag of groceries and $10 to cover race expenses. With a typical field of 900-1500, the race participants stock local food pantries with enough supplies to last several months. The short, hilly course which winds up past Heritage Plantation and back to the Wing School is a winner with the large crowd of walkers and holiday revelers who are looking to burn a few calories before embarking on an afternoon tour of the dining table. While there are a few competitive runners at the front, the majority of the crowd is just there for the fun, the company, and to contribute some items to the less fortunate among the Cape population. Results are only recorded for the first 100-200 finishers and gift certificates to top finishers are mailed a week or two after the event. Many local establishments also donate merchandise and gift certificates for a post-event raffle. Weather on Thanksgiving Day can be erratic, ranging from a brisk clear 20 degrees F to a rainy, soggy, mid-50’s. Bagels, muffins, juice, apples, bananas, coffee and hot chocolate are available to all after the run. In 2006, the course was altered (see Course 2) due to traffic concerns out and around the marina. The 2006 course featured two additional hills but was well away from the scenic harbor and canal of the inaugural years. In 2007, event HQ was moved from the Stop & Shop parking lot to the Wing School on Route 130 (see Course 3). In addition to a more challenging course, the new venue provides heat and a dry place for both the participants and the volunteers. While the distances of all courses have consistently been advertised as 5K, they tend to always be closer to 3 miles. In 2009, the course was altered to avoid construction at the Sandwich Town Hall. In order to avoid congestion at the intersections of Grove Street, Route 130 and Tupper Road, the return path included a quick turn on to Tupper, a right on River Street and then back on to Main Street. In addition to a little variety, the modification added about 0.05 mile and made the course just a bit over 5K.
Course Records
Course 1
- Open Men - Robert LaPlante: 15:38 (2004)
- Open Women - Michelle Palmer: 18:26 (2004)
Course 2
- Open Men - Robert LaPlante: 15:32 (2006)
- Open Women - Lori Horan: 18:19 (2006)
Course 3
- Open Men - Jason Lyon: 15:14 (2008)
- Open Women - Laura Hutchinson: 18:38 (2008)
Course 4
- Open Men - Jake Klim: 16:02 (2009)
- Open Women - Nicole Mauro: 19:13 (2009)
The Course
Course 1 (2001-2005) - Start on Merchants Road at the driveway to Bobby Byrne’s Pub facing south towards Route 6A. Head south along Merchants Road and turn right on to 6A to Tupper Road. Turn right on Tupper Road and follow back past the Stop & Shop plaza to a left turn on Freezer Road. Watch your step as you cross the railroad tracks and then turn right on to Ed Moffitt Drive. Follow Ed Moffitt Drive around the boat basin and the Coast Guard Station and bear right on to Coast Guard Road. Turn right on Town Neck Road, mind your footing over the railroad tracks one last time and turn right back on to Tupper Road. Take Tupper Road back to Merchants Road and finish at the second driveway.
Course 2 (2006) - Start on Merchants Road at the driveway to CVS facing north towards Tupper Road. Head north along Merchants Road and turn right on to Tupper Road. Turn right into the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank parking lot and follow the road to Route 6A. Turn right on Route 6A and follow to Tupper Road. Turn right on Tupper Road, follow back to the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank. After navigating the parking lot a final time, turn right on Route 6A, turn right on Merchants Road and finish at the starting line. The wheel measured distance is 3 miles, 143 feet.
Course 3 (2007-2008 ) - Start on Route 130 facing north just before the intersection with Beale Avenue. Take a hard left at Town Hall on to Grove Street. Follow Grove Street to Heritage Plantation and at the top of the hill, turn right into the cemetery. Take your next left on the cemetery road and exit, turning right, on to Pine Street. At the end of Pine Street, turn right on to Route 130 and then bear left on to Main Street. Turn right on to Beale Avenue and finish in the Wing School parking lot.
Course 4 (2009- ) - Start on Route 130 facing north just before the intersection with Beale Avenue. Take a hard left at the second entrance to Grove Street past the Town Hall. Follow Grove Street to Heritage Plantation and at the top of the hill, turn right into the cemetery. Take your next left on the cemetery road and exit, turning right, on to Pine Street. At the end of Pine Street, turn right on to Route 130 and bear left on to Tupper Road. Take your first right on to River Street and then turn left back on to Main Street. Turn right on to Beale Avenue and finish in the Wing School parking lot.
Getting There
Take Route 6 to exit 2 and head north on Route 130. The Wing School is on the right side of the road after about a mile. Parking is available in all school lots and along Main Street in Sandwich.
To get to the old courses, continue on Route 130 bearing left at the intersection with Main Street. Just after the town hall intersection, bear right on to Tupper Road. Continue across Route 6A at the stop light. The Stop & Shop parking lot will be on your left.
Maps
Course 1 - Source: Geof Newton
Course 2 - Source: Geof Newton
Course 3 - Source: Geof Newton
Course 4 - Source: Geof Newton
Course 4 Elevation - Source: Geof Newton
