Andrea Holden Thanksgiving Race

Andrea Holden Thanksgiving Race

Andrea Holden Road Race
Vital Statistics
When	Saturday after Thanksgiving, 10:00 AM
Town	Dennis
Where	Dennis Inn
Distance	5K
Status	Active
First Running	2001
Current Certification	No
Sanctioned	None
Typical Field	500
Contact Information
Contact	Annie Gibbons, (508) 385-7849
Website	http://www.andreaholden.org/

Special Notes

Dedicated to the memory of Andrea Holden, a 1st-grade student who died suddenly in 1997, this popular Thanksgiving weekend race continues to grow in size and popularity. Proceeds are donated to local charities that assist children in need of medical or emergency services. Donations have included first responder training, D/Y High School scholarships, all-terrain wheelchairs, and support for programs like Dream Day On Cape Cod. Challenge Cups are awarded to local cross-country vs. alumni teams and to the winning fire or police department team. T-shirts, available at an additional cost, are designed by students of the Ezra Baker Elementary School in Dennis. In 2006, the course underwent minor alteration in order to avoid runner congestion at the corner of Whig Street and Pilgrim Road. In 2008, the start and finish area was moved to the Dennis Inn and the course was significantly altered in order to avoid the stiff winds and biting cold of Corporation Beach. This was viewed as a welcome change, especially by the volunteers, but the course modification included the addition of some significant hills into what had previously been a relatively flat course. The middle mile of the course is the most scenic as it runs along the edge of Pleasant Bay with fantastic views of the beaches through the summer houses. Other special accouterments include the lofting of a large US flag by the Dennis Fire Department, recognition of the winning T-shirt designer for the year's race, and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by a local singer before the starting gun. For the first several years, the post-race awards ceremony and food were provided at Oliver's on Route 6A in Yarmouth but an expanding race attendance and a desire for an "on-course" post-race party precipitated a move to the Dennis Inn. The 2008 race featured hot dogs, burgers, chili and beer along with a live band waiting at the end of the race. With the excesses of the past few days behind, this is a perfect opportunity to get rid of a few Thanksgiving pie calories.

Course Records

Course 1 - 2001-2005

Open Men - Joe Navas: 15:43 (2004)

Open Women - Emily Bryans: 17:17 (2001)

Course 2 - 2006-2007

Open Men - Joe Navas: 15:38 (2007)

Open Women - Melissa Sherman: 18:03 (2007)

Course 3 - 2008-

Open Men - Joe Navas: 16:04 (2009)

Open Women - Laura Walters: 20:05 (2008)

The Course

Course 1 (2001-2005) - Begin facing southwest on Corporation Road about 50 yards south of the intersection with Seaside Avenue. Head south on Corporation Road and bear right on to Whig Street. At the four-way stop, turn right on to Nobscusset Drive then bear left on to Shore Drive. At the end of Shore Drive, turn right on to Luscombe Lane, turn right on Luscombe Lane and then right again on Luscombe Lane until it rejoins Nobscusset Drive. Turn left on to Silverleaf Lane and then turn right on Pilgrim Road. Follow Pilgrim Road to Whig Street, turn left on Whig Street and retrace your steps back to Corporation Beach. The finish line is on Corporation Road about mid-way down the top parking lot.

Course 2 (2006-2007) - Follow course one on to Whig Street and then turn right on to Pilgrim Road. Turn left on Silverleaf Lane and then turn right on to Luscombe Lane. Follow Luscombe Lane out to Shore Drive and turn left on Shore Drive. Continue on Shore Drive and bear right on to Nobscusset Drive. Turn left at the four-way stop on to Whig Street and return to Corporation Beach.

Course 3 (2008- ) - Start facing west on Whig Street about 10 feet east of the intersection with Scarsdale Road. Follow Whig Street to the four-way stop and turn right on to Nobscusset Drive. Bear left on to Shore Drive and turn left on to Shore Drive at the intersection with Luscombe Lane. Turn left on Bay View Road and take your next left on to Horsefoot Path. Horsefoot Path turns into Beach Street. Continue down the hill on Beach Street and turn left on to Whig Street. Follow Whig Street to Scarsdale. The finish is on Scarsdale Road at the second entrance to the Dennis Inn.

Getting There

Take Route 6 to exit 9B and head north on Route 134. Turn left on Route 6A and go approximately a mile and a half to Elm Street. Head across Corporation Road to Whig Street and turn right on Scarsdale Road. There is parking for about 50 cars at the Dennis Inn (you'll be stuck until all runners and walkers are finished) and additional parking is provided at the Dennis Playhouse on Route 6A. A 1/4 mile path through the woods from the Playhouse will put you at the starting line for the race.

Maps

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  Course 1 - Source: Geof Newton
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  Course 2 - Source: Geof Newton
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  Course 3 - Source: Geof Newton
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  Course 3 - Source: Andrea Holden Road Race