Two runners on their way to the Cape Cod Marathon
On Saturday October 26, 2013 Falmouth hosted the third Nova Nordisk Cape Cod Marathon Half. On Sunday October 27, 2013 we hosted the 36th. Cape Cod Marathon and the 21st. Cape Cod Marathon Relay. In other words Falmouth is a runners kind of town. If you like to run and like being with other enthusiastic runners, this is the place to be.
Finish line
Bill and I bought the Palmer house Inn nine years ago. At that time we had no idea that this community had such a love of running. The first few years we hosted a few very dedicated marathoners and a few relay teams. Then in 20o9 the half marathon was introduced. This year the inn was full for three days. It was great!
It was a wonderful weekend with lots of energetic folks enjoying our very special town. If you are a runner or a friend of a runner, and want to join us next year, it might be helpful to know that the staff at the Palmer House Inn will be up early to provide a pre-race breakfast to all of our guests. The dining room opens at 7:00 am, on race days and we serve buffet style. The offerings include: an assortment of juices and fruits (yes bananas too), scrambled eggs. corn pudding, bacon, assorted breads, bagels & cream cheese, cereals and piping hot muffins.
The Falmouth track club runs the events. There are hundreds of volunteers who are up and out in the wee hours of the mornings, setting up street barricades, signs, comfort stations to name just a few of the tasks that they accomplish. They are also working long past the end of the races dismantling and cleaning. The day after the races one would never know that there had been thousands of people attending a major event in this charming town.
Some Race Related Activities
The weekend begins with “The Coffee-O Friday Night Five”. It is a five-mile race for runners and their friends and family. Participants can tune-up with the locals at this weekly Falmouth event. The race begins at 5:30 pm in Town Hall Square off Main Street. It is located just across the street from the Quarterdeck Restaurant. The course is an accurate five miles and all turns and miles are marked on the road. There is no fee and you time yourself. In addition to the run, there is a 2.5 mile walk held simultaneously.
Behind the finish line
On Saturday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm the Falmouth Track Club sold a variety of marathon related items, including t-shirts and sweatshirts. The National Running Center also had a large selection of running gear for sale. In addition, many other exhibitors were present.
If the runners were interested in “carbo loading” on Friday and Saturday evenings, they could do just that at a variety of restaurants on Main Street in Falmouth Village and in Woods Hole. The restaurants served up the runner’s favorite pasta dishes.
Teammates cross the finish line.
There are race lunches after each race. The post-race lunches were sponsored by Sabatino Scafuto a Mashpee restaurant, that is a member of the Mashpee Booster Club. The meals were served on the lower level of the Lawrence School in the cafeteria.The cafeteria is where runners picked up their Race Packets earlier in the day. The lunch for the half marathoners consisted of a bowel of clam chowder or minestrone soup, French bread, salad and fruit. The full marathon runners had the traditional post-race meal of clam chowder, pasta with tomato sauce, salad, French bread and fruit. The meals for the runners were complimentary. Family and friends were asked to contribute $5.00.
There was also a post race party for the runners at the Falmouth Inn where live music was provided by the BaHa Brothers. A good time was had by all.
Other Links
Cape Cod’s Emily Dickinson Room Five
The Palmer House Inn is located just a few yards from the finish line. While all of our rooms have their own individual charm suitable for relaxation after the most wonderful day of adventures, we recommend the Harriet Beecher Stowe room or the Emily Dickinson room. Both rooms feature comfortable king beds, fireplaces, jetted tubs and a relaxing stay before and after your day.