The 24th Annual Sheraton Hyannis Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and Marathon Team Relay--Weekend Getaway With Class
Folks come from all over the world just to see and experience Old Cape Cod. Race Weekend in Hyannis provides the opportunity—and so much more.

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By Skip Cleaver
Posted Thursday, 11 December, 2003

The Hyannis Marathon is the first of the New England marathons. The course is picturesque, and the post-card views are only part of the draw for runners of all abilities. With four events in one, Hyannis is your opportunity for an enjoyable weekend at one of the Northeast's most beautiful locations.

The Twenty-fourth Annual Sheraton Hyannis Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and Marathon Relay will blast off together on that rare date, Sunday, February 29, 2004. This may be your only opportunity to run a marathon on February 29—they don't happen often. You can leap into spring with a terrific long run in preparation for Boston, or put it on the line here for a PR performance on a flat, fast course. It certainly will be an ideal chance to enjoy a weekend or a mini vacation on Cape Cod, no matter which of the four race options you choose.

The four different events associated with Marathon Day provide a distance and a challenge for everyone. And the location and scenery guarantee enjoyment. All four events begin at the same time, and end at the same finish line. The marathon and Marathon Relay surge through a double loop, the half marathon runs one loop; the 10K splits off for a shorter "inside" loop. All three are exceptionally scenic.

Four people can enjoy a weekend away together by running the Marathon Relay. It has four legs--two are 7.3 miles in length, and two of 5.8 miles. However, if you want to get a ticket for the relay you must act fast, because there will be a cutoff at only 50 teams. The other events will also have caps, and the reason is the need to deliver friendly, personalized service to all, whether elite, average, or back-of-the-pack participants.

TRADITION AND INNOVATION
There are 24 years of tradition here, and it just feels right when you walk into the Sheraton Resort Hotel. The marathon began in 1978, and the half marathon was added in 1985. The marathon is a qualifier for Boston, as well as for the Olympic Trials Marathon. Beyond the tradition, however, there are some unique aspects that help to make this event very special. It is not only the last marathon before Boston, but is also the first marathon in the region in the 2004 calendar year.

All three distances include more Clydesdale and Filly weight-division prizes than any other marathon, 10K, or half marathon, all going three deep. Clydesdale open and masters 190 to 210 pounds, Clydesdale open and masters 211 to 225 pounds, and open and masters 226 and above. Clydesdale seniors 190 lbs. and over are included in all three. Filly open and masters' prizes are also awarded in all three individual events. All events (with separate division prizes) are available to the visually impaired

The race administrators have formed an alliance with Team Diabetes and their marathon program. And a portion of the proceeds will go to the Cape Cod Boys and Girls Club, the Officer Michael Aselton Scholarship Fund, and the First Baptist Church of Hyannis Food Pantry, all of which actively volunteer for the events. The host club is the Cape Cod Athletic Club.

TEAMS
The top teams will also be rewarded (top three score) in the Sheraton Hyannis Half Marathon. They will include male and female open, masters, and seniors, as well as Clydesdale and Filly teams, so there are plenty of opportunities to bring home some hardware—overall, age, weight, visually impaired, and division winners. Championchip timing will be used in all races. In addition to the team awards in the half marathon, there will be awards for relay teams--female and male divisions of open, masters, and seniors, as well as Fillies, Clydesdales, and visually impaired runners.

AUTOGRAPHS AND INSPIRATION
Even before the main action begins there will be plenty of entertainment and inspiration with several elite athletes on hand. Bill Rodgers will speak at the Pasta dinner (6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday) and the Marathon Expo, and will sign autographs at the Race Expo on Saturday. The famous Team Hoyt, Dick Hoyt and his son Rick, will be on hand and will autograph copies of their new book, Its Only a Mountain. Tom Derderian will also be on hand to speak and sign copies of his extraordinary book on the Boston Marathon. And National Ultra 100K Champion Jim Garcia will also speak. Garcia was the overall Hyannis Marathon winner last year.

EVERYONE'S SPECIAL HERE—WHO'S WHO?
B. A. Event promotions, directors of these events, seem to have every detail covered. So participants can relax and enjoy their RACE weekend, and their weekend vacation. Consideration is given to all paces and abilities, all sizes and disabilities. For example, there is a marathon early start for slower runners, so the awards can run like clockwork—and they will.

Different color bib numbers will identify all runners by their race. Marathoners will wear blue, while marathon "early start" runners will wear red. Traditional white identifies half marathon runners and team relay runners, while the 10K runners will wear yellow. Both the marathon and half marathon are certified, and the 10K is very accurately measured.

SO MANY AWARDS
Attractive, colorful long-sleeve T-shirts are given to all who register before February 20th, and all participants receive medals commemorating their event. Additional top quality items-with attractive logos —are available for sale at the expo: Hooded pullovers, long-sleeve denim shirt, race T-shirt, multi-colored golf shirt, and coffee and beer mugs. The expo will be held in the Sheraton Hyannis Resort Hotel ballroom from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 28th, and from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on race day. Post registration is permitted. There is a $500 reward for a marathon course record.

THE WEATHER
The weather on Cape Cod is milder than the rest of New England. The Gulf Stream often brings moderate running and golfing weather while areas of Northern New England offer great skiing on the same day. Residents and visitors alike have played golf year round, and many runners can be seen on the myriad of trails along the Cape's shores in winter. Seafood dinners seem to taste better on Cape Cod too. A sampling is available at the post race ceremonies, with Blount Sea Foods providing their hot soup and chowder to runners. Several other vendors will make the post race meal a memorable experience.

THE COURSE
Once the horn sounds all four events will be touring scenic villages and beautiful beaches. "Hyannis looks like New England", said one vacationing distance runner. It has that quintessential look that epitomizes Cape Cod. Fishing villages, Craigville Beach, the John F. Kennedy Memorial, the Kennedy family compound, Officer Michael Aselton State Park, and the rolling Atlantic are only a few of the scenic vistas.

Championchip timing by Granite State Race Services offers immediate and accurate results. And a dedicated team of friendly volunteers promises to make your race and your weekend get-away a leap year experience to remember.

Related info:
> Official event website

> Register online

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