Fast Times at Hollis High
In their 1969 hit single “Spinning Wheels,” David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat and Tears claims, “What goes up must come down.” But I wonder, does the same hold true the other way around?

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By Kassie Rubico
Posted Wednesday, 8 April, 2009

Well, not according to George LeCours, Race Director of The Hollis Fast 5K. “It’s downhill the entire way,” admits LeCours. That’s right, 3.1 miles; 5,456 yards; 16,368 feet, any way you slice it, this piece of cake keeps going down. If your goal is to finish your first 5K or to run your fastest, Hollis High School is the place to be on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

The newly USATF certified course keeps pace with quintessential feel of rustic New England. It begins on Main Street and passes through the Town Common on Depot Road, running along apple orchids, open pastures and picturesque farm houses. The finish line is at Morin’s Landscaping, at the junction of Depot Road and Rte. 111, just a short walk from Alpine Grove Function Hall, where registration and the post race party will take place. Runners are encouraged to park at Alpine Grove and jog to the starting line, or hop on a shuttle bus, and it will take you there.

Last year was a record breaking time, with the top four finishers, led by Benjamin Ndaya of Lowell, all finishing under fifteen minutes. Local running star, Kara Hass, cut 18 seconds off her personal best, clocking in at an impressive 16:33. The Gate City Striders were the big winners in the team division, running away with the first place trophy in both the men and women’s open category. And speaking of awards, this race offers almost as much hardware as Home Depot. The award categories start with under 10 divisions, and then continue with two year age groups until 19. For age 20 and up, the categories are in five year increments, awarding the top three places for both genders. Of the 600 finishers last year, 100 were under the age of 18.

Once again, the race will be timed by Yankee Timing using D-tag technology, so you can bet on fast accurate results in plenty of time to enjoy the after race festivities. Beat the NH Residents 5K age group record and next year you run for free. Six runners will have a special waived entry this year for last year’s impressive performance. Although these records do not count in the “official record keeping book” because of the course net elevation loss, I don’t think any of these runners were disappointed. Let’s face it a personal best is exactly that, no matter what the grade or where it’s recorded. Check out the NH records at www.nhrunning.com and go for it!

The Hollis Brookline Rotary Club is the race sponsor, with all proceeds will going to Rotary charitable causes. The club provides scholarships for kids and is dedicated to helping those in need, both locally and around the world. Help make a difference this year by spinning your wheels at The Hollis Fast 5K – a race that drops 224 feet in elevation and gives out almost as many awards.

Related info:
Event Website

Event Registration

Active Running

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