Registration is open for the Feaster Five Road Race, a Thanksgiving Day tradition featuring family, fun, fitness and apple pie.
The event includes 5K and five-mile course options as well as a kids race, renamed Sidney’s Rainbow Run at the Feaster Five. For the second year, the kids’ race honors the memory of five-year-old Sidney Olson who was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing the street in Andover.
“The Feaster Five is the signature event for the Striders’ and has become a tradition for so many families in our community,” said Robin Condon, president of the Merrimack Valley Striders, which presents the Feaster Five. “We are so excited to launch the 2024 event along with the support of the Sidney Mae Olson Rainbow Fund and our other beneficiaries to create an event for families to come together, have a meaningful experience and support organizations that are vital to our communities.”
The kids race, held at the Balmoral Street track, will feature rainbow balloons and other elements to celebrate Sidney. Participants will receive a Sidney’s Rainbow Run Feaster Five t-shirt.
The 37th Annual Feaster Five Road Race takes place Thursday, Nov. 28, in downtown Andover. It is presented by Schneider Electric and hosted by the Merrimack Valley Striders running club. It concludes with the race’s signature Table Talk Apple Pies handed at the end of the race.
Along with Sidney’s Rainbow Fund, proceeds from the Feaster Five will support the Merrimack Valley Striders’ High School Scholarship fund, the Merrimack Valley YMCA and Bellesini Academy of Lawrence. Thanks to proceeds from the 2023 event, the Striders awarded $22,000 in scholarships to high school seniors and nearly $50,000 to community organizations.
A three-day race expo begins Nov. 25 at the Merrimack Valley YMCA and includes shopping, sponsor booths, VIP book signings and more.
Registration is $40 per person and takes place at feasterfive.com. The first 5,000 registrants will receive a high quality, long-sleeved race t-shirt.