One of prettiest races in America will return to the East End this week when the Shelter Island 10K and 5K race/fun run kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20.
Registration for the 5K is $30 and entry to the 10K is $40. Tickets can be purchased here.
Running the race once again will be 2014 Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi. Keflezihi ran the 2014 race — his first after winning the Boston Marathon, an emotional moment for the city as it recovered from the terrorist attack one year earlier.
Keflezighi, who finished fourth in last year’s 10K, was a hit around town. He signed autographs and, before the race, took to the microphone to offer some words of encouragement to runners as they readied for the start.
We met him last year and he was super gracious!
From bag check to the post-race party, here’s the scoop on what to do before the starting gun sounds for the race.
Check in
Runners should arrive on Shelter Island by 3 p.m. Saturday, June 20, for packet pick-up and check-in at the Shelter Island School gymnasium. Packets are available starting Friday, June 19, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Your “champion chip” GPS tracking device will be included with your packet. Please note that strollers or baby joggers are not permitted on the course. No backpacks will be allowed. Runners will receive transparent plastic bags to store their belongings.
STARTING INSTRUCTIONS
The 10K race starts promptly at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, June 20, rain or shine, on Route 114 near the traffic circle in front of the Shelter Island School. The staging area is on the school grounds. School Street is a detour for through traffic — please cross with caution and do not delay traffic. Do not gather on Route 114 near the starting area until called by the official starter, Ken Auyer of Auyer Timing (auyertiming.com). When called, enter the section that indicates your anticipated average pace per mile.
SPLITS
Splits are measured at each mile mark. A digital clock will be on display on the right side of the road at the 5K mark.
WATER
HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE! Water will be available outside the school from 2 until 5 p.m. Runners are strongly urged to take fluids within one hour of the start of the race. Water will also be available at 2, 4 and 5 miles and at 1.5 miles for 5K walkers.
Signs will alert runners to official water stations. DO NOT ACCEPT FLUIDS from unofficial sources along the course.
FIRST AID
A professionally staffed medical tent will be open on the finish field from noon until after the race.
5K WALK
The 5-kilometer community run/walk begins at 5:45 p.m., 15 minutes after the 10K. For the first time, the top male and female finishers in the 5K will receive medals, but the 5K walk remains open to those who aren’t competing for time.
All entrants will receive a runner’s packet and T-shirt.
THE ROUTES
Both the 10K Run and the 5K Walk begin on Route 114 at the Center roundabout and head southward. Turn left on St. Mary’s Road and continue to the next roundabout.
•The 5K Walk goes left at the roundabout onto Manwaring Road to Route 114, then north to West Neck Road, where the 5K merges with the 10K course to the finish field behind the American Legion Hall.
• The 10K Run goes right at St. Mary’s roundabout onto Ram Island Road, left up Cobbetts Lane, then right on Manhanset Road until Manhanset becomes Shore Road. Keep right of the Dering Harbor Village Hall on Shore Road until Shore becomes Winthrop Road.
• Follow Winthrop across the bridge to Route 114. Go left on 114 to West Neck Road.
• Make a right onto West Neck and a quick left onto Midway Road. Follow Midway to Bateman Road, go left on Bateman for 200 meters and exit right onto the school athletic field and around to the finish line.
See page for a map of the course.
FINISH AREA
Racers cross the finish line at the school’s playing field, Fiske Field, behind the American Legion Hall.
More stuff to know:
SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE
Starting at 1 p.m. on race day, there will be free bus service from North Ferry and South Ferry to the school and back. The service, compliments of Sunrise Coach Lines and Hampton Jitney, concludes at the end of the post-race party (11 p.m.).
PARKING
Signs will direct drivers from each ferry to a parking area behind the school. PLEASE DO NOT PARK ANYWHERE ON ROUTE 114! It’s part of the race course. Park on side streets and keep all driveways clear.
RESTROOMS
Portable toilets will be located outside the American Legion Hall and near the finish line.
DRESSING/SHOWERS & BAG CHECK
Free showers and a bag check for race participants will be available at the Shelter Island High School gym, hosted by the Class of 2017. Tips are appreciated.
KIDS FUN RUN
Free 200-meter run through the official Shelter Island Run finish line for children 4 to 10 years old. Free souvenir T-shirt and medal for all participants. Bring the kids to Fiske Field at about 3:45 p.m. for the run, which begins at 4 p.m.
FREE STRETCHING CLINIC
A stretching and warm-up clinic provided by Suzette Smith of Shelter Island Pilates will be held from 4:30 to 5 p.m. on the front lawn of the school, near the starting line.
POST-RACE PARTY
Let the fun continue after the race by heading to the Island Boatyard/SALT restaurant near the end of Menantic Road. 7 to 11 p.m. Cash bar. Free BBQ for all registered runners — bring your race #. For non-runners, $20 fee for BBQ. Live music and dancing.
Race Results
Times will be posted at www.auyertiming.com
PRIZES
Prize money is raised through corporate and private donations.
OPEN DIVISION
First-place male and female finishers will receive two roundtrip travel certificates from Jet Blue Airways along with $1,000 each. Second- through fifth-place winners will receive $500, $300, $200 and $150 respectively.
Sixth- through 10th-place finishers will receive merchandise awards sponsored by Gubbins Running Ahead.
MASTERS RUNNERS
40-plus-years-old
First-place masters male and female runners will receive free roundtrip tickets for two on Jet Blue Airways and $300 each. The second-place male and female winners will each receive $200, and the third-place male and female runners will receive $100 each.
Masters runners are eligible for both overall prize money awards and masters division prize money awards.
OTHER AWARDS
There’s a $1,500 bonus in the Open Men’s and Women’s divisions for posting a new course record.
There’s a $300 bonus for breaking a course record in the Master’s division.
The top men’s and women’s U.S. citizen finishers will receive $250 each, and the top wheelchair men’s and women’s winners will each receive $100. The top three male and female wheelchair athletes will receive medals.
There’s also a $50 bonus for the top male and female lead runners at miles 2 through 6.
Age group winners will receive a complimentary entry to the 2016 race.
The first male and female residents to cross the finish line will each receive a complimentary entry to the 2016 race.
The top male and female 5K winner will receive medals.
RANDOM DRAWINGS
Jet Blue Airways and Apple Honda will offer random drawings at the awards ceremony.
• Jet Blue will sponsor two round trips on any Jet Blue non-stop flight destination from New York.
• Apple Honda of Riverhead will award $250 to sponsor a registered runner and $250 for a registered walker.
You must be a registered runner or walker and be present at the awards ceremony to be eligible.
RADIO
The official Shelter Island Run radio station is WLNG 92.1 FM. The race will be broadcast live with pre-race coverage all afternoon.