Free Training Available For Andover's Largest Road Race

Information via Feaster Five Road Race

ANDOVER, MA – The arrival of fall means it’s time to get ready for the largest road race in Andover – the Feaster Five Road Race, a Thanksgiving Day tradition featuring family, fun, fitness and apple pie.

A free 8-week training program kicks off October 6 at the race start area in Shawsheen Square, Andover. The free training is open to all levels from walkers and new runners to experienced racers.

“The Feaster Five is a family friendly event and welcomes not only seasoned runners, but anyone looking to complete their first 5K road race,” said Robin Condon, president of the Merrimack Valley Striders running club, which hosts the Feaster Five. “Our free Couch to 5K training program is the perfect way to prep for your first 5K or even your 100th. Our coaches and volunteers are excited and supportive as we encourage running at all levels.”

The 37th Annual Feaster Five Road Race is presented by Schneider Electric. A signature of the Feaster Five are the Table Talk Apple Pies handed out at the end of the race.

The event includes a 5K and 5 mile course option as well as a kids race, which has been renamed Sidney’s Rainbow Run at the Feaster Five. For the second year, the kids’ race will honor the memory of Sidney Olson, 5, who was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing the street in Elm Square, Andover.

The Couch to 5K program starts at 8 am on Sunday, October 6 and continues every Sunday morning until race week. Free registration is available through www.feasterfive.com.

At each session, MVS coaches provide a warm up, stretches, and participants will be placed in groups to run based on their fitness level. The coaches will also provide workouts for participants to complete on their own during the week.

In addition to the open training on Sundays in Andover, MVS is also providing free training to employees at Schneider Electric in its Andover and Boston offices.

“The Couch to 5K program is about consistency and preparation,” said Maura Szendey of Andover who is a volunteer coach of the program and part of the Merrimack Valley Striders. “We make it really easy and comfortable for anyone to try out this race course to feel confident and strong to do the Feaster Five Road Race.”

Registration for the Feaster Five is now open. The first 5,000 registrants are guaranteed to receive the high quality, long-sleeved race t-shirt.

Proceeds from the Feaster Five will support the Merrimack Valley Striders’ High School Scholarship fund, the Merrimack Valley YMCA, the Sidney Mae Olson Rainbow Fund, 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.

Race day is November 28, 2024 in downtown Andover, with a three-day race expo beginning November 25 at the Merrimack Valley YMCA, Andover Branch. The volunteer-run three-day race expo includes shopping, sponsor booths, VIP book signings and more.

Over the last 30 years, thousands of people have gathered their families together to run or walk the 5K or 5-mile route that weaves through downtown Andover, finishing at Andover Landing at Brickstone Square.

The Feaster Five is managed by DMSE Sports, led by race director Dave McGillivray, running legend who has directed or consulted on more than 1,400 events throughout the world including the Boston Marathon, the Olympic Marathon trials, and the Olympic Games.

In addition to presenting sponsor Schneider Electric, the volunteer-led Feaster Five is supported by Whirlaway Sports; Run Keeper; St. John’s Prep, Hastings, Jamieson & Lipschutz Family Law Group; M&T Bank; Cedar’s Foods; Bill Deluca Chevrolet; Off Season Sports; Costa Fruit and Produce; Andover Landing; Burton’s Grill; Table Talk; Coca Cola Beverages Northeast; Robert Lussier Photography; Borrero Photography; Eastern Bank, Salem Five, Pentucket Bank, USA Ninja Challenge North Andover, and R.C. Lafond Insurance Agency.

Visit www.feasterfive.com for registration information and more details.

About the Feaster Five Road Race

The Feaster Five Road Race is the largest Thanksgiving Day road race in Massachusetts. Since 1988, the Feaster Five has drawn tens of thousands of participants annually who take part in the 5k or 5 miler walk/run. This race brings together the community and beyond for a fun filled morning of running miles and consuming plenty of pie. It is a longstanding tradition of many families to participate in the race each year. The Feaster Five Road Race is hosted by the Merrimack Valley Striders, a 400+ member running organization founded in 1979. Proceeds from the race benefit the Striders’ high school scholarship fund, local charities, and initiatives in the surrounding communities.