Runners Ready To Take On Feaster Five

The Merrimack Valley YMCA is excited to be a part of the annual Feaster Five Thanksgiving Road Race. For the past 24 years, thousands of community members have come together for fitness and a good cause—all proceeds benefit the YMCA , Ironstone Farm, and the Merrimack Valley Striders.

Colleen Mongell, Andover/North Andover YMCA Wellness Center Instructor and former membership director, is running her fifth Feaster Five Race. This year is particularly special because the race falls on her husband’s 50^th birthday. To celebrate this occasion, Colleen and her three children are personalizing their running bibs with the message, “Happy B-Day Dad.”

“I usually just run the race with the kids, but this year is the perfect way to kick off John’s fitness journey for his 50^th birthday,” Colleen says, hoping that that the race will encourage her husband to make healthy resolutions.

 While a Thanksgiving race is common in many towns, the Feaster Five garners an impressively large number of runners, including celebrities such as actor Matt Damon and Olympian Joan Benoit Samuelson, and has a community atmosphere that differentiates it from other races.

Get Ready To Run

What: Feaster Five Thanksgiving Road Race

When: Thursday, Nov. 24. Kids fun run at 7:45 a.m., 5mile/5K at 8:30a.m.

Where: Main street at the corner of Rout 133 and Route 28 in Andover

Fees: Kid's Fun Run $5.00, 5 Mile/5K $30 (age 12/under $15 pre, $20 post)

Expo at the Andover/North Andover YMCA, 165 Haverhill St, Andover MA on Nov. 23^rd 3-5PM: Meet and greet running icons Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and Dick and Judy Hoyt