26th Annual
RUN TO THE BEACH 30K
March 15, 2009 - 10:00 AM
North Andover, MA
to Salisbury, MA

In the Beginning. . . .

The following excerpt is from the book Young at Heart (The Story of Johnny Kelley - Boston Marathon Man). The race mentioned took place May 30, 1949 after the Yonkers Marathon.

"Just fifteen days later, Johnny, Louis White and a few others ran their third marathon in sixteen days! The Lawrence to the Sea marathon was second only to Yonkers in degree of difficulty. Starting at the common in the mill town of Lawrence, the arduous course traced through the Merrimack Valley to the beach in Salisbury. Hills abounded throughout. The longest, in Haverhill, near the New Hampshire border, was over a mile long."

Right Here, Right Now, Just for You . . .

This March you can run 18.6 miles of the route that Johnny Kelley and Louis White made famous with their dueled on a warm May day in 1949. You will be challenged by the mile long hill in downtown Haverhill and the strenuous hills of North Andover, Haverhill, Merrimac, and Amesbury. There is some leniency in the course as it flattens out in Salisbury before finishing at the oasis known as the Winners' Circle Sports Bar.

The fun loving yet somewhat eccentric Andover Striders along with the Winner's Circle Running Club are the hosts for this annual jaunt through the Merrimack Valley. Each mile is clearly marked and there are several well-stocked water stops each blaring tunes from the Grateful Dead. Best of all there is no entry-fee -- it's FREE -- just like races were in the day of the famous Lawrence to the Sea Marathon.

This point-to-point course traces "the road to the Beach" as it is still described by those who pre date Route 495. On that fateful day in May of 1949 over 100,000 spectators lined the road to cheer on the 74 competitors. This March don't expect many spectators, but there will be more than 74 runners toeing the line for this updated version of the run to the sea.

The Details. . .

Where
Start: North Andover VFW
CLICK FOR A MAP to the start
33 Park Street (just off Rt. 125)
North Andover, MA United States 01845

Finish: Winners' Circle Sports Bar, Salisbury, MA
CLICK FOR A MAP to the finish
Winners Circle Sports Bar
Rt 110 (371 Elm St),
Salisbury, MA

The Best Running Sports Bar in America

 

The 25th Anniversary Edition
The weather forecast called for downpours for most of the day, however Mother Nature was kind and it turned out to be a dry but somewhat cool day for a run. In New England we call this "great running weather." Check out our video of 2008 run.

 

COURSE AND ELEVATION MAP

When
Date: Sunday, March 15th
Time: 10:00AM

Length
Main Event: 30-Kilometers (18.6 miles)

Contact
David P. LaBrode, 45 Highland Avenue Unit B, Haverhill, MA, USA, 01830
Phone #: 978-373-3408
E-Mail: ickylabrode@verizon.net

Additional Info
Organized training run
No Entry-fee (FREE)
Accurately measured, each mile marked
Provide your own transportation