Gray Matter Marketing announced today via a press release that the popular Aquidneck 10K road race will return on March 22nd, 2020.
The 6.2-mile course will start and finish at Sachuest Beach. Participants will run or walk alongside beach grass and sand dunes, down Sachuest Point, pass the Norman Bird Sanctuary on Hanging Rock Road, as well as stunning homes and historic churches, showcasing the beauty of Aquidneck Island. A portion of each registration fee for this event will be donated to the Norman Bird Sanctuary in support of their conservational and environmental efforts.
The event is produced by Gray Matter Marketing, which produces other local award-winning events including the Ocean Road 10K, Amica Newport Marathon and the Craft Brew Races 5K.
The 2019 event did sell out, and while registration numbers have been expanded, the event is expected to reach capacity again in 2020. Last year, the event directly donated more than $2,000 to the Norman Bird Sanctuary, in addition to fundraising efforts by runners and presenting sponsors Fitzpatrick Team of Remax Newport and Newport Healthworks.
In 2019, Ross MacAndrew, from East Greenwich, Rhode Island won the race, finishing the 6.2 miles in a blistering 32 minutes and 16 seconds (roughly 5:11/mile). MacAndrew is a leader in the local racing scene, having won a number of local races including the 2018 Amica Newport Half Marathon. “It’s a good course… you really get to fly at some parts,” said MacAndrew after the race last year. “You get a little bit of everything….it really is beautiful.”
Adrian Massie from Newport, Rhode Island finished second behind MacAndrew at 37:04, followed by Robert Corsi, from Warwick, Rhode Island in 40:02.
Diane Senecal, from Narragansett, Rhode Island took first place for the women, charging across the line in 42:44. Jaqueline Shakar, from Sutton Massachusetts, came across the finish line in 44:08 and Joy Connell, from Middletown, Rhode Island, rounded out the top three women with a time of 44:29.
Registration, as well as additional information about the event, can be found at www.aquidneck10K.com. Early Bird registration savings are available!