Changes are coming to the Bridges of Flowers Classic in Shelburne Falls for its 40th running on Aug. 11.
The annual road race, which has always followed a 10 kilometer route, will be switching to eight kilometers this year due to an adjustment to the track.
In previous years, runners would take a left at the end of Crittenden Hill Road onto Rand Road, followed by a right onto Route 112 that took them past Mohawk Trail Regional High School. That portion of the race had always been the only one that was not closed off to traffic. This year’s field will instead head right on Rand, avoiding 112 for all but a small portion where it connects with North Street.
All other aspects of the race, including its signature climb up Crittenden Hill, will remain the same, starting and ending on the Iron Bridge in the heart of the village.
“The principle reason that grabbed me (to support the change) was the safety question,” race director Michael McCusker said.
McCusker, who described himself at a strict traditionalist, initially had opposed the measure.
“I thought it was nuts,” he said.
After weeks and weeks of pondering as he listened to the reasoning and discussions, and based on things he has witnessed himself over the years, he began to come around to the new format, especially after the planners polled last year’s runners.
McCusker initially expected about 70 to 80 percent of past runners to say they were against the change, but to his surprise, the idea received rather favorable reviews.
“There wasn’t a big, huge majority that were against it,” he added.
For many runners, organizers found, safety concerns along the Route 112 portion were important.
“I’ve seen weird, unsafe things happening at the race, and I’ve always seen that on Route 112,” McCusker said.
In recent years, McCusker noticed that drivers often came down nearby Woodward Road extension fast, at an area where runners are forced to take a sharp right turn into the coned-off breakdown lanes. He said he had seen some close calls, including runners who have gone out into the street to get around it.
“We can’t be having that,” McCusker said.
After the change was made official, McCusker informed the USA Track and Field’s New England branch to inform them the format had switched from a 10K to an 8K/five mile, a decision McCusker said he was told was “right on.”
“(The 10K distance) is a tough distance and this is hard for people who run one or two races a year,” McCusker said, pointing out that while the race once consisted of more serious runners, it is now more of an even mix between serious and more causal competitors.
The main challenge of the race is the uphill portion of Crittenden Hill, which, according to McCusker, is often most runners’ favorite and most dreaded part of the course.
Switching to a new format, McCusker suggested the race could feature more in the annual New England Grand Prix, which consists of six runs of varying distances across New England each summer. The Bridges of Flowers Classic was last featured as the 10K race for the 2010 Grand Prix.
However, as an 8K, the race could potentially be in the running for the five mile category, a prospect which excited McCusker.
“We are looking at being the toughest 8K/five mile (race) in New England,” he said.
Registration for the race is underway, and according to McCusker, they’re slated to have a crowded field come Aug. 11.
“We’ve only had registration opened 10 days and already we have vastly more people at this point than we did last year,” McCusker said.
Registration for the 8K is now open, and is $20 for adults 20-69 until May 31. Prices rise $5 a month each month after, and day-of registration is $45.
Runners 19 and younger only have to pay their age and those over 70 run for free.
The annual Steve Lewis Subaru 3K Walk/Run will take place at 8:15 a.m. on Aug. 11 at the same location. The changes to the main race do not affect the 3K, and registration for adults between 20-69 is $20 until May 31.
The same price rules apply for those under 19 and older than 70.