The countdown is on until the 40th running of the Bridge of Flowers Classic in Shelburne Falls.
In 17 days, the largest race in Franklin County will celebrate its 40th birthday and registration is ongoing for the event. Despite the race being around for as long as it has, there are plenty of changes to the event this season.
The most notable change is that the race has gone from a 10K down to an 8K (or 5-miler). The course has been altered so that runners can avoid running along Route 112 past Mohawk, and will instead descend Crittenden Hill and turn right onto Rand Road, which cut two kilometers off the course. While some traditionalists have expressed concern over the change in course length, first-year race director Sue Monahan said most people have been accepting of the change.
Monahan knows a thing or two about directing races as she created and directs the Western Mass. Mother’s Day Half Marathon in Whately. Monahan has raced in the Bridge of Flowers Classic twice and said she loves the atmosphere that goes along with the event.
“It’s a really fun race and it’s really got a great community vibe as well,” she said. “The hill is challenging, but the race is fun. And the support it has from the local businesses is great. Everyone looks forward to it.”
The change in distance has not hurt registrations, as the race is on or ahead of schedule from a year ago. The 8K currently has 437 entrants, while the 3K has 124.
Another change this season is that the registration has dropped. Cost is currently $40 for anyone registering up until Aug. 8 (and $30 for the 3k Charity race) and new this year, every runner will receive a medal upon completing the race. T-shirts are no longer included in registration, but can be purchased for an additional $15.
As has been the case, the race is also partnered with five charities and runners can pick one or up to five charities to have a portion of their registration go towards. The charities involved are Dial Self, Cancer Connection, the Art Garden, Friends of Children and new this year hte Northwest Massachusetts Incident Management Team. For more information on each of the charities or to register go to shelburnefalls.com.
Online registration takes place until Aug. 8 but can also be done at the free spaghetti supper on the night before the race at the Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School at 5:30, as well as on race morning. Registration cost increases by $5 for each race if done after Aug. 8. The race is also looking for volunteers and each volunteer will receive a free T-shirt. Anyone interested can also register on the race website.
Also new this season is the addition of beer donated by Flood Water Brewery, a new local brewery that will celebrate its grand opening on the day of the race by providing beer at the Blue Rock Cafe, where the post-race, post-ceremony party will take place. Mo’s Fudge Factory is also donating coupons for free ice cream for any runners 20 and under who complete the race.
In addition, the Bridge of Flowers is also taking part in the all-new Community of Running Experiences (CORE) Series, which consists of five local races. The races invovled are the Bridge of Flowers, the Happy Valley Half Marathon (Oct. 21 in Northampton), the Fort Hill Brewery Half Marathon and 5K (April 14 in Easthampton), the Mother’s Day Half Marathon (Mother’s Day in Whately) and the Daffodil Run 10K and 5K (last Sunday in April in Amherst). Anyone completing all five races will receive a commemorative gift to signify completion, and anyone doing all five saves on registration. For more information on the CORE Series, contact Monahan at racedirector@shelburnefalls.com. People can also go to the Facebook page of each event.