Harry's 5 Mile Road Race
 Harry's | |
| Vital Statistics | |
|---|---|
| When | 1st or 2nd Sunday in December |
| Town | Hyannis |
| Where | Harry's Blues Bar and Cajun Restaurant |
| Distance | 5 miles |
| Status | Active |
| First Running | 1990 |
| Current Certification | No |
| Sanctioned | None |
| Typical Field | 100 |
| Contact Information | |
| Contact | Cape Cod Athletic Club |
| Website | http://www.capecodathleticclub.org/ |
Special Notes
The traditional starting race of the Cape Cod Athletic Club Winter Grand Prix, Harry's 5 Mile Road Race has a long and storied history for Cape Cod runners. For many years, the race served as the unofficial 5 mile club championship race between the Falmouth Track Club and the CCAC, the winner taking home the Joe Barr trophy - a gold shoe on top of a trophy cup. As a club race, records have been scarce over the years but believe that some fast times have been logged on this challenging course. With several miles along the waterfront, the biggest competition in this race is the weather. Conditions ranging from bright and clear and moderate temperatures to several inches of slush and snow have greeted runners. The course is overly scenic as it passes by Hyannis Harbor, the John F. Kennedy Memorial, and winds through Hyannisport past the Kennedy Compound. But pay attention to the roads too - the course is not closed to traffic and there is minimal traffic control in this club 'pickup' race. Harry's Blues Bar has remained a stalwart supporter of the event, first under the watch of Ed Gill and now under the care of his successors as a memorial to Ed and his contributions to Cape Cod running. In 2007, the race was moved from the 1st Sunday to the 2nd Sunday of December in order to avoid a clash with the Hyannis [Jolly Jaunt] which shares much of the same course.
Course Records
The Course
Start facing south on Potter Avenue (across Main Street from Harry's) at the telephone pole nearest the building on your right. Turn left on Maple Avenue and then turn right on Sea Street, staying alert for cars along this heavily traveled road. Turn left on Gosnold Street and then bear left on Old Colony Road towards Hyannis Harbor. Turn right on Nantucket Street and then take your next right on Ocean Street. As you reach Veterans Memorial Park and the JFK Memorial, turn right on to Gosnold Street and follow Gosnold straight back to Sea Street. Turn left on Sea Street which becomes Ocean Avenue and follow it around Stewarts Creek to Hyannis Avenue. Turn left on Hyannis Avenue and follow it in to Hyannisport. Wind through Hyannisport by turning left on Iyanough Avenue, right on Wachusett Avenue and right on Scudder Avenue. After cresting the hill on Scudder Avenue, the hard work is done. Follow Scudder Avenue through the 4-way stop, past the Hyannis Resort and Conference Center (aka The Sheraton/Tara/Four Points), to the west end rotary. The finish is at the sidewalk in front of the bank. While the course is uncertified, it has been wheel-measured multiple times by many club runners over the years and is club certified end-to-end as an honest and moderately challenging 5 mile course.
Getting There
Take Route 6 to exit 7 and head south on Willow Street/Yarmouth Road. Continue across Route 28 on Yarmouth Road, bear right at the intersection and then turn right on to Main Street. Continue on Main Street through town. Harry's is on Stevens Street just before the rotary at the west end of Hyannis. Plenty of parking is available at Harry's and at local businesses in the west end.
Maps
Source: Geof Newton
Source: Geof Newton
Source: Geof Newton
