The Course                                    

Each Labor Day for the past twenty-four years Runners and Walkers  have come to Acushnet to run our open roads free of city traffic, engine fumes,  and multiple intersections.

The race starts with a small incline on Middle road between the Ford Middle School and the Acushnet Elementary School.  The course  proceeds north one mile until it turns right and to the east on to  Lake Street. 

A sharp down hill begins on Lake Street. The one mile mark is at the bottom of the hill just prior to the first of three lakes.  These lakes form the Acushnet River, which flows  into Buzzards Bay.  The course is flat for three tenths of a mile, then it begins the sharp up hill to Main Street.  This is the largest of the hills on the course.

At the top of hill the course turns right onto Main Street, and a gradual one mile downhill begins as it passes by the historic Long Plains School.  The first of two water stops is at The Long Plains School,  a museum, and the site of the annual Acushnet Apple Peach Festival.  This festival is held the weekend following the race. People from all over New England are treated to good food, music, spirits, and of course the best apple and peaches found anywhere. 

         Just past the Long Plains School, at the route 105 junction, is  the two mile mark.  The race proceeds downhill past open fields, small farms, family orchards, and the historic Long Plains Cemetery dating back to the 1700's

        The course makes a right turn on to Leonard Street, and begins one mile of small rolling hills. It passes over the Acushnet River and by the second water stop.  The historic site of the Leonard Boat Builders is on the left.  

On this site many of the long boats used by  New Bedford and Nantucket whalers was produced.  The cranberry bogs and tree lined Leonard Street makes up the last three quarters of a mile until the course turns back north onto Middle Road.  It's four tenths of a mile gradual up hill then a sharp drop to the finish behind the Ford Middle School.