In
an effort to attain a 51 percent female participation rate in the 2010
Bridge of Flowers 10k Classic, the race’s organizing committee will
introduce several changes to the Shelburne Falls event. The effort arose
when race director Mike McCusker
discovered that only 47.7 percent of racers in the 2009 event were
women, a number shy of the 51 percent of the United States’ population
that is female.
an effort to attain a 51 percent female participation rate in the 2010
Bridge of Flowers 10k Classic, the race’s organizing committee will
introduce several changes to the Shelburne Falls event. The effort arose
when race director Mike McCusker
discovered that only 47.7 percent of racers in the 2009 event were
women, a number shy of the 51 percent of the United States’ population
that is female.
This year’s event ÛÓ voted New England’s USA Track & Field 10k Championship for the 3rd time in the race’s 32 years- will feature changes geared toward attracting more women to the race. First, there will now be a divided start area on the historic1890 Iron Bridge. The
division will extend 100 meters into the race’s Bridge Street start.
This new start arrangement will satisfy the racing needs of both female
and male participants, providing women an equal chance of starting at
the instant the gun is fired.
division will extend 100 meters into the race’s Bridge Street start.
This new start arrangement will satisfy the racing needs of both female
and male participants, providing women an equal chance of starting at
the instant the gun is fired.
Second,
there will now be two lead press vehicles ÛÓfor the male and female
leaders- provided by Toyota Ford of Greenfield. The women’s lead vehicle
will enter the race near the two-mile mark. Both lead vehicles will
have radio operators relaying mid-race communications to the finish line
announcer. The figure eight, double loop course has always provided a spectator friendly experience; the second lead vehicle will now further enhance this experience, allowing spectators on Bridge Street to follow the progress of the women’s race.
there will now be two lead press vehicles ÛÓfor the male and female
leaders- provided by Toyota Ford of Greenfield. The women’s lead vehicle
will enter the race near the two-mile mark. Both lead vehicles will
have radio operators relaying mid-race communications to the finish line
announcer. The figure eight, double loop course has always provided a spectator friendly experience; the second lead vehicle will now further enhance this experience, allowing spectators on Bridge Street to follow the progress of the women’s race.
Third,
so as to increase visibility of female finishers among the race’s
expected 1,500 participants, local runners bearing large flags will
accompany the top female runners as they enter the village and finish
line area.
so as to increase visibility of female finishers among the race’s
expected 1,500 participants, local runners bearing large flags will
accompany the top female runners as they enter the village and finish
line area.
Fourth,
the race committee will now offer women’s cut t-shirts , as well as the
standard unisex t-shirts, to the to all race registrants and race
volunteers. To register for the race, go to www.bridgeofflowers10k.com.
For more information on Shelburne Falls’ lodging options, charming
downtown, beautiful surroundings, and nearby recreational opportunities
ÛÓfrom zip lines to rafting trips ÛÓ visit www.shelburnefalls.com.
the race committee will now offer women’s cut t-shirts , as well as the
standard unisex t-shirts, to the to all race registrants and race
volunteers. To register for the race, go to www.bridgeofflowers10k.com.
For more information on Shelburne Falls’ lodging options, charming
downtown, beautiful surroundings, and nearby recreational opportunities
ÛÓfrom zip lines to rafting trips ÛÓ visit www.shelburnefalls.com.
The 32nd running of the Bridge of Flowers 10k Classic will take place on Saturday, August 14th at
9:00 am. The race is held in downtown Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.
The competition starts and finishes near the beautiful Bridge of Flowers
and the village’s numerous restaurants and coffee shops.
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