The Mark Twain Redding Road Race

Our last race in Redding, The Great Turkey Escape 5K on Thanksgiving morning is closing in on a sellout with Registrations 41% ahead of last years pace. Registration link:https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheGreatTurkeyEscape

Registration for the 10th Annual Great Turkey Escape is now open

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23

REGISTRATION LINK: https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheGreatTurkeyEscape

RACE WILL CLOSE WHEN REGISTRATIONS REACH 1,000 WHICH OCCURS EVERY YEAR

2023 Finisher’s medal, yours to earn (the wheels spin)

Latest newsletter is out:

d368g9lw5ileu7.cloudfront.net

The 10th and FINAL Redding Road Race in in 2 1/2 weeks and is 84% sold out. Not to late to register:

https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheMarkTwainReddingRoadRace

As always, the best race swag in running is complimentary for registration

The 2023 10th and FINAL Mark Twain Redding Road Race Registration opens this Sunday, January 1st at noon and closes when we reach 1,000 runners.

SUNDAY MAY 7, 2023

https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheMarkTwainReddingRoadRace

Changes this year:
1. Due to parking constraints, we’re limiting the field to 1,000. Previously we’ve allowed for 1,300+ and have had quick sellouts, so you do the math!!
2. For my sanity (and my timers) we are limiting the races to the 7 miler and the Half Marathon. Unfortunately, we won’t have a 5K or the 5K add on for the Challenge Races. Pricing remains the same from 2022, despite significant cost increases.
3. NO DEFERRALS OR REFUNDS will be allowed this year but transfers will be allowed. No final determination has been made, but this looks to be the 10th and final Redding Road Race. We’ll see how it goes this year, but it has increasingly been tougher and tougher on my core volunteers and me each year. I rather end it on a high than fade away. Please don’t be sad, let’s celebrate the 10 races!!
4. For our final race, we’re bringing in a lot of celebrity runners. I can honestly say, there probably has never been a CT race with such an amazing celebrity field! Back will be some familiar names, Boston Billy, Joan, and Amby; and some new names, Patti, Frank and Dan. As our recent tradition, we’ll have a free casual 5k on Saturday the 6th with all of our celebrities running side by side with you.
As always, thanks for your support since 2012 and please sign up early, ‘cuz when it sells out, it sells out…..
Our Celebs:

BILL RODGERS
Boston Billy is best known for his four victories in both the Boston Marathon, including three straight from 1978 to 1980, and 4 straight wins in the New York City Marathon, between 1976 and 1979.

JOAN BENOIT SAMUELSON
Joan Benoit Samuelson is an American marathon runner who was the first women's Olympic Games marathon champion, winning the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She held the fastest time for an American woman at the Chicago Marathon for 32 years after winning the race in 1985. Her time at the Boston Marathon was the fastest time by an American woman at that race for 28 years

FRANK SHORTER
In 1972, Shorter won the Olympic Marathon in Munich by making a move after 11 miles and running out of sight of the pack on the course’s winding roads. He was the first American Olympic marathon gold medalist since 1908. He won the 1976 Montreal Olympic silver medal behind a runner from East Germany, who was later implicated in the country’s state-sponsored doping scandal.
He won the U.S. cross-country championships four times (1970-1973), was the 10,000-meter national champion in 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975, and 1977, and won the 1971 Pan American Games 10,000 meters.
His Olympic success, along with the achievements of other American runners, is credited with igniting the running boom in the United States during the 1970s.

PATTI CATALANO DILLON
In 1980, Dillon became the first American woman to break 2:30 in the marathon. She is a three-time Boston Marathon runner-up and held multiple American and world records. She is the first Native woman to do all these things.
Catalano has held the World Record in the marathon and American road records in the marathon, half marathon, 30 kilometers, 15 kilometers, 10 miles, and 5 mile. Described as "one of the most dominating American female road runners of the 1970s" and "the queen of U.S. women distance runners", she was inducted into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame in 2006.
Catalano won five of the first six runnings of the Ocean State Marathon (1976-1979, 1981) and four consecutive Honolulu MarathonS (1978-1981). She also won The Montreal International Marathon (1980), and the Rio de Janeiro Marathon (1985)

DAN DILLON
In 1978, Dan won the US XC Trials race in Atlanta to earn what would be his first of several opportunities to represent the US National Team in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. He later represented the US team in the World Championships in 1979 Limerick, 1980 Paris (best finish at 12th place), 1981 Madrid, 1982 Rome, 1984 New York.
After graduating college in May of 1980, he was recruited to join Nike's Athletics West team. He qualified and competed in the US Olympic Track and Field Trials in 1980 Eugene 10,000 meters and 5,000 meters, 1984 Los Angeles 10,000 meters, and 1988 Indianapolis 10,000 meters. His fastest track times were 13:33 for 5000 Meters in 1980 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene (Ranked 8th in US by Track and Field News at 5K that year) and 28:05 for 10,000 Meters at the 1982 Oregon Invitational also in Eugene (Ranked 8th at 10K in US by Track and Field News that year).

AMBY BURFOOT
Burfoot won the 1968 Fukuoka Marathon in Japan with a time of 2:14:28, just one second off the American record at the time. He has a long history of competing at the prestigious Boston Marathon. He won the 1968 Boston Marathon with a time of 2:22:17.
Amby, an accomplished author has run the Manchester Road Race 60 times in a row winning 9 times.

RRR2023 10th Anniversary. Our celebrity running field

May 7. 2023: 10th Anniversary of the Redding Road Race.

January 1, 2023, Noon: General Registration opens and we're limiting entrants to 1,000 this year (from our usual 1,350) so will sell out quickly.

Shortly: We'll announce our field of legend runners to celebrate our 10th anniversary.

9th Annual Great Turkey Escape is 13 days away. No race day registration and it may sell out, so may want to register sooner than later. With Registration you get a long sleeve shirt, embroidered Beanie, logo's gloves, finishers medal and Uncle Leo's donuts!!

The Great Turkey Escape The Great Turkey Escape is on Thursday November 24, 2022. It includes the following events: 5k and 3/4 Mile.

The giant Redding Running Fest medals came in today: eagle one for all finishers and both the eagle one and the skull one for double challenge finishers (5K at 4:30pm, 9K at 5:30pm). Race day Saturday June 25th - races, 10 bands (2 bands on the courses), reenactors, food, beverages and the night completed with fireworks. Register early if you can (helps me with planning) and registrations limited to 750. 200 non-runner car passes also for sale.

https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/ReddingRockNRoots9kand1MileFunRun

Redding Running Festival 5k, 9k and 1 Mile Fun Run The Redding Running Festival 5k, 9k and 1 Mile Fun Run is on Saturday June 25, 2022. It includes the following events: 9K, 1 Mile Fun Run, 5K, 5K and 9K Double Race Challenge, Family Festival Car Pass (Festival entry for non-running families), and Single Person Festival Pass (Festival entry for non-...

Some breaking news running in Redding:
06.25.22 REDDING SUMMER FESTIVAL at the Redding Historical Society (Red barn by the RCC and RES on RT 107)
"A celebration interrupted by a race"
A combined festival of a road race, Rock'n Roots Festival (8 bands) ending with Fireworks. Running meets bands meets fireworks.
Only (750) running registrations available, but you don't have to be a runner to attend. (200) car passes available.
https://runsignup.com/.../ReddingRockNRoots9kand1MileFunRun
RUNNER SIGNUP $20 - $50 (INCLUDES SWAG + FESTIVAL + FOOD/DRINKS)
NON-RUNNER FAMILY FESTIVAL CAR PASS $30 (ENTRY FOR EVERYONE IN YOUR CAR)
**** DUE TO SPACE RESTRICTIONS, RUNNERS LIMITED TO 750/CAR PASSES TO 200 – WILL SELL OUT****
****NO REGISTRATIONS AVAILABLE ON DAY OF EVENT/AFTER SELL OUT****
RACE DAY SCHEDULE (SATURDAY, JUNE 25TH)
3:00pm - Packet Pickup
4:00pm – 9:30pm 8+ Live Bands, Food, Drinks for runners
4:00pm - 7:00pm Races, Reenactors, food, beverages
4:00pm 1 Miler Kids’ Race Start
4:30pm 5K Start (Walker friendly)
5:30pm 9K Start
9:30pm FIREWORKS!!

• And on to the next Redding event; the Redding Running Festival – One big celebration interrupted by a run. Personally, my favorite race.
https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/ReddingRockNRoots9kand1MileFunRun
o 1m, 5k, 9k or double race challenge (run both the 5k and 9k).
o Early evening start, Saturday June 25.
o 750 runner cap and we’re way ahead of last year’s race.
o 2 bands on the course and 8 bands at the festival, from 4pm to dark.
o Full Fireworks show at 9:30.
o Complimentary food and beverages with registration.

Forecasting for the best weather we’ve ever see at the race. A tiny amount of registrations left and NO RACE DAY registration

https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheMarkTwainReddingRoadRace

The Mark Twain Redding Road Race The Mark Twain Redding Road Race is on Saturday April 30, 2022 to Sunday May 1, 2022. It includes the following events: The SLC Half Marathon, The BCR 7 Mile Race, Jumping Frog Frenzy (Kids Fun Run), Mississippi Steamboat Challenge 16.2, Mississippi Steamboat Challenge 10.1, Virtual Half Marathon (i...

The next Newsletter is out - still some registrations available
https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheMarkTwainReddingRoadRace
https://d368g9lw5ileu7.cloudfront.net/races/race120736-customSectionAttachment6255ae7cd453e7.52337601.pdf

The Mark Twain Redding Road Race The Mark Twain Redding Road Race is on Saturday April 30, 2022 to Sunday May 1, 2022. It includes the following events: The SLC Half Marathon, The BCR 7 Mile Race, Jumping Frog Frenzy (Kids Fun Run), Mississippi Steamboat Challenge 16.2, Mississippi Steamboat Challenge 10.1, Virtual Half Marathon (i...

The race with the best Swag produces again!! my favorite gifts ever. REGISTRATION (still a few bibs left): https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheMarkTwainReddingRoadRace

COMPLIMENTARY GIFTS:https://d368g9lw5ileu7.cloudfront.net/races/race120736-customSectionAttachment6230fb959ca2d9.70097844.pdf

ADD'L STEAMBOAT CHALLENGE GIFT:https://d368g9lw5ileu7.cloudfront.net/races/race120736-customSectionAttachment6230fbd73bda19.14501130.pdf

ADD'L JUMPOING FROG GIFTS:https://d368g9lw5ileu7.cloudfront.net/races/race120736-customSectionAttachment6230fbbe385116.49352504.pdf

AGE GROUP WINNER GIFTS:https://d368g9lw5ileu7.cloudfront.net/races/race120736-customSectionAttachment6230fbfa88ce08.91143714.pdf

d368g9lw5ileu7.cloudfront.net

Hat/Visor design - they're real (coolmax) and spectacular. Complimentary to all registrants. See you on May 1st (or April 30 at Swag pickup) along with Deena Kastor, Bill Rodgers and Amby Burfoot. Race is nearing a sellout... https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheMarkTwainReddingRoadRace

Deena Kastor is confirmed for 5.1.22!!! 3 all time greats running now - Deena, Boston Billy and Amby

Weather permitting, the 2022 medals are arriving via UPS today. I'll take a video of the medal and post later as these are the best medals I've ever done, I think.

Race is 70% full, still can register: https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheMarkTwainReddingRoadRace

Newsletter #1 released:https://d368g9lw5ileu7.cloudfront.net/races/race120736-customSectionAttachment61fc2bec3411f7.86055814.pdf

Mockups of our complimentary 2022 hats/visors. Not sure the hat/visor will be black, but you get the idea. 3D Medals arriving any day. Registration for the May 1 race is still open.

https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheMarkTwainReddingRoadRace

Here's a great picture of our 3D finishers' medal for 2022. The red wheel spins. We're finalizing our "celebrity" runner list for this year and hope to be able to announce the 2-3 runners shortly. Believe me, you'll know their names and won't be disappointed. It's still not too late to register, btw: https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheMarkTwainReddingRoadRace

Registration begins noon tomorrow and sells out quickly usually. This year the world is a bit crazy so who knows??

https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheMarkTwainReddingRoadRace

The Mark Twain Redding Road Race The Mark Twain Redding Road Race is on Sunday May 1, 2022. It includes the following events: The SLC Half Marathon, The BCR 7 Mile Race, Flying Frog Frenzy (Kids Fun Run), Mississippi Steamboat Challenge 16.2, and Mississippi Steamboat Challenge 10.1.

A "potential" 3d medal for 2022. It's a 3d medal with a spinning waterwheel. I'll put one of MT's quote on the ribbon.

REDDING ROAD RACE TRAINING RUN THIS SUNDAY

Quite a few of you asked if I could set up a semi-organized run on the Redding Race course on the day we were supposed to run this years’ race. Well…. of course!!

Details:
WHEN: Sunday October 31, 8AM for the 1st 5.9 mile loop, 9AM for the 2nd 7.2 mile loop.
WHERE: Park at the West Redding Train Station (3 Long Ridge Rd, Redding), it’s free on weekends.
MAP AND DIRECTIONS: Enclosed. Map is hard to read, but it will give you a decent perspective. The written directions will correspond with GPS watches. Print this out if you can as the course will not be marked and I won’t have maps at the run.
WHY: There’s no better training run than on Redding Hills
WHY PART 2: Everyone who participates will get the finishers’ medal that was supposed to be handed out in 2020 then 2021. It’s a really cool one and I have 1,500 hanging around my house now looking for a home!!
WHY PART 3: Certain Redding runners will be modeling shirts with a potential Logo for the 2022 race.
WHY PART 4: Why not?
BRING: The map, fuel and a beverage container. I’ll bring some Gatorade and water in coolers to fill up at the train station.
WEATHER: looks good so far, we run rain or shine.

One last big favor: Jacob Cedusky of Redding (The Boy Scouts) led the securing of the Joel Sherman Hoyt Campground as our new venue. Without his work on this the RRR would most likely be dead. If you could send him a quick note of gratitude that would be awesome. Reply to this facebook, I’ll compile the responses, and then I’ll send them to him. Thank you!!

Early registration for the 5.1.22 Mark Twain Redding Road has opened. This registration is open to all runners who were registered for the 2020/2021 race cancelled this year by the farm. Emails, with special registration codes, were sent out to all eligible runners. If you didn't receive the email, and qualify, please email me for the code. Emails change and I'm sure a few of you no longer use the email you originally registered with.

Have a great weekend and see you in May!!

The Great Turkey Escape 5K shirt and beanie

https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheGreatTurkeyEscape

The demise of the Redding Road Race has been greatly exaggerated - lol. Welcome to the new Mark Twain Redding Road Race. Much more to come and see you on May 1, 2022!!!

Great Turkey Escape 2021 Beanie mock-up. Bad picture but beanie is light blue with black and white embroidered logo. Bottom says, "Gallows Hill Rd's got nothing on me"

Registrations currently are triple where they were in 2019 and will sell out before race day.

https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/TheGreatTurkeyEscape

For those wanting to run the race course on the previously scheduled race day of Sunday Oct 31, I'll schedule an informal training run starting and ending at the West Redding Train Station (about mile 2 of the course). We'll add an out and back that replaces the farm loop. Something like 7:30am for Mighty Cowers, 8am for Half Marathoners and 9am for 7 Milers. Hopefully by then I'll have news on future intentions for the Redding Road Race.

Still a very limited number of bibs available for this Saturday night's Redding Running Festival. https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/ReddingRockNRoots9kand1MileFunRun

Totally unrelated, but an Interesting event (at least I think it's interesting). My friend Barry Blumenfield of the band Bone Dry is playing a song we co-wrote on the radio today at noon. "only the river knows." I think this is the link to listen? http://radio.garden/listen/wpkn/e0lD4oHy

Redding Running Festival 5k, 9k and 1 Mile Fun Run The Redding Running Festival 5k, 9k and 1 Mile Fun Run is on Saturday June 26, 2021. It includes the following events: 9K, 1 Mile Fun Run, 5K, and 5K and 9K Double Race Challenge.

Limited Registration available for our Sister Redding Race this Saturday https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/ReddingRockNRoots9kand1MileFunRun


WHERE: Redding Historical Society, 43 Lonetown Rd, Redding (Parking, Start, Finish, Festivities all here)
WHEN: 5:30pm 1 mile start, 6:00pm 5k start, 7:00pm 9K start
RACES: 1 miler, 5K, 9K, and 5K/9K Double Challenge
WHY: Free Beverages (Beer,White Claw, Sodas, Water), Free Food (Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Veggie Burgers) and American Revolutionary Reenactors
COURSE: 9K goes through both sides of historical Putnam Park (No trails, just some dirt roads)
BANDS The Baddogs from 6PM to 9PM at the Festival, working on getting a band on the course
SWAG: Shirt or Sleeveless, Steel Tankard, Finisher’s Medal, Best awards ever for 5 year age Groups

Miss you and would love to see you!! If you can’t make it, please stay safe and hopefully we’ll see you in the Fall.

John

Redding Running Festival 5k, 9k and 1 Mile Fun Run The Redding Running Festival 5k, 9k and 1 Mile Fun Run is on Saturday June 26, 2021. It includes the following events: 9K, 1 Mile Fun Run, 5K, and 5K and 9K Double Race Challenge.

One of my other races is on for June 26th - the first Redding race in over 18 months and the first Redding evening race ever!!

4 races: 1 mile kids fun run (5:30pm), 5K (6:00pm), 9K through both sides of Putnam Park (no trails) (7;00pm) and the double run where you run both the 5K and the 9K (starting at 6:00pm).

Races start and finish at the Redding Historical Society, 43 Lonetown Rd. With the race just approved we won't be able to order medals in time (3-4 month lead time needed) but we are ordering shirts and hopefully aluminum finisher's 16oz beverage cups.

We're working with Uncle Leo to provide beverages after the race and possibly food. Our American Revolutionary re-enactors should be there and most likely a band or two.

We are limiting participants to 500 and are half way there already, greatly outpacing the last time we held this race in 2019. So sign up before it's too late, bring your lawn chairs, run a little then relax a little.
https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Redding/ReddingRockNRoots9kand1MileFunRun

Redding Running Festival 5k, 9k and 1 Mile Fun Run The Redding Running Festival 5k, 9k and 1 Mile Fun Run is on Saturday June 26, 2021. It includes the following events: 9K, 1 Mile Fun Run, 5K, and 5K and 9K Double Race Challenge.