Vassallo: 5 Reasons To Run The Wilmington Half Marathon & 5K On September 27

Below is a message from Dan Vassallo, technical coordinator of the upcoming Wilmington Half Marathon & 5K.

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While it had humble beginnings during its first running ten years ago, under the careful guidance of Nancy Vallee and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce the Wilmington Half Marathon & 5K has become one of the biggest events of the year in Wilmington and the eleventh running will take place on Sunday, September 27th.  As a Wilmington native, the event record holder, and the technical coordinator, I couldn’t be prouder of Nancy and the town for embracing this race as it has become recognized as a premier race in the area.  While I’ll be holding a megaphone instead of racing this year, here are five reasons this is one of my favorite races to run.

  • The course. I helped design the new course two years ago, and we designed it to yield fast times, avoid dangerous roads, and encourage fan support as it winds through some of the best neighborhoods Wilmington has to offer.  Given the right day, this course can help a runner fast or slow achieve a personal best.  Both the half marathon and 5K courses are USATF Certified.
  • The cost. At $30 for the half-marathon, it is literally the lowest-cost half-marathon I’ve ever come across.  We may not have foil blankets, rock bands, energy gels, or permits to close the major arteries in town, but this race passes their cost savings to the runners.  A portion of the proceeds go to deserving Wilmington students through college scholarships.  I’d rather help a kid go to college than have another finisher’s medal sit in my closet.
  • The 5k. Not everyone can put together several weeks of training to properly prepare for a half-marathon.  The 5k provides runners to enjoy race day while allowing the option for a shorter, faster race.
  • The amenities. Wilmington provides everything you need in a road race:  Professional and technically efficient timing, prizes for overall age-group winners, post-race refreshments, and finish line entertainment.  Local businesses also support the race by setting up booths lining Waltham Avenue, and they always have something exciting to offer.
  • The community. Even before working for the committee, I convinced some of my friends to run in Wilmington because I like to show off my hometown.  I’m glad Wilmington, its businesses, police department, public officials, school groups, and fans lining the course have helped the race become what it is.

Now I hope its athletes will do the same thing by coming out to the starting line on September 27th.  I hope to see you there.  Register early at http://www.RaceWire.com or visit the Chamber website www.wilmingtonMAchamber.com  for additional race details.

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Dan Vassallo (photo courtesy of David Schrager)
(photo courtesy of David Schrager)

About DV: Dan Vassallo graduated from Wilmington High School in 2003 and ran under Thom Bradley and Bob Cripps after being cut from the soccer team.  After a career at Colby College that earned him qualification into NCAA Division III nationals in cross-country and the school record in the 10,000 meter, he turned to road racing.  Dan holds the event record at 1:09:08 at the Wilmington Half Marathon, is a two-time winner of the Philadelphia and Maine marathons, holds the course record at the Maine Marathon, and qualified for the 2016 United States Olympic Trials (not the Olympics) with a time of 2:17:28 at the 2014 Philadelphia Marathon.  Dan’s peers voted him the USATF-New England Athlete of the Year in 2014. His hustle is nonstop.

(NOTE: The above was submitted by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.)

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