RACE INFORMATION AND COURSE MAP

Appleton Farms was established in 1638 as a land grant to Samuel Appleton. Through nine generations of the Appleton family and the work of The Trustees of Reservation, it has remained one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the United States. Enclosed in the 658 acres are rolling hills and fields with patches of woods, crisscrossed by tree-lined carriage paths, footpaths, and bridle paths. The scenic landscape is dotted with historic buildings, old stone walls, and grazing livestock. In addition to being a lovely place for a stroll (or run), Appleton Farms is home to several working farm operations that include community-supported agricultural production, feed and mulch haying and livestock and dairy programs. Please visit their site at www.appletonfarms.org.

Images of scenic Appleton Farms.

Race History

This year is our annual Ipswich Rotary 5K at Appleton Farms, coordinated by the Ipswich chapter of Rotary International. The race is being held to support the local and international charitable endeavors of Ipswich Rotary. Programs include the Ipswich Rotary Scholarship Fund, the Lend-A-Hand Seniors Program (available through the Ipswich Council on Aging), PolioPlus and RotoPlast. We encourage you to visit ipswichrotary.org and rotary.org to learn more about these programs.

Location

Ipswich is located on the North Shore of Massachusetts, 28 miles north of Boston. Founded in 1633, Ipswich is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and is well known for its historic New England charm. The Ipswich River flows through the center of town, under the picturesque Choate Bridge out through the salt marshes and into the Atlantic Ocean. There are many relaxing ways to spend a day in Ipswich, whether it's enjoying the downtown shops and restaurants, canoeing down the river, spending a day on Crane's Beach, or walking through the paths at Appleton Farms. To learn more about Ipswich please visit the following sites:

Race Times

Please arrive early enough before the posted race time so that you can park your cars, grab a drink, warm up for your event and enjoy the festive family fun area open until 1PM. Be sure to bring friends, family and kids. We suggest arriving approximately 60 minutes beforehand.

Race Start and Routes

The National Anthem will be sung and played at the start of both the 3.5k Walk & 5k Run. Each event will start on Waldingfield Road & each route is unique. Walkers are assured of a leisurely stroll, or hike, on relatively flat trails through the woods, across fields and beside the Ipswich River. Runners compete against the clock and can find the eclectic combination of pavement, trail and country road to be both scenic and challenging. One would be hard pressed to find another race course that encompasses the beauty of Appleton Farms: the route winds its way past grazing cows, through lush forest, down rolling hills, past split-rail fences & aged stone walls and over a wooden bridge.

Course Map

Click for full size

Directions to Appleton Farms

From Rte. 128 (exit 20A); take Rte. 1A north; take left onto Waldingfield Road. Ample parking is available at the start/finis.

From New Hampshire & Rte. 95 southbound (exit 54); take Rte. 133 east; take Rte. 1A south; take right onto Waldingfield Road.

From Boston & Rte. 95 northbound (exit 50); take Rte. 1 north past the Topsfield Fairgrounds; take right onto Topsfield Road; take Rte. 1A south; take right onto Waldingfield Road.

Expanded directions available at Mapquest Map of Waldingfield Rd.

Weather

Training

If you have never run a 5K before or simply want to improve your times, we invite you to check out the training programs at the Cool Running web site. There are four different levels of training for each distance. See the 5K training program for more details. If you have never run a 5K before we suggest you read the New Runners section on the Cool Running site and select a program that is suitable for you. It will also answer every question you could imagine about preparing for and running a 5K. Also take advantage of the Cool Running running log that allows you to plan your runs and compare your performance against your plan. Visit them at www.coolrunning.com.

Sponsoring Organization

This race is proudly sponsored by the Ipswich Rotary Club. To learn more about Ipswich Rotary and their mission, please visit their website: www.ipswichrotary.org

(Although Appleton Farms is NOT a sponsor of this event, Ipswich Rotary would like to thank Appleton Farms for their assistance and cooperation in organizing this wonderful event on their grounds. Without their assistance this event could not have been possible. Truly, "the Appleton Farms Family" and the Trustees are friends of Rotary, Ipswich and Community.)

Proceeds

Proceeds and pledges will go in part to benefit the Ipswich Rotary Scholarship Fund. Each spring, Rotary gives one (1) $5,000 and two (2) $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from Ipswich, Rowley and Essex. The awards are based on academic achievement and demonstrated character consistent with the values of Rotary International (RI). Visit Rotary International at www.rotary.org to view RI's remarkable endeavors including such programs as PolioPlus (the eradication of polio in the world) and RotoPlast (a mission program to correct cleft pallet birth defects).

Shirts

Long sleeve quality shirts will be given to the first 300 registrants for the 5K Run and 3.5K Walk.

Awards

Disclaimer
All prizes must be claimed in person at the time of the awards ceremony. Any prizes not claimed will be donated to the local and international charitable endeavors of Ipswich Rotary.

Exceptions

In-line or roller skates, bicycles, skateboards, strollers, baby joggers, or motorized vehicles are not allowed in either of the Appleton Farms races. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Please respect the rules and rights of fellow runners, walkers and children.

There is no rain date and no refunds.