High school harriers will have two races to test their summer training this weekend.
At Diamond Hill State Park in Cumberland on Saturday is the annual Cumberlandfest 5K. This low-key race attracts an average of 100 participants each year and a good share of current and former high school runners to the starting line. The out-and-back course is moderately challenging with a steep quarter-mile incline about a half mile into the race. The reward is that same hill provides a nice decline in the closing mile. The event, held in conjunction with the town's annual four-day summer celebration, is USATF sanction. T-shirts will be given to the first 100 entries and, as always, there will be plenty of raffled prizes for participants. Click here for more information.
The following day at Narragansett Pier School is the tenth annual Bobby Doyle 5M Summer Classic. Sunday's race has potential to produce some fast times. Race officials have decided to switch back to the original five-mile course, a flatter terrain with less curves in the road. For the HS runner or anyone wishing to utilize the race as a 5K tempo run, there will be a mat at the 5K mark that will record your time at that point. For the top runners gracing the starting line, there will be an $8,000 cash purse, including $3,200 for USATF-New England Teams. There will also be pre-drawn raffled prizes to all those entered. Proceeds for the Doyle race support youth and high school running. More than $60,000 has been given out in the previous nine years. Tech T-shirts and finisher's medal are awarded to all participants. Click here for more information.
Of note, both races offer a discount to high school runners.