Becomes First Pro Athlete to Run on New High School Track Funded by Falmouth Road Race, Inc.
Falmouth, MA (July 10, 2020) – Ben Flanagan, winner of the 2018 New Balance Falmouth Road Race, became the first pro athlete to train on the new Falmouth High School track when he did a workout there recently.
The new James T. Kalperis Track features a BSS 300 polyurethane surface certified by World Athletics and serves as the site of the Aetna Falmouth Elite Mile and the Tommy Cochary High School Mile the night before the 7-mile road race. Manufactured by Beynon Sports Services, which also did the new track for the famed Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, it was funded by Falmouth Road Race (FRR), Inc.
Its approximate cost of $425,000 is just part of the $3.69 million the organization has donated to community projects since 2012.
“When I came to the Falmouth Road Race the first time and was fortunate enough to win, I only knew the race as the national event that all the elites were looking forward to,” said Flanagan, 25, who became the first Canadian champion in the race’s history when he won it just months after taking the NCAA title at 10,000 meters. “Over the past couple of years, it’s been a huge privilege to get to know the organization better, and to see the huge impact it has on the community. I look forward to being involved for as long as they’ll have me.”
Flanagan was on the track as part of his training for the New Balance Falmouth Road Race At-Home Edition, which he plans to run virtually from his Charlottesville, VA, training base sometime between August 15 – the birthday of the race’s late founder, Tommy Leonard – and August 29. Flanagan is the first pro athlete to be announced, with more expected soon.
“Given the uncertainty of the competitive season, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to race Falmouth even if it’s not head-to-head on the course,” Flanagan said. “Training has been going great this spring, so I can’t wait to showcase my fitness at one of my favorite events of the year.”
Entries are still available at falmouthroadrace.com.
About Falmouth Road Race, Inc. The New Balance Falmouth Road Race was established in 1973 and has become one of the premier running events of the summer season. Each year the race draws an international field of Olympians, elite and recreational runners out to enjoy the iconic 7-mile seaside course. The non-profit Falmouth Road Race organization is committed to promoting health and fitness through and philanthropic giving.