Tag: cape cod beer

Is Falmouth Cape Cod?

Welcome indeed! Photo credit: American Security.

by Jeff Shaw, July 22, 2021

This basic question – Is Falmouth Cape Cod?, has been gnawing on me for a while. Silly as it may seem, and equally questionable my posing it considering I rarely visit the Upper Cape, I remain undeterred.  

Don’t get me wrong, Falmouth has plenty of going on. It is considered the “gateway” to Martha’s Vineyard thanks to its proximity to the island and requisite ferry service; it is home to the renowned Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, the premier Falmouth Road Race, the iconic Shining Sea Bikeway, and most of its villages have picturesque views of Buzzards Bay or Vineyard Sound. It was the birthplace of Katherine Lee Bates, who wrote “America the Beautiful,” likely inspired by the natural beauty of the land and sea.

It also happens to be the second most populated town. That word “second” is actually what my theory is based upon – Falmouth is second to Barnstable and not happy about it. 

As mentioned above, Falmouth is the second most populated Cape Cod town. Guess which town is first? Barnstable of course!  Falmouth was settled in 1660 (incorporated in 1686). Guess what year Barnstable was settled? 1637, a whopping two decades before (though Sandwich, Bourne and Yarmouth were settled even earlier). 

If you are into baseball, then you may chuckle at this ridiculous fact – Falmouth has the second most runner-up finishes in the Cape Cod Baseball League finals since their last championship – 1980. Adding insult to injury, they also have the longest championship drought of any active franchise since 1980. Ouch.

My point is Falmouth, as solid as its offerings are, seems relegated to “runner-up” status when it comes to Barnstable. Put another way, Falmouth is the sidekick to Barnstable; the Robin to Barnstable’s Batman; the Sundance to the Barnstable’s Butch Cassidy. This beef may go back more than a century.  

As marketing professionals would expect (and suggest), a lot of attractions on Cape Cod have the words “Cape Cod” in their name. Well, “duh” you might say. In Barnstable, examples include: Cape Cod Central Railroad (Hyannis Depot), Cape Cod Mall, Cape Cod Maritime Museum, Cape Codder Resort, Cape Cod Beer and plenty more. 

As it turns out, Falmouth may have embraced this strategy to make a case for themselves as the center of Cape Cod. Below are some examples:

Cape Cod Fairgrounds logo.

Cape Cod Fairgrounds (East Falmouth), 1884

Perhaps the most ironic name, the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in Falmouth is the home of the Barnstable County Fair. You can NOT make that up. And yes, I know the county Cape Cod resides is Barnstable County. But still, that’s pretty funny. Also the Fair is happening this week!

Notice the entire Cape is featured in the logo.

Cape Cod Country Club (East Falmouth), 1928

As one of the earliest golf courses on the Cape, the Cape Cod Country Club name suggests it is the “center” of golf on Cape Cod. It is located in Falmouth. Interestingly, Barnstable opened a golf course in 1992, named the Old Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course. I can’t find the exact history, but believe an agricultural and livestock fair was hosted by the Barnstable County Agricultural Society in the mid-1800s on some fairgrounds. Still, the fact that Barnstable and Falmouth each have fairgrounds, no other Cape towns have/had them, is worth noting. 

My finisher medal and iron-on commemorative t-shirt! Photo credit: Jeff Shaw

Cape Cod Marathon (Falmouth), 1996

Yet again, Barnstable and Falmouth lock horns. There are two marathons hosted on Cape Cod. Guess where they are located? You’re getting the hang of this exercise! Certainly Barnstable (Hyannis Marathon and Half Marathon) and Falmouth (Cape Cod Marathon). 

Now I’ve run both races, and have somewhat comical recounts of each. In 2013, I was volunteering at the Hyannis Marathon and Half Expo, ran into a friend who sprained her ankle, who gave me her bib to run in her place. Having not run much over the winter (the event is held annually in February), I was huffing and puffing at mile 5, but for whatever reason, I recall this glorious tail wind that pushed me along the final miles and assisted in a respectable finish time. My friends were cheering me on at the finish line and it was all smiles.

Conversely, in 2014, I completed my first marathon in Falmouth. Hooray, right? However, I assumed the finish line area would be the place to get food and fuel upon finishing. Most races provide water, food, fuel, even a beer ticket, etc., along with medals, at or near the finish line. Not Falmouth; the water, food and fuels was back at the school/Expo, over a half mile away! There were not as many smiles at the Falmouth finish line.

Notice the entire Cape is featured in the logo. Photo credit: Cape Cod Winery.

Cape Cod Winery (East Falmouth), 2014

And finally, some wine. The recently opened Cape Cod Winery, located on a former strawberry farm, is in Falmouth. But the old guard of craft brewing is Cape Cod Beer (opened in 2004). Not only is Cape Cod Beer located in Barnstable, but has a dedicated tap line in almost every Cape Cod restaurant and bar.

Sorry Falmouth, but Barnstable is winning. 

Now sure, plenty of businesses, cultural sites, even natural resources on Cape Cod have “Cape Cod” in their name (Cape Cod Rail Trail-Dennis+, Cape Cod Light-Truro, Cape Cod Creamery-Yarmouth+, Cape Cod Lanterns-Chatham; Cape Cod Realty-Orleans, Cape Cod Sea Camps-Brewster, Cape Cod National Seashore-Eastham+, etc.). Some off Cape businesses do too (Cape Cod Café-Raynham+) just to attract the wandering eye. 

But Barnstable and Falmouth take the name game to the next level. Just don’t finish second.

Breweries “Hopping Up” All Over Cape Cod

Author’s Note: Happy 2020! As the calendar turned from December to January, a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation of a new year – even decade – can be hard to ignore. Will everyone be driving an electric vehicle over new, safer and modernly designed Bourne and Sagamore bridges, by the end of the decade? Will composting food waste be the norm, to slow the cost of garbage collection and put to better use the release of carbon into the atmosphere. Further, what will our ocean look like; temperature, sea level rise, teaming with fish? I hope so. 

This new decade is also going to be a big year for the Shaws, as our family will be adding a new member. A nervous excitement is the best description at this point. While the title wave of responsibility and learning is starting to crest, I plan to squeeze in a little fun while I still can. One of my favorite ways to relax, catch-up with friends and support local businesses is to visit a favorite or new brewery. Can releases and live music are the preferred times to go, as that secondary excitement usually makes for a good vibe. When planning a brewery tour or visit, it’s hard not to initially think of Colorado, Maine, or Vermont for those big name breweries, though Cape Cod seems to be fertile ground for the craft brew scene as well, with three new breweries having opened within the last two years. Whether you find yourself on the Upper, Mid, Lower or Outer Cape, there’s a brewery for you on Cape Cod.

Breweries “Hopping Up” All Over Cape Cod

It’s not new, but the pace of local craft breweries opening across the United States, especially in the northeast, more so in Massachusetts is extraordinary. Did you know Cape Cod is the home to breweries, wineries, a cidery, a vineyard and even a distillery? I didn’t. Part of the Cape Cod Craft Beverage Trail, over a dozen craft establishments have sprouted up across Cape Cod, with most growth among the breweries, three within the last two years. If you enjoy yard games (Naukabout), food trucks (Cape Cod Beer), mini golf (Barnstable Brewing) table games (Hog Island) or pizza (Bad Martha), these breweries are for you:

So many beers to try, so little time. Photo credit: Ellen Shaw.

Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery, Falmouth, is the newest brewery on Cape Cod and the second location in the Bad Martha family, the original in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard. The Falmouth location is near Mashpee Commons, housed in a giant, and beautifully restored rustic barn. Plentiful outdoor seating and parking makes your arrival effortless. Inside the tap room is a large bar, high top seating and a large merchandise section. Dogs are allowed, which won me over quickly. The brewery boasts over ten beers on rotating taps, with a good selection of 4-pack tall boy cans to go. The kitchen serves a variety of pizza, which we have not yet tried. The beer, we did try. Bad Martha’s flights are a delight, with four 5 oz. pours and a paper and pencil for note taking, or in our case, a Yahtzee scorecard. The flagship beer, Bad Martha Ale is an amber ale, with a bit of a Guinness-like finish, was my favorite. The highly popular “508 IPA” was only available in cans and was later consumed by a buddy before I could try it. Kyle! Our bartender, Sheila, from Vermont, who lived in Colorado, gave us plenty of common ground to talk about. The brewery is open ever day, beginning at 11:00 am.

A brew break during the 2019 Cape Cod Mini Golf Masters. Photo credit: Barnstable Brewing.

Barnstable Brewing, Barnstable, is another newer brewery on Cape Cod, despite the founder having 30 years experience making small batches for family and local events. The Barnstable brewery is conveniently located off Route 28, and just happens to be next to Adventure Falls Mini Golf. What better way to spend a spring, summer or fall afternoon – mini golf and beer. Boom! The exterior of the building does not scream brewery, but once inside, has an instant, laid-back family room feel. There are over-sized couches, high tops, and board games. The bar is a long enough to seat over a dozen people, with a handful of drafts and a few canned options. The complimentary pretzels at the bar is a nice touch. The outdoor area features Adirondack chairs, patio furniture and a fire pit. A giant Connect 4 game adds nice color (and playful vibe) to the deck. The blueberry ale is delicious, available in cans and the winner of the day. The brewery is open Thursday through Sunday, and hours are variable. My first visit was at 2:00 pm despite their website saying their hours were 4:00-8:00 pm. Win-win!

Lots of choices on tap at Cape Cod Beer. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Cape Cod Beer, Hyannis, is the long-time, dare I say original, craft brewery on Cape Cod. Their tagline, “A vacation in every pint,” sums it up. Having been around for a long time (1996), Cape Cod Beer is found in pretty much every restaurant or bar from the Upper to Outer Cape. The Cape Cod Red is the flagship brew, though Cape Cod Porter got my attention on this latest visit. The brewery has come along way since my first tour over a decade ago when you could only peek in the brewing operation. The covered outdoor patio greets visitors, followed by a store with merchandise and fridge featuring cans and growlers. The non-liquid “attention draw” is the toy truck collection mounted on the wall. Two complete Matchbox Collectibles Beer Truck Collections; the Great American Micro Breweries and Models of Yesteryear. I won’t spoil the cool story of how this came to be, and instead hope you’ll see it for yourself. There are a ton of events every month at the brewery, such as group fun runs, live music, tours, home brew club gatherings, (hula) hoops and hops night, and even flannel Friday axe throwing. Yeah, Cape Cod Beer has a sense of humor — and a sense for fun. A vacation in every pint, indeed.

Dogs like the outdoor space at Devil’s Purse. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Devil’s Purse Brewing Company, South Dennis, is an established brewery located along industrial row of Great Western Road. The brewery shares the building with other professional offices, but added an outdoor seating area in a section of the parking lot closest to the front door. The outdoor area is yard game and dog friendly, with customized cornhole boards placed carefully between picnic bench seating. The indoor area is cozy, with a few table tops, but most of the room is reserved for the brewing operations. While the handline Kolsch is the flagship beer, my favorite beer only found once in cans, was the Hens & Chickens Double IPA, surprisingly drinkable for such a high A/V. Devil’s Thumb hours are earlier than most, with a 12:00-7:00 pm. 

We never did get on the ping pong table. Photo credit: Ellen Shaw.

Hog Island Beer Company, Orleans, is another established brewery located next to the Old Jail House Tavern, and down the street from the Beacon Room, on West Road. The outdoor area features yard games, seating and is dog-friendly. But don’t try to bring your cute pooch inside, they did not smile, innocent as the transgression was. For us paddleboarders, the Hog Island story is a good one, and the brewery just turned five years old. As Frosty the Snowman would say, “Happy Birthday!” The indoor space is large, with pretty much any table game imaginable; ping pong, billiards, foosball, air hockey and more. Ellen and I each ordered a flight, with generous pours. My favorite was the Moon Snail Pale Ale, though it was not available in cans at the time. During our last visit, staff were setting up for a private event, so add Hog Island to your short list of places to host your next special occasion.  

The colorful can cooler is hard to ignore at Naukabout Brew Company. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Naukabout Beer Company, Mashpee, is a new brewery with the most amazing outdoor playground (for adults) maybe ever. First, the brewery actually has a view of Mashpee Pond, Sam’s Cove side. Second, the multi-level backyard has every classic yard game from horseshoes, cornhole, washers and more. The indoor space is comfortable, with a mahogany bar and well crafted wood tables. The tap list is extensive, which is surprising for a brewery that is less than two years old, but then again, go big or go home. Naukabout does not do flights, but instead does short and long pours. I sampled 3 short pours, still a hearty 8 ounces. The winner of the bunch was “Quitting Time NEIPA,” though the other 12 beers on tap meant that a return visits needs to happen.

Cheers from the outdoor space at Naukabout! Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Other breweries on Cape Cod include Hope Shoal Ciderworks in Provincetown (no public location) and Aquatic Brewing (brewery in planning) in Falmouth. Who knows, by the time this post goes live, there may be a handful more! I hope so. Cheers!

A Winter Survival Guide for Cape Cod

The mountain vistas on Route 40 West from Winter Park, CO, to Steamboat Springs, CO.

Author’s Note: With the holidays now behind us, the long, cold, dark months of January and February are beginning to set in. The temperature today is a mere 16 degrees. Brrr. My inner skier is perfectly okay with this as long as it snows in the mountains (or snow is being made) but the civilian who drives to work, takes the dog out and occasionally runs is not loving the teeth-chattering and bone-chilling cold. For us, fortunately, there is a silver lining. In our case, my wife and I will be embarking on our (now 5th) Annual Ski Trip to Colorado to visit family and friends. This year’s itinerary includes a day trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming (to visit my 20th State Capitol), but more importantly, 3 days of skiing at Winter Park, 1 day at Copper and 3 days at Aspen. Thank you Ikon Base Pass. We may also swing by the Livestock Show in Denver for a firsthand view of the legendary sport (nay, art) of Mutton Busting. So, as Dean Martin sang a long time ago, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!”

The Filing Station Breakfast Sandwich is all you need to get the day started on the right foot!

Go Out to Breakfast. It has been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I tend to agree (as you will see above and below). If the restaurant is not too busy and you are in no rush, grab a newspaper, ask for a table in the corner away from the door and keep the coffee re-fills coming. There are no shortage of breakfast spots – or diners – on Cape Cod, even in the winter months, though a few do close temporarily. Everyone needs to re-charge their batteries. Unlike the summer, when it’s all “grab-and-go,” settle in for your morning meal without the pressure of the summer rush. The wait staff is usually more chatty than the busy months, so get to know your neighbors if you don’t already.

If you like Double IPAs, be on the look-out for the rarely released Chicken & Hens DIPA.

Find a Brewery Tour. The craft beer phenomenon has hit Cape Cod with the recent openings of Barnstable Brewing in Hyannis, and soon to be opening Aquatic Brewing in Falmouth. With Devil’s Purse, Hog Island, Cape Cod Beer and Cisco on Nantucket already established, almost any craft beer needs can go (growler) filled (pun intended). Most breweries can their beer and offer growler(s) fills for seasonal beers with limited availability.

Go to the Movies. While going to the movies is not an activity unique to winter, it is certainly a reasonable one. Despite the trend of movie theaters closing due to on demand web streamlining, some local theaters have survived despite the changing culture. Chatham’s Orpheum Theater is a good example of a small cinema that also offers a restaurant, bar, and concessions. As you enter the main lobby, a powerful wall mural hits you smack in the face featuring familiar faces of Hollywood lore.

Clark W. Griswold gets a little emotional watching the home videos.

Dust off those home movies and Polaroids. No one wants to admit it, but we all have artifacts of the past—home movies, Polaroid pictures and even slide decks. Remember the scene in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation when Clark gets stuck in the attic and to kill time awaiting rescue, plugs in the slide projector? We all laughed, he cried, and we laughed again when “Dear Frances” opened the attic ceiling door. Why not replicate that joy and laughter? Just don’t get stuck in the attic.

A little paint, a few oyster shells and some scrap wood is all you need for a little art project.

Create Your Own Art.
Even if you don’t have youngsters around, there are tons of ideas for fun art projects to break-up any routine. For starters, a small paint and brush set is less than $20. Driftwood, dried pine cones and leaves make great bases and accent pieces. Not into painting, how about photography? Ever take a picture of a breathtaking sunset, waterfall or snowy winter morning? Well, order a 20 x 24 print, frame it and hang it on a wall. A few easy steps and you can relive that moment every day just walking down your hallway! Into jewelry? Craft stores such as Hattie D’s sell thin strips of leather, rubber and beads, which provide an easy way to make a necklace or bracelet. There are even YouTube videos that show viewers how to make knots that can be adjusted.

Check out public announcements for special forums, town meetings, classes and workshops.

Take a class. Admittedly, no one likes homework, but this isn’t that kind of class. Many stores, businesses and retailers offer free or complimentary classes. As an example, Black Eel Outfitters offered fly fishing lessons (dry land), Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore runs a Winter Film Festival, libraries offer reading and writing groups, many of which are free. There are also special town meetings or community forums to stay informed on local issues. Of course, more formal classes are offered by the community colleges, town departments and libraries.

Our Christmas Day activity was assembling the Snowman Celebration. It is still not complete.

Play a board game or puzzle. Odds are you have an old board game or two (or ten), buried in a storage container or closet. Well, grab a flashlight and go find that board game that has not been played in a while. This way, everyone playing is on the same level. (I’m rotating between Clue, Life, Candyland and Chutes and Ladders.) Card games are also fun and there are a zillion YouTube videos (instructions) on how to play. If you have “table room” to spare, find a puzzle that has not be assembled in a while and dump the contents on the table. Set your expectations that the puzzle may not be completed that same day, but there’s nothing wrong with working on it for a few weeks, here and there. Pro tip: start with the edges!

The thick cut slices of country wheat bread at the Roadhouse is essentially an appetizer.

Go to a Pub.Centuries ago, the Public House (or Pub) was not just a place to drink beer, wine or spirits, but a unique social center that focused on community life in that village or neighborhood. Luring in tourists in-season nonwithstanding, pubs, taverns and bars still have a small part in that role on life on Cape Cod. Many pubs have live entertainment, trivia competitions and even karaoke most week day evenings. And if your a sports fan, there will probably be a game or two on the big screen. Some pubs also have a winter diner’s club card (to punch or stamp) to earn a free dinner. 

Create Liquid Goodness. Oddly enough, winter is the only time of year I drink hot chocolate. Weird, right? Well, why not go all out when making this silky sweet goodness. Pro tip: Use milk instead of water (obviously). Whip cream and marshmallows are highly recommended, while a little Bailey’s is optional (depending on the time of day I suppose). Another winter beverage that started as a family cold remedy is the Hot Toddy. While the basic ingredients are tea and whisky, it can be made slightly more respectable by adding honey and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Both options are good ways to reward yourself for shoveling snow off the driveway.

Volunteer. It has been said that volunteerism and philanthropy is one of the highest forms of citizenship. Local charities, nonprofits and other community organizations make ends meet because of dedicated volunteers, donors and Board of Directors. Whatever your passion; elevating arts and culture, improving youth literacy, ending hunger or preserving the environment, there is a nonprofit, foundation or community organization that shares that mission. Find it.

Take a hike. Whether you walk along the shore, dunes or trail, Cape Cod has a surprisingly large number (over 100) of marked hiking trails in every town. Hiking is not only great exercise, but a great way to see a different part of all Cape Cod towns. Of course, be sure to bundle up. As Patagonia says, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear! 

Indeed, winters on Cape Cod can be long, but there are multiple ways to keep the dream of spring alive!

Run the Cod Challenge Part 2-Races

Run the Cod Challenge Part 2-Races.
This is the second part a multi-part series about a new running event on Cape Cod – Run the Cod Challenge! Make sure to read Run the Cod Challenge Part 1 before you dive into the lists below.
2018 Races by Town (off-Cape towns follows Yarmouth)
I’ve compiled a list of almost all races by town to give you a sense of who (organization) is doing what (event type) where (town). The big takeaway is to see where it is easy or difficult to find races to complete the challenge. Many races tend to keep the same time frame each year so there is a good chance that an event in 2018 will occur on/around the same weekend in 2019.
Disclaimer: The information below is not exhaustive as there is no central list of every running race/event. Well, until now! The races below were compiled from a variety of sources, including online, print, and word of mouth via running clubs and stores. Additionally, some races do not have their own website, and instead, use either a registration company or third party to host event payments and race details and/or rely on social media (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter). These promotional partners are subject to change so the links to event pages may not work or become outdated. Fortunately, race/event names rarely change so just use Google to track down the latest event information – or contact me. Bottom-line, there A LOT of opportunities to Run the Cod Challenge! Here they are:
1. Barnstable

Sat, Feb 23, Hyannis Marathon 10K, 10:00am

Sun, Feb 24, Hyannis Marathon, Half & Relay, 9:30am

Sat, March 10, Shamrock Shuffle, 11:00am

Sun, May 6, Cape Cod Beer Race to the Pint 5K, 3:00pm

Sat, May 19, Cape Abilities Harbor Run Fun, 9:00am

Sun, May 27, Great Hyannis Half and 10K, 7:30am

Sat, June 16, Hyannis Triathalon 1 (Centerville)

Sat, June 16 Women Running Wild 5K (Osterville), 6:00pm

Sat, July 21, Cape Cod Run for the Osterville Library, 8:00am

Thurs, Aug 9, Old Home Week 5K (Centerville)

Sat, Sept 8, Hyannis Triathalon 2 (Centerville)

Sat, Sept 15, Girlygirl P.A.R.T.S. 5K for Ovarian Cancer, 9:00am

Sat, Sept 29, David Lewis 5K, 10:00am

Sat, Oct 6, Race to Hope 5K/10K (Hyannis), 3:00pm

2. Bourne

Sat, May 12, Feet, Fins, Flippers 5K, Buzzards Bay, 9:00am

Sun, May 13, Cape Cod Canal Mother’s Day 10K, 7:30am

Sat, May 26, U.S. Coast Guard, Duathalon, 9:00am

3. Brewster

Sat, Aug 11, Brew Run 5.2, 4:00pm

Sat, Aug 18, PaddleSwimRunWalkKayak Against the Tide Series, 8:30am

Sat, Oct 13, Gutcheck Triathalon/Dualathon, 9:00am

4. Chatham

Sun, June 24, Chatham Harbor Run 10K, 12:00pm

Sun, Nov 18, Chatham in the Fall 10K, 11:00am

5. Dennis

Sat, July 28, Annual Dennis Road Race, 10:00am

Sun, Sept 2 Dennis Chamber of Commerce Labor Day 5K Road Race, 10:00am

Sat, Sept 9, Mighty Meehan 5K, 10:00am

Sun, Oct 28, Dennis Police Halloween Hustle 5K, 11:00am

Sat, Nov 24, Andrea Holden Thanksgiving Race 5K, 10:00am

6. Eastham

Sun, Sept 9, Eastham Windmill Weekend Road Race 5K, 8:00am

Sat, Sept 22, Run For Heart Health 5K, 9:00am

Sun, Oct 21, Lower Cape TV Reel Race 5K, 9:00am

7. Falmouth

Sun, April 8, Cape Cod Trail Race (multiple distances & start times), 8:00am-1:00pm

Sun, May 6, Liam McGuire Irish Pub Almost 5 Miler, 9:30am

Sun, Aug 19, Falmouth Road Race, 9:00am

Sat, Sept 29, Zooma Cape Cod Women’s Race Series (multiple distances & start times), 7:30am

Sat, Oct 27, Cape Cod Marathon Half*, 7:30am

Sun, Oct 28, Cape Cod Marathon* & Relay, 8:30am

*Run both for the Clam Chowda Challenge 39.3 miles

8. Harwich

Sat, April 7, Logan’s Run 5K (cancelled in 2018), 9:15am

Sat, Aug 4, Irish Pub Road Race, 10:00am

Sun, Sept 30, Cranberry Harvest  Half & 10K (multiple distances & start times), 11:30am

9. Martha’s Vineyard

Sat, May 19, Marathon, Half & Relay, 8:30am

Sun, May 27, Oak Bluff Memorial Road Race, 10:00am

Aug 5, Amity Island 5K (Edgartown), 9:00am

Aug 18, Annual 5K Run for Jabberwocky (Edgartown), 9:15am

Aug 25, Annual Sullivan’s Run/Walk 5K (Oak Bluffs)

Sept 8, Vineyard Triathalon (Oak Bluffs), 7:00am

10. Mashpee

Sun, May 6, Lovin’ Life 5K, 9:00am

Sat, July 14, Rhiannon McCuish Woodland Run/Walk, 9:00am

Sat, Oct 20, Screech at the Beach 5K, 11:00am

11. Nantucket

Sat, April 29, Daffodil 5K, 9:00am

Sun, June 23, Small Friends 5K Fun Run, 8:00am

Sun, Oct 7, Half Marathon, 8:00am

12. Orleans

Wed, July 4, Nauset Heights Fun Run (2.2 miles*), 8:30am

Sat, Sept 1, Five-O 5K, 10:30am

Sat, Dec 1, Orleans Chamber of Commerce Santa Stampede 5K, 10:30am
*This race may be limited to residents and guests of that community; it is unclear if it is timed.

13. Provincetown

Sat, May 5, Run to the Top, 3:00pm

Sun, May 27, Diva Dash 5K, 10:00am

Sun, July 15, AIDS Support Run/Walk 5K, 8:30am

Sun, July 29, Run the Trails for the Whales 5K, 8:00am

14. Sandwich

TBA, Jan 1, 1st Day 5K, 11:00am

Sat, April 28, Sandwich Cancer Fun Run, 9:00am

Sat, June 16, Mackenzie’s 5K Run for Crohn’s Disease, 9:00am

Sat, Sept 22, Cape Cod Moves Y-Not Trail Race & Expo (multiple distances & start times) 8:00am-1:30pm

Sun, Sept 23, Captain Gerald F. DeConto,USN, Memorial Scholarship 5K Run/Walk, 9:00am

Sat, Oct 6, Cape Cod 4 Kids 5K, 10:00am

15. Truro

Sun, June 10, Ocean to the Bay 5 Mile Run/Walk, 9:00am

Sun, Sept 23, Truro Treasures Pamet 5K River Run, 9:00am (dog show to follow!)

16. Wellfleet

Sun, July 8, Annual Wellfleet Road Race, 8:30am

Sun, Aug 12, Cape Cod Outer Beach Run, 7:00am

Sun, Oct 15, Oysterfest Shuck N Run 5K, 9:00am

17. Yarmouth

Sat, April 28, D-Y Dolphin Dash 5K

Sun, May 20, YPD Blue 5K, 11:00am

Sat, June 16, Run for the Arts, 9:30am

Sat, Oct 7, Yarmouth Seaside Festival Road Race, 9:00am

18. Off-Cape

Buzzards Bay

Sat, Sept 22, Cape Cod Canal Run for the Troops, 10:00am

Sagamore Beach

Sat, Sept 22, Scussett Beach 5K & Family Fun Day, 9:30am

Wareham

Sun, June 17, Lazy Lobster 5K, 9:00am

 2018 Races by Calendar Date

I’ve also compiled the races in chronological order as it may be easier to select races based on your available weekends. Race locations (towns) are listed in bold. Same disclaimer from above applies!

JANUARY

TBA, Jan 1

Sandwich 1st Day 5K, 11:00am

FEBRUARY

Sat, Feb 23

Hyannis Marathon 10K, 10:00am

Sun, Feb 24

Hyannis Marathon, Half, 10K and Marathon Team Relay, 9:30am

MARCH

Sat, March 10

Hyannis Shamrock Shuffle, 11:00am

APRIL

Sat, April 7
Harwich Logans Run 5K (cancelled in 2018)
Sun, April 8
Falmouth Cape Cod Trail Run 5K, 8:00am-1:30pm starts
Sat, April 28
Yarmouth DY Dolphin Dash 5K, 10:00am
Sandwich Cancer Fun Run 5K, 9:00am
Sun, April 29
Nantucket Daffodil 5K, 9:00am
MAY
Sat, May 5
Provincetown Run to the Top, 3:00pm
Sun, May 6
Mashpee Lovin’ Life 5K, 9:00am
Sat, May 12
All Day Ragnar Relay Cape Cod
Buzzards Bay (Off-Cape) Feet, Fins and Flippers 5K, 9:00am
Sat, May 19
Martha’s Vineyard Marathon, Half & Relay, 8:30am
Sun, May 20
Yarmouth YPD Blue 5K, 11:00am
Sat, May 26
Sun, May 27

Barnstable The Great Hyannis Half Marathon & 10K

Martha’s Vineyard Oaks Bluff Memorial Day Race, 10:00am

Provincetown Diva Dash 5K, 10:00am

JUNE
 
Sun, June 10
Sat, June 16
Barnstable Women Running Wild 5K (Osterville), 6:00pm
Yarmouth Run for the Arts, 9:30am
Sun, June 17

Wareham Lazy Lobster 5 or 10K, 9:00am

Sat, June 23
Nantucket Small Friends 5K Fun Run, 8:00am
Sun, June 24
JULY
Wed, July 4

Orleans Nauset Heights Fun Run, 8:30am (unclear if timed/open to the public)

Sat, July 8

Wellfleet Annual Wellfleet Road Race, 8:30am

Sat, July 14
Sun, July 15

Provincetown AIDS Support Run/Walk 5K, 8:30am

Sat, July 21
Sat, July 28

Dennis Annual Dennis Road Race, 10:00am

Sun, July 29

Provincetown Run the Trails for the Whales 5K, 8:00am

AUGUST 
Sat, Aug 4

Harwich Irish Pub Road Race, 10:00am

Sun, Aug 5

Martha’s Vineyard Amity Island 5K (Edgartown), 9:00am

Thurs, Aug 9

Barnstable Old Home Week 5K (Centerville)

Sat, Aug 11

Brewster Brew Run 5.2, 4:00pm

Sun, Aug 12

Wellfleet Cape Cod Outer Beach Run, 7:00am

Sat, Aug 18

Brewster PaddleSwimRunWalkKayak Against the Tide, 8:30am

Martha’s Vineyard 5K Run for Jabberwocky (Edgartown), 9:15am

Sun, Aug 19

Falmouth Road Race, 9:00am

Sat, Aug 25

Martha’s Vineyard Sullivan’s Run 5K (Oak Bluffs)

SEPTEMBER
 
Sat, Sept 1

Orleans Five-O 5K, 10:30am

Sun, Sept 2
Sat, Sept 8

Barnstable Hyannis Triathalon 2

Martha’s Vineyard Triathalon (Oak Bluffs)

Sun, Sept 9
Sat, Sept 15
Sat, Sept 22

Buzzards Bay (Off-Cape) Cape Cod Canal Run for the Troops, 10:00am

Eastham Run for Health Health, 9:00am

Sagamore Beach (Off-Cape) Scussett Beach 5K and Family Fun Day, 9:30am

Sandwich Cape Cod Moves Y-Not Trail Race & Expo (multiple distances & start times), 8:00am-1:30pm

Sun, Sept 23
Sat, Sept 29

Barnstable Annual David Lewis 5K, 10:00am

Falmouth Zooma Cape Cod Women’s Race Series (multiple distances & start times), 7:30am

Sun, Sept 30
OCTOBER
Sat, Oct 6

Barnstable Race to Hope 5K/10K, 3:00pm

Sandwich Cape Cod for Kids 5K, 10:00am

Sun, Oct 7

Harwich Cranberry Harvest 10K, 11:30am

Nantucket Half Marathon, 8:00am

Yarmouth Yarmouth Seaside Festival Road Race, 9:00am

Sat, Oct 13

Brewster Gutcheck Trathalon/Dualathalon, 9:00am

Sun, Oct 14

 Wellfleet Oysterfest Shunk N Run 5K, 9:00am

Sat, Oct 20
Mashpee Screech at the Beach 5K, 11:00am
Sun, Oct 21
Sat, Oct 27
Sun, Oct 28

Dennis Police Halloween Hustle 5K, 11:00am

Falmouth Cape Cod Marathon & Relay*, 8:30am

*Run both for the Clam Chowda Challenge (39.3 miles)!
NOVEMBER
 
Sun, Nov 18

Chatham in the Fall 10K, 11:00am

Sat, Nov 24

Dennis Andrea Holden Thanksgiving Race, 10:00am 

DECEMBER
Sat, Dec 1

Orleans Santa Stampede 5K, 10:30am

I invite the Cape Cod Athletic Club, Falmouth Track Club, Hyannis Road Runners Club, Marathon Sports Mashpee Runners and all other running clubs to Run the Cod Challenge!