Pursuit Racing announces the Twin Lights Half Marathon, set for its inaugural running here along the Cape Ann coastline on Sunday, May 15, 2011.  The race course follows an out-and-back loop starting at Good Harbor Beach along Thatcher Road, through
downtown Rockport, turning around in Pigeon Cove and returning back to the beach. The course is incredibly beautiful, traveling along the rocky coastline of Gloucester and Rockport. Runners will see lighthouses and beaches, and will meander through the quaint and picturesque village of Rockport. Although aesthetically pleasing, the course will also challenge the racers with some hills. The event promises to be an exciting and fun opener to the racing season on Boston’s North Shore and is being sponsored by the Manchester Athletic Club, the race’s Official Training Center. Pursuit Racing was founded by Mike Murray and Stephanie Ridge of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Mike, a Gloucester native and three-time Iron Man finisher, has competed in multiple racing and triathlon events around New England and the US. Steph is an avid fitness enthusiast, rock climber and former Boston College Women’s Ice Hockey player. Dave Murray, a lifelong Cape Ann resident, runner and cyclist has partnered with his brother to produce this race in their hometown. “I’ve biked along this course hundreds of times and logged countless miles
running on Good Harbor Beach and have always been captivated by the light, the smell of salt, the breeze and the challenge. Exercising and competing in this environment, surrounded by this scenery–what could be a better way to launch the season?” After noticing a lack of half-marathon distance races at this time of year north of Boston, plans
were put in motion to create one. “Each time I have guests from different parts of the world visit, they all say the same thing. ‘This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. You are very lucky.’ We think this is the perfect setting for a new half-marathon in New England. If you haven’t seen this course or experienced spring on Cape Ann, you should come and check it out” says Murray, an East Gloucester resident.

Online registration and additional race details are available at www.twinlightshalfmarathon.com.
Pursuit Racing intends to support youth sports in the host communities by making a donation to the Gloucester
Fisherman’s Athletic Association and the Friends of Rockport Athletics.
Contact Info: David Murray 617-968-8690 davidcmurray@verizon.net
Thacher Island photo by Steve Borichevsky