NYC Art Historian Ran 48:02; Now Spending a Year on Martha’s Vineyard
Falmouth, MA (September 29, 2020) – Ann Restak, a 43-year-old art historian from New York City who just began a year’s sabbatical on Martha’s Vineyard, has been chosen to receive an Elite VIP Experience at the 2021 Falmouth Road Race.
To qualify for the random drawing, a man had to finish the 2020 New Balance Falmouth Road Race At-Home Edition in 42:03 or faster, and a woman had to run 50:14 or faster – times based on the 100th-fastest finishers in the 2019 race. Documentation of the 7-mile run was required via a recognized method such as Garmin, Strava, RunKeeper, etc. Men and women were included in the same drawing, with the winner announced exactly one month after the close of the two-week race window. Restak, who ran her At-Home Edition on the Hudson River Greenway in Manhattan, finished in 48:02.
“I’ve wanted to run the Falmouth Road Race for a really long time,” said Restak, who began visiting the Vineyard as a child. “I entered a few times and never got in, so this year was the chance to do it.” She had been training to run the Virgin Money London Marathon on October 4, but opted not to participate in its virtual edition because she is seeking to become a Six-Star Finisher of the Abbott World Marathon Majors – Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York – and wanted to wait to race there in person.
She reached her goal for the At-Home Edition of running the 6:50 pace she had wanted to maintain for London, which she had hoped to run in under 3 hours.
The Elite VIP Experience package for the 2021 Falmouth Road Race includes complimentary entry, travel reimbursement, a three-night stay with a host family, transportation with the elite field to the start line in Woods Hole, two VIP Finish Line Viewing Tent tickets and two VIP Post-Race Party tickets.
Restak recently began working as a residence director, assisting adults with disabilities, for Seven Hills
Foundation in Edgartown. “I always wanted to spend a year on the Vineyard,” she said. “COVID made me think about all the things going on in the world and how I wanted to be more involved in the community. This community is imprinted on my heart – I’ve been coming here since I was 4 years old.”
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 community programs and philanthropic giving.