Annual Clamdigger road race rolls back price, running gear

Remember the running gear of 30 years ago?

The split nylon shorts that were so short you risked an indecent exposure charge. The white cotton long johns worn in the winter because Lycra tights hadn't been invented. And then there was that fashion statement that combined the two with the shorts worn over the long johns.

We wore cotton garden gloves, baggy gray sweatpants and the knee-high tube socks with colored stripes. Then there were those state-of-the-art Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers wind suits that not only got quickly soaked in the rain but could be heard a mile away.

And who could forget the shoes? Those bright yellow Nike LDV trainers, the blue and green Nike Elite racing flats and the always popular adidas Marathon Trainer. Then came the venerable Saucony Jazz and the first air shoe, the Nike Tailwind, which felt like running on pillows.

There were no ClimaCool T-shirts that wicked away sweat. Just cotton T-shirts that soaked it up and made you cold.

Well go dig that stuff out of your attic because you're going to have a chance to wear it April 18.

That's because the 29th annual Clamdigger 5-mile road race in Misquamicut has been renamed the Retro Clamdigger to reflect its $8 entry fee, which is what it cost back in 1992.

The application states that special prizes will be given to the most retro runners.

"Wear your oldest, funkiest, dorkiest running gear," it states.

More important is the entry fee of just 8 clams.

"Times are tough. Recession busters bare bone racers unite" states the application form. "Say no to high price races."

The race is sponsored by the Westerly Track & Athletic Club and president Steve Schonning said member Joe Light came up with the idea for the price cut when the club began planning this year's edition.

"We decided to make it as affordable as we can," Schonning said. "We wanted to make it so entire families could come down and do the race and not have to spend a lot of money."

He said track club members were also weary of having to hit up local businesses for sponsorship money to help fund the race.

Schonning said the $8 entry fee will allow the club to pay for expenses such as timing, insurance, portable toilets and other items while still breaking even on the race.

He said runners can still expect a high-quality race with age-group awards and post-race chowder. But there will be gloves for the first 150 registered runners instead of more expensive T-shirts.

"We wanted to do something nice for the community and say thanks for coming down," he said.

And as Schonning pointed out, who needs another T-shirt? Most runners just want a place to race. That's why free summer series like the Tom McCoy fun runs in Misquamicut are so popular.

The Clamdigger begins at 11 a.m. at the Westerly Town Beach in Misquamicut. There is also an 8K judged race walk, a 3-mile fitness walk and a free 1K beach run for kids. More information is available at www.westerlytrackclub.org. Online registration is available at www.needtorace.com.

On the schedule

• The annual Kelley's Pace 3-mile Hare Hop will be held Sunday, March 27 at 1 p.m. at Olde Mistick Village. Applications are available at www.camires.com and there is a gift to the first 150 who register. The entry fee is $15 for those postmarked by Sunday and $18 on race day. Chowder will be served after the race in the village church.

Joe Wojtas is The Day's running columnist.