Charity
The Rock Run is a professional race with a grassroots feel. In 1988, a local Nantucket Lifeguard
trained to be the first to run around the entire island of Nantucket. Jim Storey completed this feat in
memory of his father while raising over $2,000 for charity that year. Over 23
years later, the race has had only a few minor modifications, mostly to the
course, but the core principles have not changed. Still held every summer, the Rock Run welcomes regulars and newcomers,
soloists and relay teams, to battle it out for the coveted Cobblestone cup on one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
In the race's early years different charities have benefited from the race,
but over the past few years the Rock Run has formed a strong partnership with the Nantucket Autism
Speaks Resource Center. Through Fingerprints, Inc, one hundred percent of the race fees go
towards helping Nantucket residents stay on the Island to receive help
with autism within their families. Our goal is to keep growing the race every year so that The Rock Run can
donate more and more to this great cause. In 2011, twenty teams and nine soloists competed, raising $5,000 for
Autism Speaks.
Challenge
Although the
race benefits charity, the Rock is no “fun run”. A grueling competition
in which the course requires runners to choose between running ankle deep in sand or waist high in
crashing waves, all while trying
to beat the early August heat in order to span all or their portion of the 50
mile perimeter of Nantucket as fast as possible. And the competition is fierce. In 2011, there was only a four minute difference
between the first two teams. Incredibly, the top soloist finished ahead of more than
half the relay teams. And although victory is sweet, many teams compete for the challenge the race and course offer, for the Rock Run is more than
an athletic competition, it's an accomplishment.
Camaraderie
Warning: this race is contagious, we usually see a return rate of our runners at over fifty percent. Fast
friendships are required as teams often have to work together to get out to
some of the more remote check points around the island. After completing a leg you become an
alumni within the Rock Run community and will find even years later you can come back
to the same race and be surrounded by familiar faces. And don’t worry if you want to compete but are not apart of a team or are a few runners short, for many teams are finalized or formed at the
Pre-Race Meeting the night before.
Celebration
The easiest way to forget about tight calves and sore arches is
to join us at the Post Race Party held the night of the race. Here you’ll have a chance to compare
times and exchange war stories with your fellow Rock Runners. The Cobblestone Cup is awarded, emails
addresses are exchanged, and teams begin forming for the next year.
We look forward to seeing you on the Rock, and make sure to say
“Hi” to Jim, the original Rock Runner and our current race director!
The Rock Run in the Media
1988 Rock Run Article
2002 Trail Runner Article
2006 Preview in the Inquirer and Mirror
2006 Inquirer and Mirror Article
2008 Inquirer and Mirror Article
2009 Inquirer and Mirror Article
2011 Inquirer and Mirror Article | 
