By STEVE MAZZONE

Sports writer

LINCOLN -- Chris Magill loves a good, competitive race.
If there’s top-level runners at the starting line, chances are you’ll see the former Saint Raphael Academy standout right there in the mix.
That’s why this Sunday morning will be a tough one to endure for the 36-year-old Magill, who still wins his fair share of races against the younger folks. With limited quality workouts the last few weeks, the Cumberland runner has decided not to be among the field at the 10th annual Rhody 5K Road Race, hosted by Twin River.
 “I’m really disappointed not to run it. I just don’t think it would do me any justice,” said Magill from his home on Tuesday night. “It kills me, but I’m a little banged up right now and just doing mileage...I don’t want to run a race and just do OK and be disappointed.”
Magill is one of several runners that always has the Rhody 5K on their to-do list every year. The race, which is once again part of the USATF New England Grand Prix Championship circuit, attracts a stellar field of some of the best in the region. Along with the high-quality field, the Twin River event also draws a consistent mass of runners of various abilities to the start.
It’s an elite competition, but it’s also a family-type event. A series of kids’ races (ages 12 and under) take place on the dog track of the gaming facility after the main event and a generous barbeque greets all participants at the conclusion.
“Being the 10th annual Rhody 5K, the race has evolved into one of the region’s premier athletic events,” said Kim Ward, Twin River’s Director of Public & Community Affairs. “It’s an event the whole family can enjoy - packed with various kids activities and an award-winning, post-race barbeque.”
The race also has been a charitable one, donating more than $713,000 to its primary beneficiaries - the Tomorrow Fund, Lincoln Days Committee and the Twin River Adoption Program - the last nine years.
The Tomorrow Fund, an independent, non-profit clinic providing financial and emotional support to the families of children stricken with cancer, has been given the largest sum at $548,000.
“We are extremely thankful to all our sponsors and volunteers who have pulled together to support our signature charitable endeavor,” Ward said. “We are pleased to lend a helping hand to our charitable partners - The Tomorrow Fund, Lincoln Days Committee and the Twin River Greyhound Adoption Program during these difficult economic times.”
For a race that has a little bit of everything, Magill always liked the fact that he could toe the line with some of the best right in his own backyard. He has run the Rhody 5K six times.
“It’s just a competitive race,” he said. “Twin River does a great job putting on the race as far as money ($7,000 in total prize money) and sponsorship. They make it a big-time race. It’s a big-race atmosphere.”
In 2007, former Providence College greats Mark Carroll and Roisin McGettigan cruised to course records on the relatively flat, out-and-back course. Carroll held off fellow Irish Olympian and PC alum Martin Fagan and Brown grad Patrick Tarpy at the finish line with a time of 14 minutes, 27 seconds. Fagan was also timed in 14:27 with Tarpy just a stride behind in 14:28. McGettigan averaged a crisp 5:22 per-mile pace to cop the women’s title with a time of 16:39, good for 15th overall. Magill placed eighth in that race at 15:44.
Further proof of the quality field that comes to the Rhody 5K was on display in last year’s race. Patrick Moulton, an ex-Friar standout and a 2:15 marathoner, broke the tape in 15:02. He was followed closely by second-place finisher and 41-year-old Kenyan Paul Mwangi, who finished in 15:06. Thirty-one more runners cracked 16 minutes in the race. Magill was 36th with a solid time of 16:05.
“I was disappointed last year but believe it or not maybe I expected too much from that,” said Magill, who admitted he wasn‘t in his best shape prior to the race. “I probably wouldn‘t have run it if it wasn‘t the Rhody 5K.”
The CVS/Caremark Downtown 5K, which has hosted the U.S. championships for a number of years, is considered the granddaddy of all five-kilometer races in Rhode Island and perhaps the northeast region. Magill ranks the Rhody 5K right behind.
“For a 5K in Rhode Island, I have to put Downtown 5K as number one,” he said. “Other than that, for a Rhode Island 5K, it’s definitely behind the Downtown 5K.
“It attracts runners from all over. You get the region’s best, you really do. They promote the race well. They have a good race director. I never have any complaints.”
The race is managed by Dave McGillivray of DMSE, the same company that manages the Boston Marathon. The course itself is spectator-friendly. It begins near Twin River’s south entrance, follows a course that goes around the gaming facility, heads out to Twin River Road and Louisquisset Pike and returns back to Twin River with participants running the final quarter mile on the dog track.
“It‘s a race that people have fun,” Magill said. “It’s a good course to watch a race. You can probably watch three quarters of the race from one point by just turning around.”
Per usual, McGillivray expects another successful race with at least a 1,000 runners answering the starter’s gun come Sunday.
“The number one reason the race has been a success over the years is the support of Twin River,” McGillivray said. “They have truly embraced the concept and allowed us to use this venue and a very good course. Obviously the barbeque at the end of the race is a huge attraction. In addition to that we have applied for Grand Prix status and (nearly) each year we have been chosen, which is a testament to Twin River. The (Grand Prix) has increased the quality of the field. We obviously have a lot of depth.”
“Lastly, and not necessarily last on the list, is the money raised for the many local beneficiaries. It’s amazing how much the race has raised. It’s a lot of good will, a lot of good feelings.”
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Just like in year’s past, there will be a separate starting time for the men and women. The men begin at 9:30 a.m., with the women answering the gun at 10. The kids’ races start at 10:45...Registration for the Rhody 5K will take place on race day from 8 to 9:15 p.m. For an entry fee of $25, participants receive an official technical running shirt (first 750 to register) and a ticket to the barbeque. The kids races are free of charge will all entered receiving a participatory gift, while supplies last…For more information, check out the race’s website at rhody5K.com or call 877.82RIVER, ext. 8364.