I wish more races started at 9AM!

9AM races are just about the ideal time as it is never too hot and the day is not completely over by the time the race is complete. Holding off on races until noontime is often times a necessary task, but when you are able to get a 5k in at 9AM, life is good.

Today I headed down to Hanover, MA to run in the Friends of Julie 5k. The race started out with a jam-packed starting line and for a first annual race, having close to 400 runners and walkers is success in any race director’s book. The course went out through a rather residential area and the 5k loop had some pretty good rolling hills mixed in. From the 1.5 mile mark to about the 2 mile mark you were gradually climbing up the rolling hills. The final mile or so was relatively flat and as you made your way to the finish line the crowds grew pretty large and enthusiastic.

I finished the race in 23:31 or 7:34/miles which was good enough to place 26th overall and 2nd in my age division of 20-29. A post race award ceremony took place and the 2nd place in the age division was good enough to take home a trophy today!

About Friends of Julie

Friends of Julie is a non-profit organization that strives to offer memory making experiences to families who are faced with the realities of a late stage cancer diagnosis.

The cost of treating cancer is in the billions and expected to rise even further in the coming years. Many late stage patients cannot continue to work or earn an income – financial resources are generally depleted by the cost of treatment. From diagnosis, through grueling treatments, to the large emotional and physical toll ̶ the whole family is affected.

For late stage patients, the value of the gift of quality time with those that you love, away from the world of cancer, cannot be underestimated.

Friends of Julie was started by Mark and Julie Porzio after Julie was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. They quickly realized how valuable time was with their family and wanted to give that gift to other, less fortunate cancer patients. A moment lasts all of a second, but the memory lives on forever.