An annual trip down to Bourne, Massachusetts was in the works last weekend for the Weary Traveler Winter Run. Sponsored by the Cape Cod Runners and serving as a fundraiser for the Bourne Conservation Trust, the Weary Traveler was the first Grand Prix race for the Thirsty Irish Runners this season making it a race sure not to be missed.

The race is known well for its moderately challenging 4.9 mile course that takes runners up and down some good residential hills throughout the town of Bourne. This year, between miles 2 and 3 the road was rather icy with a small one lane section safer to run on than the rest of the road. Not one looking to spend the rest of the season out due to an icy fall related injury, I dialed the pace back a little bit on this section to stay safe. The race time temperature was really borderline between a comfortable winter run and freezing but the decision to keep pants and a hat on proved to be a good one as the temperatures seemed colder out on the course.

The Weary Traveler offers runners a real Cape Cod experience complete with clam fritters and clam chowder post-race. The large club hall upstairs was jam-packed with runners from various clubs including the TIRs, Colonial Road Runners, Wampanoag Running Club and Cape Cod Road Runners to name a few.

I finished the Weary Traveler with a time of 40:27 which was good for 8:15/miles.