Yesterday the race docket had me off to neighboring East Bridgewater, Massachusetts for the 1st Annual Run for Jess. Often times when partaking in a first annual race, the risk of the race being somewhat disjointed always exists however yesterday’s race was nothing short of superb.

The course was an advertised tad longer than a true 5k (measuring at 3.3 miles) and took runners through residential roads of East Bridgewater. Though the course was open to traffic, good support along the course along with East Bridgewater Police Department driving the route certainly made the course a nice one to run along. There was a rather gradual incline for what seemed to be a good chunk of the race with a little bit of a downhill finish the last .4 miles or so. The race time conditions were sunny and warm; a great way to spend a final day of summer on Labor Day Weekend.

The amount of raffle prizes that the race featured was impressive and a massive cookout post-race featuring water, hamburgers, hot dogs and chips made for a nice way to refuel post-run. For those who wanted, a cash bar was available at the outside concession stand at the Commercial Club in East Bridgewater.

The race was put on in memory of Jessica Thurston who passed away in her late 20’s due to breast cancer. All proceeds from the run go to the Jessica C Thurston Memorial Fund, which donates to breast cancer research and other worthy causes throughout the year. A huge kudos to her family and friends who helped put on this race in her memory; certainly an honorable undertaking done so well!

I finished the 1st Annual Run for Jess with a time of 25:20 which with the 3.3 advertised mileage equates to 7:40/mile.

I certainly look forward to taking place in this race in years to come until as the pastor who gave the pre-race invocation noted, “…we no longer have to have this race because a cure for breast cancer has been found.”