Tag: Nature

Recent Trail & Park Runs

On By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

In an effort to mix up some of the running scenery, I have recently taken to some different trails across Southeastern Massachusetts and enjoy checking out new spots.

The World War II Veterans Memorial Trail in Mansfield, Massachusetts is a great trail that spans Mansfield and then heads into nearby Norton, as well. Though I had run the Mansfield stretch before the addition of the Norton side is a nice touch for the trail and an out-and-back run took me 6.2 miles along the trail. I hit this trail early in the morning and there was a nice group of walkers, runners and bikers taking advantage of the trail. I stopped and turned back in Norton but the trail continued to go on so I’ll definitely be back to this spot to check out the other portion of the trail soon enough!

The West Bridgewater Rail Trail is a nice out-and-back dirt trail that takes runners/walkers through a relatively shaded stretch of woodlands. While I was running the trail no one else was taking advantage of the trail though a walker with her dog showed up just as I was heading out. If you lived in the area, this would be the kind of trail you’d hit every day as it’s conveniently located and is in really nice condition. No paving exists on the trail; it’s fully a dirt path but is largely free from roots and rocks so makes it relatively easy to either walk or run on.

Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area in Halifax, Massachusetts is a real gem of the region. The trails here alternate between some dirt and some packed grass and features over 2,000 acres of ponds, marsh, swamps and retired cranberry bogs with several miles of trails perfect for walking and running. While on my long run here, plenty of birds graced the skies and a deer darted out in front of me while making a turn on a trail, perhaps wanting to race me on the run.

I also checked out the Massasoit State Park in Taunton, Massachusetts and ran an early morning 5K through the streets of the park. This park is run by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation and includes campgrounds, a playground and plenty of trails for hiking. The streets were nice and empty as I got to the park early and if you need a spot to do a few laps and perhaps keep water and fuel at your car this park would be a great location for that. I’ll have to get back at some point to check out some of the trails within the park.

Blackstone Valley Half Marathon

On By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

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Yesterday morning it was off to Pawtucket, Rhode Island to compete in the Blackstone Valley Half Marathon. The race kicked off bright and early at 8AM in downtown Pawtucket and this was my first time competing in this half marathon event. The race also features a 5K option that started after the half marathoners made their way out onto the course.

The race was reasonably priced and featured a nice technical running shirt, a pair of Asics socks and a rather flashy finisher medal. Couple those amenities with a course that was a scenic and challenging course complete with plenty of on-course support and this half-marathon is certainly one that I would gladly recommend runners look into racing next year. The half marathon course had 11 aide stations on the course featuring water, Gatorade and Gu (Mile 6) and the race volunteers and members of the Pawtucket, Central Falls and Lincoln Police Departments did a great job supporting the race course.

As runners made their way out of downtown Pawtucket a series of small rolling hills were mixed into the first half of the race. Most of this section of the race was competed in residential and business roads but the best stretch of the race was as runners made their way into the Blackstone Valley Bikeway, which is an absolutely beautiful stretch of paved paths alongside the Blackstone River. This path is some of the best running scenery around and the natural beauty made the run all the more enjoyable.

After leaving the Bikeway section of the race, runners made the final 5k course back along the roads and headed back toward downtown Pawtucket for the finish line. The finish line had a healthy amount of fans cheering you into the finish line and a DJ who was playing all the most catchy running-themed finish line tunes.

I finished the Blackstone Valley Half Marathon with a time of 1:51:49 which was good for 8:32/miles. This was almost five minutes faster than my last half marathon in Washington, DC. and shows some nice improvement over the running year already!