Author: The Running Griffin

If you are hoping for miracle running tips about how to go out and win the next Boston Marathon, then this website is not for you. I am in no stretch of the imagination an elite runner but then again not many of us are or they wouldn’t be called “elite.” What I am is a runner who has realized the joy of running. Whether it be a 5k race in support of a local cause or a half-marathon or full-marathon with the finish line seeming at times to never be in sight, running allows each of us the ability to sort of leave behind the rest of the world and focus on simply getting to the finish line. We might not win a trophy and we might not make a career out of running but what we are guaranteed is a certain friendship among running friends, better health and the endorphin filled pride each time we cross a finish line. This website will allow me to highlight different races that I have done, perhaps some that I plan on doing and maybe other running stories that I hope to share with runners like myself.

Falmouth Flag Day 5K Registration Now Open!

On April 17, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Falmouth, Massachusetts is one of the top racing spots on Cape Cod and is home to some absolutely great races. On Flag Day, Falmouth will be home to another great race this year as the Falmouth Flag Day 5K will kick off at 10AM on June 14th in Falmouth.

The Falmouth Flag Day 5K benefits the Falmouth Educational Foundation whose foundation is to support and enhance educational excellence in the Falmouth, Massachusetts, public schools by awarding annual grants for innovative programs that are outside the district’s operating budget. The race is organized by Race Director Richard Sherman and the organizers have done a remarkable job lining up some top sponsors that will help ensure the success of the race.

The race course is an out-and-back course along the waterfront and what better way is there to celebrate flag day than to run alongside America’s most scenic shoreline. For a course map, please click here.

To register for the race, you can register online by clicking here. Please also be sure to “Like” the race page on Facebook.

Register for Trav’s Trail Run

On April 14, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open for Trav’s Trail Run which will be held on May 17, 2015 in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

All race profits from this race will help fund scholarships for scholar/athletes at: Newburyport High School, Green Mountain Running Camp, RRCA Road Scholars and Zap Fitness. This race is dedicated to Travis Landreth, (May 24, 1976 – January 12, 2001) who was a Newburyport native and 1994 Newburyport High School graduate and runner.

The race is a three mile cross country race in Maudslay State Park and the fact that the race supports young runners help realize their dreams is a cause all runners can get behind and support.

The race has great trail mugs that are awarded to age division winners and features a huge post-race raffle for all runners.

To register for the race, please click here to register online. You can also “Like” the race on Facebook by clicking here.

19th Annual Doyle’s Emerald Necklace Road Race

On April 13, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

After a long winter, heading out into the Jamaica Plain section of Boston yesterday was a most welcome venture. The sun was beating down and being able to wear short sleeves and shorts while running really felt amazing. The race was the 19th Annual Doyle’s Emerald Necklace Road Race and the race was a great spring run on what turned out to be a truly nice day.

The race is sponsored by Doyle’s Cafe which is a traditional Irish pub in Jamaica Plain. Following the race, the pub does a sensational job putting on a block party complete with a DJ, Sam Adams beer and food. Doyle’s holds the distinction as being the first pub that poured Sam Adams beer therefore having a pint there is sort of the ultimate beer drinker’s utopia after running a good five mile race.

The course itself is a beautiful 5 mile course through Franklin Park which is part of the Emerald Necklace chain of parks. The course is paved the entire way and even with a tough winter the roads for the most part were in pretty good shape. It was great to hear the Boston Police Gaelic Column playing heading out onto the course and close to the finish line as we made our way back toward the pub. I’m not sure if I am the only Irishman who has a strange reaction while hearing bagpipes where I get goosebumps coupled with an extra little kick in the legs upon hearing them play but it was a great touch for an awesome race. Race volunteers were at each mile marker and water was provided by course volunteers and by Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley.

I finished the 19th Annual Doyle’s Emerald Necklace Road Race with a time of 39:56 or 7:59/miles.

Grab Some Friends and Register for the 26.2 Challenge!

On April 8, 2015April 8, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Grab five your your running buddies and don’t hesitate to register for the 26.2 Challenge to be held in Plymouth, Massachusetts on Saturday, April 25th.

The 26.2 Challenge is a team marathon relay featuring an out and back style course where each leg of the race is the same distance. A team of six, you and five of your friends, will conquer 26.2 miles. While your team member is out running, you’re at the transition area with 1000+ like minded people listening to a DJ play the latest tunes and cheering on your friends as they come and go. After the race, you get your beer stein filled with craft beer from Mayflower Brewing and get to chow down on food from Zagat rated RooBar right at the finish line!

The beauty of this marathon relay is that it is a great race for runners of all calibers and more importantly is the ideal way to mix running with fun; isn’t that what it is all about? The 26.2 Challenge brings together all different types of teams. The distance for each leg is manageable at just over 4mi so you don’t have to be an ultra runner to take part. The divisions include; All Male, All Female, Mixed Gender, Running/Tri Club, Corporation & Crossfit. It’s great to see that this race also supports local charities doing great work right in the Plymouth area!

For more information about the 26.2 Challenge, be sure to check out their website by clicking here and “Like” the Facebook page by clicking here. The race has a RaceMenu page for registration that can be accessed here.

35th Annual Frank Nealon Boston Tune-Up 15K

On April 5, 2015April 5, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Yesterday morning it was off to Upton, Massachusetts for the 35th Annual Frank Nealon Boston Tune-up 15K. This race is organized by the Tri-Valley Front Runners and is one of the few wheel-measured 15Ks available in the Greater Boston area leading up to the Boston Marathon. The race takes place on a very scenic and quite rolling, hilly course that is well marked and all on the pavement. The course support is great with miles marked and water stops along the way.

Runners get a commemorative soup mug instead of the usual tee-shirt and post-race there is a healthy spread of different soups and snacks available. The soup inside the school ran out quite fast this year and it seemed as though the amount of crock pots they had with different kinds of soups was far less than last year.

The race day temperatures were in the 40’s and the sun broke through just in time for the race to kickoff. The running conditions could not have been better and the day made for a great day of running.

Last year I had a nice run at this race and finished with a time of 1:18:53 for the 9.3 mile race so I was glad to see I beat last year’s time with a finish time of 1:17:30, shaving more than a minute off my time and running a pace of 8:10/miles which for this distance and hilly course I am quite pleased with. Next season, if you are looking for a course that is a good Boston Marathon warmup race or if you just want to push yourself up and down some good hills, be sure to keep an eye out for registration for the 36th Annual Frank Nealon Boston Tune-Up 15K.