I’m pretty sure Mrs. Running Griffin had ulterior motives when she asked if I wanted to sign-up for the Brockton Firefighters 5K largely rooted in how much she enjoys watching Chicago Fire on television. Even though Kelly Severide and Matt Casey were not going to be there, we made our way to the City of Champions and toed the starting line for the annual road race that starts and finishes at the Firefighters Union Hall in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Joined by several members of the Brockton Fire Department and firefighters from neighboring towns, runners made their way through the downtown streets of Brockton on a hot June morning. Thankfully the race kicked off nice and early at 9AM before more heat made its way to the region.

As someone who grew up in an old mill city like Brockton, I have a fondness for races that run through urban centers. Though suburban and rural courses have their benefits, racing through downtown city streets is a different style of run and one that should not be discounted. Volunteers and members of the Brockton Police Department did a great job manning the intersections throughout the course. Around the halfway point of the race runners ran past the Strand Theatre Memorial, a memorial dedicated to a significant fire that took place in Brockton’s history injuring several and killing 13 members of the Brockton Fire Department. Members of the BFD handed out water to runners at this spot, as well.

Running through the final mile of the run, runners could hear the distant playing of bagpipes and right before the final turn heading toward the finish line a member of the Brockton Firefighters Pipes & Drums played the bagpipes ushering runners closer to the finish line. All proceeds from the race went to benefit the Brockton Firefighters Pipes & Drums.

Had a good morning of running through the streets of Brockton and finished the race with a time of 23:04, good for 7:25/miles.

It certainly felt like summer last night in Raynham, Massachusetts with a bit of heat and humidity finally hitting the region. Race time temperature at 7PM was just shy of 80 degrees and there was a mugginess to the air that could clearly be felt.

Prior to kicking off the race, local running favorite Jim Dupont noted that he was celebrating his 67th birthday and each runner would receive a $2 scratch ticket as his gift to those toeing the line alongside him on his birthday. Happy birthday, Jim!

Thankfully at this week’s run there was a water stop at the halfway point of the race which on such a humid night certainly came in handy. Despite the warm and muggy race conditions, still managed to run a rather strong race and finished with a time of 25:03, good for 7:42/miles on the 3.25 mile course.

Hoping to keep the routine going as much as I can this summer and look forward to meeting some of you at the Monday night fun runs in Raynham. Join me there!

Attended another one of the Colonial Summer Series runs this Monday evening in Raynham, Massachusetts and had another great post-work run. This week, finished up the 3.25 mile run with a time of 24:28, good for 7:32/miles.

Right around the three mile mark a high school team of runners passed in front of me and pride kicked in a bit. As an “old guy” in comparison, I kicked it in the final .25 miles of the run and hanged with them into the finish line. Though they may have been more causally running than normal, having some youngsters help motivate and pace you into a final kick into the finish line never hurts!

The Race to the Row 5K is hosted by the Somerville Road Runners in Somerville, Massachusetts and this is one race you will not want to miss!

This race takes place on Sunday, August 25th and features a series of fun events through Assembly Square and along the Mystic River. There is a Fast Mile, a 5K and a FREE Kids Fun Run! The 5K is open to runners, walkers, teams and families of all ages and abilities, ending with a fun-filled post-race party with food, drinks and beer served from the local restaurants and businesses!

All proceeds from the Race to the Row will benefit East Somerville Main Streets as well as Somerville TrackPAC.

The course is a USATF-certified 5K that winds through and around Assembly Square in Somerville. It’s a semi-double-loop that starts and finishes by the intersection of Grand Union Blvd and Artisan Way. The route is flat and fast and all on roads making it a great course to try and PR on!

After coming through the finish of the 5K, runners will be guided back to the post-race party. Bananas aplenty will be available thanks to Boston Organics and post-race meal will be provided by Ernesto’s Pizza. Quench your thirst with beer from Harpoon (21+ only). Other beverages will be provided, as well, and dessert comes from another local favorite and one of the race’s big sponsors, JP Licks, who is providing multiple flavors of ice cream to choose from.

To register for the Race to the Row, please click here.  Be sure to also give a “Like” to the race on Facebook.

Summer weather is finally making its way to New England which means it’s time for Monday Night Fun Runs in Raynham, Massachusetts!

These runs are sponsored by the Colonial Road Runners and take place each Monday night and feature a 3.25 mile course that is timed and costs a bargain price of just $2 each week! At the finish line, runners also have water and Gatorade available and the race results are posted to CoolRunning allowing for runners to compete against themselves and try to best their previous weeks’ finishing times.

This past Monday night my oldest daughter and I decided to run the race together and headed off onto the course. The first mile of the course is nice and flat and runners run along residential roads of Raynham the entire way. In the second mile there is a gradual incline prior to making your way toward the Mile 2 marker and immediately following the marker there is a much more significant climb before runners are greeted with a nice downhill stretch heading to the third mile marker. The legs definitely start burning heading up the hill and then racing downhill, and it’s a significant one, a different muscle set can be felt. As you hit the mile 3 marker the course then levels out and runners then have a flat stretch the final .25 miles of the run.

Great first Monday night fun run for my daughter and she ran the entire 3.25 miles at a very even pace and without stopping, even on the hills. At one point on the uphill, I caught her working to slow down her breathing and breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. Proud running dad moment!

We finished the race with a time of 32:10, good for 9:54/miles. Great way to kick off the series and looking forward to more summer family runs coming up soon!