It was a Thirsty Irish Runners Grand Prix race weekend so on Sunday morning it was off to Falmouth, Massachusetts for the Liam MaGuire’s Irish Pub Almost 5 Mile Road Race.

The race started right in the downtown section of Falmouth and took runners on a remarkably scenic route through Falmouth complete with ocean views, beachfront streets and some of the same roads runners tackle on the Falmouth Road Race and Cape Cod Marathon. The course is an almost five mile race clocking in a distance of 4.9167 miles and is one of the better courses I have run in quite some time.

The race had a nice crowd of runners tackling the course and the route was well marked at each turn with signs and volunteers. There was one water stop on the route; perhaps could have had one extra water stop along the way, but that is really the only constructive feedback. The weather made for some really nice running conditions with temperatures in the high 50’s and just a slight beachfront breeze gracing the race course.

I finished the Liam MaGuire’s Irish Pub Almost 5 Mile Road Race with a time of 39:26, good for a pace of 8:02/miles. This is certainly a race I would look to do again in future years! Be sure to “Like” the race on Facebook by clicking here so you can keep an eye out for next year’s run information once posted!

On June 9th, plan to make your way to Dedham, Massachusetts for the Pack the Pantry 5K.

Hosted and sponsored by St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 950 East Street, Dedham, the “Pack the Pantry 5K” will seek to raise money for the Dedham Food Pantry. The race day festivities will include a Kids Run at 8:30 AM followed by the 5K at 9:00 AM. After you are done tackling the 5K course, there will be a free pancake breakfast for all participants following the race.

This is a good opportunity for all members of the community to support the needs of the hungry in the Greater Dedham area. If you register online and share the race on Facebook, you will also receive a $2 discount off your registration fee so be sure to register today!

Runners (and walkers!) can sign up at https://www.raceentry.com/race-reviews/pack-the-pantry-5k-dedham.

I look forward to seeing you in Dedham on June 9th!

This weekend was a back-to-back race weekend with Saturday’s Benting Strong 5K followed by Sunday’s Spring Classic 5K in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Cambridge Classic series feature seasonal 5Ks that take runners through the heart of Cambridge and the weather for this year’s Spring Classic made for some very nice running conditions.

The Spring Classic is not the kind of race where you will likely make a PR as you are running amongst a sea of other runners on a 5K course. The course is relatively pancake flat and there is no shortage of running friends joining you along each step of the course. It is sort of surreal to run down Mass. Ave on a Sunday morning with bystanders, Uber drivers, Sunday commuters and others sort of taking it all in that close to 3000 runners are out for a run.

The course is patrolled at each intersection by a Cambridge Police Officer and the race really takes precedent to any traffic needs for the short amount of time it takes for runners to pass by. A water stop is at the midway point and runners are treated to both a tee-shirt and a pint glass should they register far enough in advance.

Post-race, a really nice setup of tents for larger teams and a beer line for all participants is available and this year Brooklyn Brewery was the featured beer with both an orange pale ale and a summer ale available.

Felt good running on Sunday and finished the Spring Classic 5K with a time of 24:44, good for 7:58/miles. For such a crowded course, great result and good way to cap off a back-to-back race weekend!

On Sunday, May 20th head over to Boston, Massachusetts and join me at the Esplanade 5K!

If you have never run the Esplanade before, this 5K will take you on the most popular route in Greater Boston! This course takes an unparalleled riverfront route with both water and garden views set against the iconic backdrop of the Boston and Cambridge skylines. The Esplanade is one of the best spots to run in all of Boston and this race, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, will take runners across the Esplanade for a great run! The finish line is perfectly photogenic, with passing sailboats on the Charles River.

Proceeds from the race will benefit The Esplanade Association so in addition to being able to run a great course you will also be supporting an awesome cause. The Esplanade Association is a 100% privately-funded nonprofit organization that works to revitalize and enhance the Charles River Esplanade, sustain the natural green space, and build community by providing educational, cultural, and recreational programs for everyone. Working in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Esplanade Association is dedicated to improving the experiences of the millions of visitors who enjoy Boston’s iconic riverside park.

To join me at the Esplanade 5K, please click here to register. Be sure to also RSVP on the race’s Facebook event page and I’ll see you at the starting line on May 20th!

This morning it was off to Pembroke, Massachusetts for the 2nd Annual Benting Strong 5K. This race took place in memory of Matt Benting, a Bridgewater State University student who passed away unexpectedly at a young age.

The race took place on a familiar course that matched the HussDog Jog 5K Road Race course. Having run the HussDog course in the past, I knew what to expect in terms of the roads and the weather this morning made for some nice running conditions where shorts were called for and a long-sleeve top did the trick.

At this morning’s 5K road race, before runners made their way out onto the course the mother of Matt Benting noted the following: “As you leave here today, I ask you to do one thing in Matt’s memory: Be kind to one another. It doesn’t have to be buying someone a coffee or anything big, it can be holding the door for someone, smiling at someone or just saying hello.” Some pretty awesome words to live by if you ask me!

This course is a rather moderately challenging 5K course with a couple rolling hills mixed in and a decent little incline in the final mile. Just before you hit the three mile marker there is another late, slight uphill that keeps the legs honest. The Pembroke Police Department did an excellent job patrolling the course and volunteers were at a couple of the turns, as well. A water stop was available at the half-way point and each mile was marked for runners.

I finished the 2nd Annual Benting Strong 5K with a time of 25:15, good for 8:08/miles. Thanks to Marathon Physical Therapy for providing some much needed post-race stretching and muscle work!