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.

Boston Firefighters Local 718 10K Memorial Road Race

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A week ago today before I headed off to Logan Airport for a flight to Chicago it was over to the Dorchester section of Boston, Massachusetts for the Boston Firefighters Local 718 10K Memorial Road Race. I have run this race in the past and was pleasantly surprised that the race course was changed from years past and took runners along a nice bike/running path for a good stretch of the race in the final quarter of the race.

The run starts and finishes at the Florian Hall in Dorchester and features all the things one would expect from a Boston firefighters run including fire trucks, firefighters on the course cheering you on, bagpipes on the course and a great post-race celebration.

Runners head toward UMass-Boston and when in years past runners made their way into the campus this year instead featured a quick turnaround and then back toward the aforementioned running path. There were a couple good little inclines mixed into the course and a grate bridge over the harbor makes for a bit of interesting running. I thought this year’s course was much nicer than years past and didn’t miss the loop through UMass-Boston.

I had a pretty decent run at the Boston Firefighters Local 718 10K Memorial Road Race and finished with a time of 52:07, good for 8:24/miles. Would love to see the race organizers keep the course the same as it was for future years and look forward to running this race again!

Higashi Community 5K

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Registration is now open for the Higashi Community 5K Road Race which will be held on Sunday, November 5th at the Boston Higashi School in Randolph, Massachusetts. This is the First Annual Boston Higashi 5K and the race is open to the community with a nice 3.1 mile loop, beginning and ending on the front lawn of the school.

The race is sponsored by Liberty Bay Credit Union, UNIQLO, Racewire, Wegman’s, Brooks and Anheuser Busch. Special participation in the race will take place by Team Hoyt.

The Boston Higashi School’s mission is to help children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder learn to reach their full potential through the methodology of Daily Life Therapy. Proceeds from the race will go to help support the mission of the school

The race entry fee is $30.00 and includes post race refreshments and party complete with food, beer and music from the Boston Higashi School Jazz Band. Tee shirts will be provided to the first 300 entrants.

To register for the Higashi Community 5K, please click here.

Wild Turkey 5 Mile Road Race

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Admit it. You are going to eat a lot of cranberry sauce, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, squash, pie and more on Thanksgiving Day. And you have been known to overindulge in the goodness of a gravy boat. But have no fear! Thanks to the Wild Turkey 5 Mile Road Race you will now have a reason to put those feet up on the couch when the turkey day football games come on!

The Wild Turkey 5 Mile Road Race is held Thanksgiving morning in Salem, Massachusetts and is a great way to kick off your holiday merriment. Proceeds from the 14th Annual Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run on Thanksgiving morning benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem. This is the largest race on the North Shore with 2,000 anticipated participants toeing the starting line and making their way out onto the five mile course.

The first 1600 entries will receive a long sleeve Brooks tech shirt and the race starts bright and early at 8:00 AM so once done running you can head off to your Thanksgiving feast in plenty of time. The course runs along the Atlantic Ocean down Derby Street in historic Salem and then runs through Winter Island around historic Salem Willows and then back toward the Common.

To register for the Wild Turkey 5 Mile Road Race, please click here. Be sure to also “Like” the race on Facebook by clicking here.

Circle of Flags Veteran’s Day 5 Mile Run

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Registration is now open for the Circle of Flags Veteran’s Day 5 Mile Run which will be held in Norton, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 12th. I have run several races on this five mile course and the race director does a remarkable job putting on a great race and this is one five miler you won’t want to miss.

Celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday, Veteran’s Day and our Nation and Military Service Flags with this five mile run or two mile walk at the Fillmore-Nason VFW #8049 in Norton. The five miler has one of the most attractive entry fees around with registration running only $20.00 for the run and $15.00 for the two mile walk. All proceeds help local Norton veterans and surrounding veteran organizations.

Run begins promptly at 9AM with doors opening at 7:30 AM for day of registration. Plenty of onsite parking with indoor facilities and changing area. Course is a loop, timed and well marked. One (1) water stop. Awards ceremony immediately following final finisher of run and tee- shirts for all participants who pre-regsiter before October 29, 2017.

To register for the race, please click here.

 

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry 5K

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Last weekend in Middleborough, Massachusetts the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry 5K took place on another pristine fall weekend. The weather was clear and was a touch warm for the latter part of September but given the fact the shovels will be out before we know it, no complaints here!

The Food Pantry 5K is a very well-organized race that does a great job raising funds and food for the local food pantry in Middleborough. In addition to the registration fee, runners are encouraged to bring cans of food to the race to help stock the shelves of the food pantry and it was nice to see the boxes at registration filling up quickly!

The race course is a loop 5k course and there were two water stops on the course which came in handy given the warmer temperatures. After a downhill start, runners head into a rolling residential route as they make their way back to the school grounds where the race started. The race finishes on a Heartbreak Hill-esque uphill into the finish line and the calves were working double duty as they headed up the hill and battled against the heat. A young lad tossing his cookies on the hill made for a quick mental hurdle to get past but I finished the race one foot in front of the other and did alright battling up the hill.

I finished the Food Pantry 5K with a time of 25:23 or 8:10/miles.