The Brittany Fund for Trauma and Recovery is having a 5K and 10K race event in Devens, MA on April 8, 2017. Brittany Loring was attending Boston College MBA and Law Schools when on April 15, 2013, on her 29th Birthday, she was critically injured at the Boston Marathon bombings. All proceeds from the race will benefit the Brittany Fund which seeks to help trauma survivors with financial support so they can focus on their physical recovery.

While she was hospitalized, Brittany knew that she wanted to give back to others, as she was being helped during that time. As part of her recovery, Brittany had to learn how to walk again. The first few times that she walked without crutches, was at her graduation ceremonies at Boston College, accompanied by standing ovations at each ceremony. Since then, she has worked tirelessly for her foundation and has donated money to many individuals, that have experienced traumatic injuries. Brittany is dedicated to helping others receive the care that they need through her foundation.

To register for the Brittany Fund 5K or 10K, please click here to register online. Our friends from Thirsty Irish Runners are offering a discount code of THIRSTYIRISH you can use to register online to save 10% off your registration fee. The course this year is a fun, flat course and will start at 27 Jackson Road in Devens, Massachusetts and will go throughout the town.

For more information about The Brittany Fund for Trauma and Recovery, please click here to “Like” the fund on Facebook.

Registration is now open for the West Island 5K which will be held in the coastal community of Fairhaven, Massachusetts on April 30th. Having run this race several times in the past I can attest to the fact that this is one race you are not going to want to miss.

The West Island 5K is a great race through the beachfront West Island neighborhood of Fairhaven and the race director does an amazing job putting on a top-notch race. If you are looking for a 5K that is fast, flat and family-friendly then the West Island 5K is the one for you! The course features an out and back course that starts with a quick downhill and ends with a challenging uphill to the finish. Plan an escape to southeastern Massachusetts and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic ocean views during the race.

The race features a pasta dinner the night before the run perfect to take in some carbs before race day. The first 600 registrants for the race will receive a technical race shirt. The course really is the highlight to the race with an amazing uphill sprint into the finish line along a road lined with fans cheering on the runners across the finish line.

All proceeds go to the Fairhaven High School Cross Country program and to the non-profit, Strive and Achieve. Strive and Achieve was established in September 2014 to increase the awareness and opportunities for young Americans in the trade skills and they award scholarships to young men and women with that demonstrated interest

You can register for the West Island 5K by clicking here. Please also be sure to check out the race’s Facebook page here.

Last Sunday was the rescheduled Weary Traveler Road Race in Bourne, Massachusetts and what a difference two weeks can make here in New England. Two weeks ago, the race was  rescheduled due to 16+ inches of snow and wintry conditions that would have proved far too difficult to run in. Fast forward two weeks, the weather was absolutely perfect with all the snow melted and shorts and short-sleeve running shirts perfectly appropriate for many runners.

The perfect race conditions last weekend made for a nice morning of running at a race that continues to be a hidden gem sort of race. The price of the race is one of the most reasonable ones you will find and every runner gets a pair of running gloves and then a post-race feast of clam chowder and clam fritters which pair nicely with a cold pint of brew.

The race is just shy of a five mile course with the official mileage coming in at 4.87 miles. The course can be classified as being moderately challenging with some really nice hills mixed into the route. The course takes runners along some nice beach-front roads along with some residential neighborhoods free of significant traffic since the town of Bourne is a bit more sleepy than it would be in the middle of summer.

Proceeds from the Weary Traveler Road Race benefit both the children’s burn unit at Shriner’s Hospital in Boston and the Bourne Conservation Trust.

I finished the Weary Traveler Road Race with a time of 41:47, good for 8:35/miles.

It’s time to register for the 6th Annual Mick Morgan’s St. Patrick’s 5K which will be held on March 18th.

This is HESSCO’s 6th Annual St. Patrick’s 5K held at Mick Morgan’s Irish Pub on the Sharon/Walpole line in Massachusetts. A beautiful race route, fun venue, awesome long sleeve tech T-shirts and a spirited St. Patrick’s Day celebration are just some of the reasons this race has become so popular! OUR favorite reason is that all proceeds from this race go directly to support HESSCO programs and services! Join us on March 18th and help us continue our mission of delivering over 130,000 Meals on Wheels each year, providing homemaking and home health aide services, advocating for residents in nursing facilities, counseling Medicare recipients on health insurance options and protecting our seniors from neglect and abuse.

In past years, the event has drawn upwards of 800 runners. This year’s event promises to be another fun-filled, festive morning of celebration. Participants and spectators are encouraged to come adorned in their St. Patrick’s Day best!

Since 1977, HESSCO has been supporting the needs of elders, people living with a disability and their caregivers in South Norfolk County. For more information on HESSCO’s programs and services, please visit http://www.hessco.org or call 781-784-4944.

To register for the 6th Annual Mick Morgan’s St. Patrick’s 5K, please click here to register online. Be sure to also “Like” the race’s Facebook page by clicking here.