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.

2nd Annual Flag Day 5K in Woonsocket, R.I.

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The American Legion Post #85 is holding their 2nd Annual Flag Day 5K on Saturday,  June 11th.

The race director is currently running a special right now where anyone who signs up before the end of the month will be reimbursed $5.00 on race day! That means your registration fee is only a $15.00 registration fee and includes awards, t-shirt and a post run breakfast!

The course is a 5K rolling loop and is very well marked. The race features indoor facilitles with on site parking. After you run, runners are invited inside the American Legion Hall to enjoy a sausage and egg breakfast which is included with your registration fee. Proceeds from this event will be donated to “Operation Stand-Down” which provides homes for our local veterans and “Vittles for Vet’s”which is a local organization which provides food for hungry veterans.

To register for this race, please click here.

Race Recap: West Island 5K

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Thankfully today’s race kicked off at 11AM which allowed me to take in my 8 year old’s soccer match that started at 8AM. Perhaps seeing her take the pitch and have a strong game was the motivation I needed to go out and have a good run today!

I left soccer and made my way to Fairhaven, Massachusetts for the West Island 5K. West Island is a great beach community of Fairhaven that has charming homes along the water. The race starts right next to the community center and a general store that sells the essentials needed for beach living.

I ran the West Island 5K in 2013 and many of the memories I had from that race came true again today. The course starts on a very nice downhill trajectory prior to making a left hand turn into residential roads. As runners make their way out to the tower along the water pictured in the medal above, a water stop is present and allows runners to quickly take some water before heading toward the Mile 2 marker. The final mile is a rather gradual climb heading back toward the finish line on this out-and-back course. I remembered when I pulled up to the race that the final .2 miles of the run features that downhill that was so enjoyed on the way out but becomes far more noticeably uphill given there are not as many people around as there were at the start. I put my head down and made my way up the hill and blasted into the finish chute feeling pretty good overall.

I finished today’s West Island 5K with a time of 23:25, good for 7:32/miles. Knowing I felt pretty strong along the course, it was nice to see that hard work pay off as I improved my 2013 time by 22 seconds.

Be sure to “Like” West Island 5K on Facebook by clicking here as this race is a great race you will want to add to your 2017 race schedule.

Join The Running Griffin at the Black Goose Marathon

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Anyone looking for a fall marathon and want to join The Running Griffin on what looks to be a great marathon course? Join me at The Black Goose Marathon in Seekonk, Massachusetts on October 30th for 26.2 miles!

If your looking for a beautiful run throughout the countryside, then this event is for you . This event will have limited traffic so you can enjoy the beauty of the course. The Black Goose Marathon will take you throughout two states (Massachusetts and Rhode Island) and four towns. Prior to the start of the event, runners can stay nice and warm inside if the weather is a little chilly. The finish line will be a stadium style finish and the course will be a certified 26.2 mile course and will serve as a Boston Marathon Qualifier.

The beauty of this race is that it has a reasonable marathon entry fee of just $65 and is sure to be a race you will not want to miss. You can register online for The Black Goose Marathon by clicking here. For those not ready for a full marathon, there is also a half-marathon option available. Please be sure to “Like” the race on Facebook, as well, by clicking here.

I hope to see many of you in Seekonk on October 30th!

 

Register for the Elks Care Elks Share 5K

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Registration is now open for the Franklin Elks Care Elks Share 5K which will be held on Saturday, May 7th in Franklin, Massachusetts.

This event will feature a 5K road race and walk through the local neighborhood with trophies for the top three finishers in various age categories. Refreshments will be provided and tee-shirts will be supplied to all that register online. Following the race will be a FREE pancake breakfast!  Proceeds from the Fourth Annual Elks Care Elks Share Road Race & Walk will be donated to the Franklin Food Pantry, local Wounded Warrior Master Sgt. Joseph Deslauriers and the Fisher House Foundation.

You can register for the Elks Care Elks Share 5K by clicking here and registering online.

Race Details:

– Check-in begins at 8:00 AM in the Franklin Elks Lodge

– Race begins and ends at the Elks (1077 Pond Street, Franklin, MA 02038)

– Indoor facilities

– T-Shirts to all online registered runners and walkers signed up by April 24, 2016 (S-M-L-XL-XXL)

– FREE post-race pancake breakfast!

– Each participant will be professionally timed by RACEWIRE

– Live results can be sent to your smart phone! Results will also be posted and available online.

– Awards will be granted to the top 3 male and female finishers in various age groups

– Water, coffee, bagels, oranges and bananas will be available for registered runners and walkers

– Sponsor tables available at Race Event

– Music, Raffles, and Post Race Celebration!!!!!

– Parking available at the Elks and at the VFW across the street

– The course is mostly flat ending with a roughly ½ mile dash to the finish line

Join Me at the Ironstone Derby 5K & Kentucky Derby Party

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You can celebrate the Kentucky Derby this May at an Andover horse farm, and all the fun will support a great charity. Join The Running Griffin at the Ironstone Derby 5K!

Ironstone Farm in Andover will host the “Ironstone Derby,” an afternoon 5-kilometer charity race-and-walk and barbecue followed by a Kentucky Derby party– all on the day of the Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 7. The party includes a barbecue with ribs, barbecue chicken, pulled pork, hotdogs for kids and more. It benefits the nonprofit work at Ironstone Farm that helps children with special needs, veterans and others.

Register at www.lightboxreg.com/ironstone_2016.

The day starts with a stick-horse race for kids at 4 p.m., followed by the 5K race and walk at 4:30 p.m. and then a barbecue and after-party, all at Ironstone Farm horse farm on Route 133 in Andover, Mass. Some people come just for the party! Eat, play games, win prizes, see our horse-and-rider drill team perform, pick a favorite horse and watch the Kentucky Derby live on a big screen after the race! Lenzi’s of Dracut is expected to serve beer and a Kentucky bourbon drink. A live band and deejay will keep the party going, along with a magician and face painter for kids.

Race day is Saturday, May 7, and the race motto is “Run for the Roses – Stay for the Party!”

The Ironstone Derby 5K is a USATF-certified race. Runners and walkers who sign up by April 15 are guaranteed to receive a free short-sleeve tech shirt. Children 10 and under who run the stick-horse races will receive a free T-shirt. There are fun games and prizes for everyone after the road race.

Entry fees for the 5K are $25 for adults and $20 for youth 12 and younger. The cost is $10 for the kids stick-horse run. The adult 5K price will increase by $5 on April 19. Register at http://www.lightboxreg.com/ironstone_2016. Online registration will end Friday, May 6 at 11 a.m. There will be race-day registration on Saturday. Team registration is encouraged.

Prizes will be awarded for the largest team and the team that is most creatively dressed for the Ironstone Derby — think derby hats! Individual prizes, including Burtons Grill gift certificates and roses will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers. The top 12-and-younger 5K runners also will receive a prize.

The race benefits the nonprofit work of Challenge Unlimited Ironstone Farm, which serves children with special needs, veterans who’ve experienced trauma, people diagnosed with cancer, adults with special needs, teens at risk, elders with memory issues and others. Learn more at www.ironstonefarm.org.