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.

42nd Annual Distance Classic: Marshfield 10 Miler

On August 21, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The Marshfield Road Runners are pleased to announce that they will be hosting their 42nd Annual Distance Classic with some exciting changes this year. Formerly known as the Marshfield Road Runners 20K and taking place in late August the event will now be known as the Marshfield 10 Miler and takes place on Sunday September 13.

Join runners from across the region for a classic, old school New England Road Race on a fair, but challenging route. Cash prizes and running gift cards for overall and age group winners and a post race celebration at The Tavern in Marshfield. Look us up on Facebook and register through RaceWire.

Registration https://racewire.com/register.php?id=5178 and check the race out on Facebook www.facebook.com/MarshVegas10.

10 Miles on the Lexington Battle Road

On August 9, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Thanks to my buddy Fitzy for meeting me on the Lexington Battle Road for a 10 miler yesterday morning. The Lexington Battle Road is a historic site situated within the Minute Man National Historic Park which is a beautiful expanse of paths winding along and makes for some dynamite running.

We met up at the Hartwell Tavern parking lot in Lincoln and started off on the Battle Road for 10 miles. Fortunately we started at 8 AM and there is nice shade cover for a good chunk of the run which helped keep the way moderately cool. Hartwell Tavern is a restored 18th century home and tavern. It sits on a beautifully restored section of the actual “Battle Road.” It was here at the time of the battle on April 19, 1775 and is what we call a witness house.

As you run through the Battle Trail, remnants of the American Revolution inclusive of properties, grave markers and more keep you interested as you make your ten mile journey along the Battle Road.

RHS Dog Dash 2015

On July 29, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open for the RHS Dog Dash 2015, a 5K race to support the Rockland High School Hockey Team in Rockland, Massachusetts. The race takes place on August 22nd at 9AM and is a great way to get an early morning summer run in and beat the midday heat all while supporting a great cause.

High school athletics is always a great mission to support as the importance of balancing education with extra-curricular activities is something that every student should have the opportunity to participate in. Though my hockey career was always of the street hockey variety, building the foundations of teamwork, discipline and cooperation on the ice are something we all can support.

T-Shirts are guaranteed for all participants that register onine. Awards for overall winners will be provided and there will be raffles to partake in race day, as well!

Top register for the RHS Dog Dash 2015, please click here. Hope to see a lot of runners at the RHS Dog Dash 5K supporting Rockland Hockey!

Register Today for the Roller Coaster Race at Six Flags New England

On July 24, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Join The Running Griffin at the Roller Coaster Race to be held at Six Flags New England just outside of Springfield, Massachusetts on Sunday, September 6th. For less than the cost of a theme park ticket, you can run either the 10k or 5k race and spend the day at Six Flags New England after the race!

The Roller Coaster race registration includes a park ticket and parking along with the race entry and all runners will receive a tech shirt and a finisher medal at the end of the race. The races kick off nice and early at 7:30 AM so you can make a nice day out of running and enjoying an amazing theme park. Runners will tackle a USATF-sanctioned scenic course through Six Flags New England and around and under some of their world famous coasters. Post-race refreshments and award ceremony follow the races.

To register for the race, please click here and be sure to note during the registration process when asked how you heard about the race that you saw it on The Running Griffin!

Please be sure to also check out the Roller Coaster Race’s Facebook page by clicking here and follow them on Twitter by clicking here.

Narragansett Summer Running Festival Half-Marathon

On July 17, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Is there anything better than cracking open a nice cold beer on a hot summer day? I submit not. But how does a beer taste on a hot summer day after having just run a half-marathon? Well, let me tell you.

On Sunday it as just a skip away to Easton, Massachusetts for the Narragansett Summer Running Festival Half-Marathon. The festival took place on the grounds of Stonehill College and featured a 5K and 10K race offering on Saturday with the half-marathon reserved for Sunday. In the past, all three races took place on the same day therefore splitting up the events was a great way to bring more people to the run and have better logistics around the weekend.

Though the half-marathon kicked off nice and early, last weekend was the hottest weekend of the summer and the heat did not disappoint. The course took runners through residential roads of Easton for the most part and part of the course was through trails of the Natural Resource Trust’s Sheep Pasture. The heat was certainly noticeable on the course but the race directors did a nice job ensuring that there was plenty of water and Gatorade on the course for runners. Right around Mile 9 I passed a snake in the middle of the road who met his maker likely due to some heat related issue and for a brief moment I thought, “Why couldn’t I be that snake, at least the race would be over for me.” But I continued on knowing that the finish line was in the near future.

At the end of the race, runners make their way back onto the absolutely beautiful Stonehill College campus through the roads of the college and a brief half-lap on the track around the football field.

The final stretch of the half-marathon takes runners up a hill that is quite steep and particularly painful given its placement around 12.9 miles into the half. But the booming voice of the announcer coupled with fans cheering, a band playing and the wafts of Narragansett beer floating through the air make pushing it into the finish line all the better.

Certainly not my best half-marathon time but due to the weather this was more of a survival sort of run with getting to the finish line being the main goal. I finished with a time of 2:10:58 or 9:56/miles. The past few years this race has featured some hot conditions but that’s part of the challenge. Let’s see what next year brings.