The Running Griffin is Heading Back to Buffalo!

On December 23, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

I am proud to announce that I will be heading back to Buffalo, New York to take part in the 2015 Buffalo Marathon! As many of you know, I participated in the 2013 Buffalo Marathon and the marathon from start to finish was one of the finest races I have participated in.

The course has changed since I last ran the Buffalo Marathon and I look forward to tackling the city once again. The new course features a new relatively flat and fast course, great volunteer support and a scenic view of downtown’s waterfront and its major landmarks. The course has been designed for our athletes to enjoy views of Lake Erie, LaSalle Park, First Niagara Center Home of the Buffalo Sabres, Forest Lawn Cemetery, parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and many other Buffalo highlights.

This year, the Buffalo Marathon has partnered with Team RWB (Red, White & Blue) to help in celebrating veterans on Memorial Day. Buffalo is providing the venue allowing chapters from across the country to gather, share stories and ultimately compete with one another chapter against chapter for bragging rights. Runners can register to take part in the Team RWB Challenge by clicking here.

This year’s race will certainly take on a new meeting as the race will be held in memory of race director Tom Donnelly, who passed away suddenly this year at the age of 61. Donnelly and I collaborated together in marketing the 2013 Buffalo Marathon through The Running Griffin and it is clear by the outpouring of online support he was a running icon in the Buffalo community.

If you are interested in heading to Buffalo with me on Memorial Day weekend in 2015, please be sure to register for the race today by clicking here. Jet Blue offers direct service from Boston at a great rate and you will absolutely love the City of Buffalo! Stay tuned to The Running Griffin for more updates about the 2015 Buffalo Marathon!

MA FOP Lodge #28 New Year’s Day Frozen 5 Miler

On December 21, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open and will be closing soon for the MA FOP Lodge #28 3rd Annual New Year’s Day Frozen Five Mile Run!

Where can you go on a New Year’s Day Morning, take a five mile run, support the Fraternal Order of Police (a charity organization) and have an ALL YOU CAN EAT breakfast afterwards for only $25.00? Come join MA. FOP Lodge #28 for their 2015 3rd Annual Frozen Five Mile Run. Trophy for first place overall Male and Female winner. Awards given to first and second place Male and Female in six (6) different age categories, 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60+. Water station and timing provided. T-Shirts will be provided to all PARTICIPANTS. Bring a guest for breakfast at no extra charge!!! (Just not the whole family!!!!) Good news, if you register online you will be scoring a long-sleeve tee-shirt perfect to keep warm in for your winter runs.

You can register for this race online by clicking here. I hope to see you there!

Apera Bags: A Healthier Bag

On December 19, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The Running Griffin is pleased to announce sponsorship from Apera Bags!

Apera officially launched in June 2012 by industry veterans Andrew Youngs and Frank Steed, who together possess over three decades of experience in the retail, bags and luggage business. With their deep industry expertise, Youngs and Steed saw a void in the sports bag market. Most importantly, today’s sport bags are unhealthy – not protecting athletes from odor and bacteria. All Apera bags are protected by groundbreaking antimicrobial product protection that resists the formation of bacterial odor on both the inside and outside of the bag. Apera bags’ ventilated compartments, wipeable linings and washable inserts, ensure your bag stays clean, odor-free and most importantly, healthy.

Apera deserves a huge amount of credit for their community service principles. Apera will donate one bag to a Special Olympics athlete for every three bags they sell!

I’ve been using the Apera Duffel bag for a couple of months now and couldn’t be happier. The bag has a ton of room in it and is absolutely one of the best accessories a runner can ask for. The bag has plenty of room for a change of clothing, extra pair of sneakers, towel and toiletries if heading to the gym and maintains a clean and fresh nature to it. The bag has special pockets for your Iphone, Ipad or any other device and the special padding will ensure that your sweaty, wet gear won’t damage the devices.

Be sure to check out and support Apera Bags today and tell them The Running Griffin sent you. You can also like them on Facebook by clicking here and follow them on Twitter @aperabags.

The Frosty Five in Mansfield, MA

On December 11, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The Frosty Five in Mansfield, Massachusetts has a way of living up to its name. Sponsored by Marathon Sports, the Frosty Five is a great 5K race that benefits the Mansfield High School Cross Country teams. The race time temperatures were downright cold and a steady wind really helped add some added chill to the air before runners made their way off of the starting line.

The race takes place in an office park for the most part and the course is quite flat. The very slight decline and incline mixed into the race is barely noticeable however comes about midway into the out-and-back course. Adding to the run was a flock of wild turkeys alongside the road curiously starting at all the crazies running by in such cold temperatures. A water stop was present at the half-way turning point. Huge kudos go out to the Mansfield Police Department who meticulously patrolled the course ensuring runners’ safety at the handful of intersections mixed into the course.

Prior to race time I checked how my time looked from the last time I did this race while trying to stay warm inside our vehicle and when I saw how well I did I thought to myself, “Not sure I’ll be beating that time today.” However, once out on the course I felt quite good and the running legs felt strong and loose. I actually did beat my course record for this race and finished with a time of 22:16, good for 7:10/miles.

Tiger Turkey Chase in Easton, Massachusetts

On November 28, 2014 By The Running Griffin2 Comments

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! Yesterday presented New England with a cold and crisp Thanksgiving Day with some parts of Massachusetts receiving several inches of snow and icy conditions. The South Shore received merely a dusting that coated the grass but heavy rains led to some slick streets and black ice on corners. Yesterday morning, I made my way to Oliver Ames High School located in Easton, Massachusetts for the Tiger Turkey Chase to ensure prior to Operation Eat as Much Food as Possible I actually was able to get some caloric burn in.

The Tiger Turkey Chase is a 5 mile run and the cold temperatures didn’t keep any runners away as the crowd was an impressive showing for Thanksgiving morning. The race started right at 8AM and at race time most of the black ice had meted as the sun just started to warm things up a little bit but some crosswalks and corners still needed a bit of care taken when crossing over them.

The course for the Tiger Turkey Chase starts and finishes at Oliver Ames High School and makes its way through the neighborhoods abutting the school. The course was quite noticeably hilly with what seemed to be most of the hills going in the upward direction than downward. Right at the 4.5 mile mark there is a dramatically sharp incline as you make your way back into the school grounds that as you make your way up only makes you realize how much better that pumpkin pie is going to taste later on in the day.

The race course was nicely staffed by high school students and other volunteers keeping each turn marked and ensuring runners were kept safe. A water stop was available at the midway point.

Making my way into the finish line, a nice crowd of supporters was at the finish line cheering each runner into the chute and adding to the race atmosphere. I finished the Tiger Turkey Chase with a time of 38:48, good for 7:46/miles. The race was a great way to kick off a nice Thanksgiving and is one I would gladly recommend for future years.

The Tiger Turkey Chase benefits the Oliver Ames High School Cross Country teams.