Janji: Run for Another

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ImageAt the runner’s expo at the Providence Marathon, I met Dave who is one of the founders of Janji.

Launched in May 2012 by two college runner, Janji is a Boston based brand of performance running apparel that helps battle the global food and water crisis. Sold in over 80 specialty running stores across the country and online, each piece of apparel provides nutritional medicine, clean water, or seeds for farming through one of the five organizations Janji partners with. Each piece of apparel is designed after a country’s flag and proceeds then help that country. For instance, when a runner buys Janji’s Kenya running shorts it gives a season’s worth of water to a Kenyan family.

On the way to the 2010 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Mike and Dave had an idea: what if they could connect runners around the country to solve one of the world’s most serious problems? By the time they came home from the track meet, Janji was born.

Mike and Dave knew runners like themselves were charitable. But they saw that philanthropic running only begins — and unfortunately ends — on race day. They want Janji to change that. Through Janji’s high performance apparel, runners can fund solutions and raise awareness for the global food and water crisis in a meaningful and lasting way. Now, rather than racing just one day for a cause, runners can give back through everyday training.

Janji’s goal is to create a community dedicated to running for another. That was Mike and Dave’s goal on that bus, and that’s what Janji will always be about.

Check out Janji’s website and support the work they are doing by clicking here. You can also “like” Janji on Facebook by clicking here and follow them on Twitter @RunJanji.

CRR Summer Fun Run Series

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Thanks to Joe Gillis and his team of volunteers from the Colonial Road Runners for putting on last night’s CRR Summer Fun Run Series in Raynham. The weekly Monday night run is a 3.25 mile course that each week allows runners to race against themselves to see the improvements that can be made over the course of the summer. About 90 runners showed up for last night’s run which is hands down the best bargain around costing only $2 per week which includes the timed race, water, Gatorade and even a beer post-race.

Last night certainly felt like summer was upon us with the temperature in the 70’s and humidity at 90%.

I finished last night’s CRR Summer Fun Run Series with a time of 24:43 or 7:36/mile.

(Photo Credit: Bud Morton, Colonial Road Runners)

Evan’s Run 10k

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ImageAs part of the Grand Prix Series for the Thirsty Irish Runners, yesterday it was off to Norwell, Massachusetts for the 13th Annual Evan’s Run. The race features both a 5K run and walk and a 10K run through some beautiful, scenic residential neighborhoods of Norwell. Runners pass by some rather impressive estates and the course is a remarkable terrain of some challenging hills that both allow for some tough climbing but also some downhills where the legs can let loose.

The course is a really well supported 6.2 miles with volunteers at turns, water stops along the way and even a DJ playing some music as you climbed the last hill of the course.

Even though I race the day before and am in the winding down stage of marathon training, I felt relatively good for Evan’s Run and finished with a time of 49:58 which is good for 8:03/miles. My time for last year’s Evan’s Run was 50:38 so it was nice to see some improvement over last year!

About Evan Henry Foundation

The Evan Henry Foundation for Autism is a nonprofit organization that has been established in memory of Evan Henry. Evan was an 11 year old child from Norwell Massachusetts who was diagnosed with autism and who accidentally drowned in July, 2000. Evan’s family and friends would like him to be remembered as a happy and loving child who taught others the true meaning of patience and compassion. Autism occurs in as many as 1 in 500 individuals and interferes with the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Autism is the third most common developmental disability. Through this foundation we intend to accomplish the following goals.

 1. To fund programs and/or projects which will benefit individuals with autism and their families.

2. To promote awareness and education by funding educational programs and research related to autism.

3. To promote financial assistance to those who are caring for an autistic child / family member to improve their level of functioning.

The funds from this foundation will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that provide services to children and families affected by autism or individuals on a case by case basis.

Running with The HUG Foundation of MA at Abington Police 5k

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ImageThis morning I was proud to join the team from The HUG Foundation of MA at the Abington Police Community Partners 5K. The race which starts and finishes at the Abington Police Department raises funds for a variety of local charities and a morning of bright sunshine and perfect temperature made for an absolutely perfect day for running a 5K.

The course is a loop course which brings runners through some predominantly residential streets of Abington. There are a couple of gradual hills mixed into the course but for the most part the race is a flat terrain. Runners raced toward the first mile marker which was on paved roads within a cemetery which made for a humbling run past the headstones marked with American flags on the weekend which celebrates those members in the Armed Services. There was a small section of the race that was on a trail but that tenth of a mile or so led way back to the pavement as runners could pick up speed coming off of the uphill trail run.

The second mile brought runners past the police station where fans cheered runners on and then the runners made a right hand turn on a long, straightaway down a predominantly shaded residential street. A bit of an uphill was mixed in about 2.5 miles into the race but that led to a nice downhill sprint into the 3 mile mark. As runners made their way toward the finish line, a nice crowd of fans cheered loudly as each runner and walker crossed the finish line.

A really good day of running for me today as I finished the race with a time of 22:49 good for 7:22/miles. With a 10k on tap for tomorrow, putting the feet up tomorrow night certainly will be a good decision.

About The HUG Foundation of MA

The HUG Foundation of MA is based out of Abington and has supported the Ace Bailey Children’s Foundation the past two years as Beth Ann and I raised funds for the charity. Alex and Lisa Bezanson are amazing people and have done really tremendous work with The HUG Foundation of MA.

The HUG Foundation was created in 2011 in memory of Linda Harmon, Alex’s sister. The HUG Foundation will be sponsoring various fundraisers and community events that will enable us to help those in need.

Help Us Give to individuals, families and groups; friends and neighbors and those we have yet to meet, whose lives have been touched by illness, accident or financial hardship.

Please visit The HUG Foundation of MA website by clicking here and like them on Facebook by clicking here.

West Bridgewater Senior Class Scholarship Fund 5k Run

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Just one town over, yesterday’s run was the West Bridgewater Senior Class Scholarship Fund 5K run. The run was an out and back course that started and finished at West Bridgewater High School and was a fundraiser for scholarships aimed at helping to defray the costs of college tuition for West Bridgewater students.

The race started on the high school track where runners made one loop and then hit the grass field making their way toward the road. Once on the pavement, the first mile was a rather decent climb up through residential neighborhoods. Though the race was a small, the race course had good volunteer support calling out the splits at each mile and handing out water just past the 1 and 2 mile markers.

Since the race was an out and back course, the same first mile uphill climb gave way to a nice downhill section where the legs could let loose a bit. Crossing back across the same grass field, there was then a 3/4 loop along the track into the finish line.

Overall, I was quite pleased with my run and finished 1st in my age division. With an overall time of 23:25 my pace was a 7:33/mile which comes in at one of my better paces for the season. Given the fact I am in the middle of marathon training, no complaints here!