Though I live about 15 minutes away from Borderland State Park in North Easton, Massachusetts I have never run through there. Borderland spans through three different towns (Easton, Sharon and Mansfield) and is a remarkably well maintained state park operated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Today’s race was the Shining Star Turkey Trot, an inaugural race to benefit Shining Stars, Inc. The run took runners through a beautiful trail system that was packed down and of a smooth trail consistency rather than one riddled with rocks and roots. The course was about as scenic for a fall race as you can get with the run going through autumnal leaves on the ground, a crispness to the air that reminded you that it was November and a stretch of the race along a body of water with the fall sun glistening off of it.

The race was billed as a 5k but to my pleasant surprise official distance was 3.42 miles. This made me feel better since out on the course it seemed longer than a 5k and when I saw my time I was a little surprise as I felt as though I ran a pretty good race. I ran the 3.42 miles with a time of 26:39 or 7:48/miles. My time was good enough for a fifth place overall finish and I ended up winning a Road ID for my placing.

About Shining Stars, Inc.

Shining Stars, Inc., is an organization dedicated to providing services for individuals with multiple handicaps and to cultivate each individuals potential using both traditional and unique methods.

Shining Stars Inc., is a pioneer in the area of special education and rehabilitation focusing on each individual’s strengths and abilities instead of their differences.

Our long term goal is to develop a safe and accepting place for individuals with handicaps to: 1) learn every day skills; 2) work with occupational, physical, and speech therapists; 3) work with teachers both inside and outside the Shining Stars establishment; 4) create a comfortable environment which allows the individual to flourish in their capabilities.

With an abundance of residential neighborhoods and sprawl-style commercial developments sprouting up across the South Shore, it is good to know that there is an active non-profit organization seeking to protect open space from development.

The Wildlands Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving land and preserving the natural heritage of Southeastern Massachusetts. We work to permanently protect and steward important habitats and landscapes, including woodlands and fields, ponds, coastal areas, agricultural lands, and river systems.

The Wildlands Trust has started a new Trailrunners program which features casual runs and walks through land that the Trust has worked to preserve as open space. This is a great way to highlight some of the beautiful open space land around the South Shore and today’s run was at the Great River Preserve in Bridgewater. The Great River Preserve is 125 acres of preserved land that abuts the Taunton River. These run walks are free and open to the public and are a great way to enjoy the outdoors. There’s no clock to time your finish, no competition involved; just good old fashion running on some beautiful and scenic trails!

To keep up to date about upcoming runs, please click here.

 

 

Fall was certainly in the air this crisp November morning as I made way to Norton, MA for the 1 Step Closer 2 Home 5k. This was the inaugural year for the 5k and the group that put the race together did an absolutely remarkable job.

The race started and finished at the New Testament Baptist Church and ran through residential roads near the church. The race course was a red and orange tree-lined course that had a good amount of rolling hills from start to finish but since it was an out and back in the back of your mind while working up the uphills you could relish heading back down them shortly. The race had good support along the course with water stops and miles 1 and 2 and walkers also went out on the 5k course about 30 minutes before the run so as you passed by the walkers they were able to give you a cheer.

I finished the 1 Step Closer 2 Home 5k with a time of 23:20 for 7:30/miles.

About 1 Step Closer 2 Home

I met with the race director Stacy prior to the race and she told me that several adopted children and adults registered to run today’s race.

1 Step Closer 2 Home is an adoption development program that works to ensure that this dream becomes a reality for all children.  One way it does this is through an Adoption Assistance Fund.  This is new to their program.  Starting in 2012, prospective adoptive families will be able to file an application with 1 Step Closer 2 Home for financial assistance with their adoption expenses.

Another way is their support of Casa Bernabe orphanage in Guatemala.  They send a mission team to the field each year to help the orphanage with a list of projects. 

If you are in need of a new pair of running shoes, here is a 40% coupon good at Reebok for next week! Just click the link below to print your Friends and Family Discount.

FriendsandFamilyCoupon

Mrs. Running Griffin checking in from the running trails here. As Kevin was previously booked to go and run a race in Fall River on Sunday, I was off to Stonehill College in Easton, MA for the James Wright Memorial 5k.

Held on the campus of Stonehill College, the James Wright Memorial 5k was a remarkably well organized inaugural race with over 250 runners and walkers taking part in the event. The course was a really fair running route with a hill mixed in around mile 1 and another near mile 2 and the racing took place for the most part on paved roads throughout the college campus. Perfect racing weather for a 5k with the crisp autumn air matching the aesthetic charm of a New England road race complete with trees changing leaves and the fall really setting in.

Post-race refreshments included oranges and water and the Yasso frozen yogurt truck provided a nice post-race treat!

The race was held in memory of James Wright and the proceeds from the race went to The James Wright Memorial Fund. James died of a heart attack at home on February 12, 2011 at the age of 25. James grew up in nearby Stoughton, MA and was involved in athletics including football and baseball. About a year before James passed away, he became involved in saving pit bulls from being euthanized. The James Wright Memorial Fund will provide financial assistance to a college bound student athlete from Stoughton and will continue to save defenseless dogs from being euthanized. In 2011, Sean O’Malley was presented the scholarship and is currently attending the University of Maine and seven pit bulls were placed in a permanent home this year.

I finished the 5k race with a time of 34:12 or 11:01/miles. I hope this race takes place again next year as I certainly would love to run it again!