The final race of the Thirsty Irish Runners Grand Prix Series took place today and it was off to Walter’s Run 5k in West Roxbury, MA. The race starts and finishes at the YMCA in West Roxbury and the race is organized by the Parkway Running Club.

Today was a beautiful winter day out there with race time temperature right around 35 degrees but the sun was shining down on the course. The course is somewhat similar to the summertime Corrib Road Race held right around the corner but the hills are in reverse order. There is a good uphill climb leading into and partway through mile 2 but there is a really nice downhill finish for the race.

Great post-race amenities with both food, beverages and raffles galore were available inside the YMCA.

I ran the race feeling really good out there and finished with a time of 23:46 good for 7:40/miles.

About Walter’s Run

In 2004, PRC re-named the race Walter’s Run (go to  www.WaltersRun.org for details) to honor a very special friend and member, Walter Burgess. Walter passed away suddenly in November 2003 at the age of 40 shortly after having completed the Great Floridian Ironman Triathlon. Walter was an active PRC member, Club Secretary and Newsletter Editor. He was an amazing athlete, forever working out either at the Y, on his bike, or running on the roads. More importantly, Walter was an incredible friend and inspiration. He was always there to run the slower members into the finish line, to organize the marathon long runs or group ski trip, to cheer others on, or to give us a big smile after a training run or race no matter the length.

The Boston Globe Santa fund was one of Walter’s favorite charities that he donated to regularly, even as a child. To more fully demonstrate Walter’s love of community and running, we have expanded the organizations receiving proceeds from Walter’s Run to include the YMCA Reach Out Campaign and a fund to send deserving young runners to running camp using Walter Burgess Scholarships.

When you are running a race the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend in New England there is a pretty strong likelihood that the air will be cool, there could be a flurry or two and the running gear is likely to include perhaps a hat and gloves. However, for this year’s 33rd Talking Turkey 6 Mile Race in Holyoke, MA there was instead some of the finest running weather imaginable.

With temperatures in the mid to upper sixties, the weather for this year’s Talking Turkey is hands down the finest I can remember this race ever having. Shorts and a short sleeve shirt was all that was needed and the warmth of the sun really made for simply ideal running conditions. The Talking Turkey runs along a crushed stone course and the race is an annual must-do-event as the race loops around reservoirs and in terms of scenery is some of the finest you will find on an autumn day. With the leaves changing colors all along the course the running comes easy on this course as you are surrounded by absolutely amazing surroundings.

The race this year was the first time there was a chip timing finish and along the course each mile is marked with a caller yelling out splits. A water station is at about the 3.5 mile mark and a good contingent of supporters cheered runners on as we ran across a little strip of land between two reservoirs. The race finishes with a nice, gradual up-hill finish that ends at the Holyoke Elks Lodge which is pretty nicely packed with fans cheering you into the finish. For a $30 race, the race is an absolute bargain with good post-race food, entertainment, cash bar and long-sleeve technical shirts available to all who pre-registered.

I finished the Talking Turkey 6 Miler with a time of 47:18, good for 7:53/miles. Considering my first mile was an 8:30 due to some congestion of runners along the first mile, I was quite pleased I picked up my pace from miles 2-6 and finished strong up the hill.

Double header weekend for turkey trots and this morning it was off to Norwood for the 25th Annual Norwood Turkey Trot. Though in its 25th year, this year the race featured a new course starting and finishing at the new Norwood High School. The high school itself is a beautifully constructed building and the pre and post-race amenities included stretching, raffle prizes, snacks and music.

The course this year ran toward the St. Timothy Church area in Norwood and featured the infamous Nichols Street hill. Though it was nice to fly down the hill in the beginning part of the race, having to come back up the hill for the finish made for a pretty good push at the end. If you have never done a race and had the pleasure of running the Nichols Street hill, let me know and we can head over for a fun run!

The course overall was pretty hilly and winded through residential neighborhoods. Good course support along the way with the Norwood High football team serving as intersection patrol, each turn marked and having volunteers on it and a water stop just past the mile 2 marker.

Finished the 4 mile Norwood Turkey Trot with a time of 30:35 good for 7:39/miles.

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.