Registration is now open for the 2nd Annual Foxboro Cares 5K. This race will be held on Saturday, June 1st in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The Foxborough Cares 5K is a collaboration of efforts from community volunteers who wanted to continue a long-standing, beloved tradition of gathering to run for a cause on the first Saturday of June each year. The proceeds of this 5k will benefit 3 local non-profits:

• The Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center at the Orpheum run by a non-profit organization whose mission is to keep our theater vibrant for the community.
• ConfiKids, a non-profit that builds kids confidence by providing financial support for recreational, enrichment, sports and arts programs to families with financial challenges.
• The Foxborough Police Relief Association who provides scholarships and relief funds to community residents and programs.

The first 200 registered runners will receive a commemorative t-shirt so don’t delay and register for this great community-focused road race today!

To register for the 2nd Annual Foxborough Cares 5K please click here. Be sure to also “Like” the race on Facebook by clicking here.

A rainy spring morning greeted locals early yesterday morning before the rain gave way to an absolutely perfect afternoon. It was a quick shot over to nearby Raynham, Massachusetts for the Raynham Knights of Columbus 5 Miler where the spring rain and a touch of humidity in the air made for a good springtime run!

For those familiar with the Colonial Road Runners Monday night fun runs, this race took runners on a reverse course featuring sections of that run and then an added couple of additional neighborhoods, as well. The course itself had a somewhat gradual uphill grade to it and the King Phillip Road hill was in the final mile of the race which made for a very solid uphill run as you hit the mile four marker which then gave way to a slightly downhill finish in the last mile.

Felt decent on the course but definitely could have used a tad thinner of a rain coat as by the time I was around 3.5 miles in the heat could certainly be felt. It was only the high 50’s but the humidity and rain added a different element to the run I battled through. Overall, pleased with my time at the race finishing with a gun time finish of 41:11, good for 8:14/miles.

Post-race, runners are welcome to stick around for a full pancake breakfast. I picked up a banana, water and some cranberry juice and then made my way to a coffee shop for post-run coffee!

This year’s West Island 5K will be held on Sunday, April 28th at 11:00 AM and this is one race you don’t want to miss out on! The West Island 5K is a great, fast 5K that has an amazing course and a great local feel to it and the organizers do an amazing job putting on a really nice run year in and year out.

The race takes place in the West Island section of the coastal town of Fairhaven, Massachusetts and the course is USA Track and Field Certified featuring a mostly flat and fast loop throughout scenic West Island. Runners take off on a fast and downhill start and a sharp uphill incline into the finish line adds a really nice challenge into the race.  Each mile will be marked and a water station will be fully stocked at the 1.5-mile point. Throughout the course, local residents line the route particularly at the finish line cheering runners into the finish.

In addition to running a really nice course, runners can feel good about supporting a great cause when registering for the race as all proceeds go to the Fairhaven High School Cross Country program and to the non-profit, Strive and Achieve.

I have run the West Island 5K a couple times and highly recommend the race. For a previous race recap, click here.

Be sure to give a “Like” to the West Island 5K on Facebook by clicking here to keep up to date with race day details and additional information.

To register for the West Island 5K, please click here.

It was a quick trip a few towns over yesterday morning to Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts for the Athletes Crush Cancer 5K.

Saturday morning brought cold, windy temperatures with a dusting of snow to the region and though Sunday was supposed to warm up a little bit the 10AM race start was sunny but still had a touch of the cold and windy air lingering around. That said, for March it was still pretty decent so long sleeves and shorts were in order making my way out onto the course.

The race took place completely on the grounds of Stonehill College and weaved runners throughout campus for the 3.1 mile race. There was a healthy mix of flat roads and a couple inclines mixed into the course for good measure. The course seemed to move along at a nice pace, likely thanks in part to the Stonehill track members who helped keep an early fast pace.

The race was organized by Stonehill College field hockey player MacKenzie Greenberg who told an absolutely amazing story about her own battle with cancer before the race kicked off. Greenberg has done some amazing things while battling cancer ranging from playing college level field hockey, writing a book and starting her own non-profit and deserves a tremendous amount of praise for organizing such a great race!

A good morning for running and a nice pace at the Athletes Crush Cancer 5K with a finishing time of 24:12, good for 7:49/miles. Always nice to run a great race in support of a great cause!

 

Readers of The Running Griffin are being offered an exclusive deal on the new wearable bluetooth audio speakers from Zulu Audio.

Zulu Audio is offering all readers a discount off their wearable bluetooth speakers! These speakers typically sell for $99 but friends of The Running Griffin can purchase these speakers for $59 when using the discount code PG2019 at checkout.

Wearable speakers are much safer than headphones, and they are more convenient than a standalone speaker. The Zulu Audio speakers create a really enjoyable portable surround sound that is great if you are wanting to listen to music but still be aware of your surroundings. Also, the speakers rest on your shoulders right near your ears, and they use directional sound, so you do not have to blast them loud and bother other people around you.

To purchase your Zulu Audio speakers at the discounted rate, please click here and be sure to use code PG2019 to save $40!