Today it was down to Kingston, Massachusetts for the Moving Heels for Meals on Wheels 5K. This race was held to support the Meals on Wheels program organized by Old Colony Elder Services.

Though we have been graced with some warmer weather of late and tomorrow is the first day of Spring, this morning there was a coolness to the air that served as a precursor to the snow that we are supposed to get later tonight. The conditions for the race were ideal with the sun shining but the chill in the air preventing you from overheating while on the course.

The race was directed by South Shore Race Management and started at Silver Lake Regional High School. The course was well marked with signs and volunteers along the way and the Kingston Police Department assisted with traffic control at the cross roads runners needed to get across. There was a water stop about half-way into the race course that was also manned by volunteers from Old Colony Elder Services.

An excellent course greeted runners for the 5K race. Once runners made their way through some of the grounds of Silver Lake, it was then across the street into a residential neighborhood. A quick loop through that neighborhood then took runners back onto a main road that was a pleasant little downhill grade. Runners then tackled another looping residential street that had a good little incline just before the 2 mile marker. Making our way back onto the main road, the downhill that was so pleasant in the earlier part of the race climbed ever so slightly as runners made their way back into the high school grounds.

I finished the race with an overall time of 23:41, good for 7:38/miles and a 3rd Place Overall finish! I was awarded a medal and a gift certificate for Marathon Sports as the prize for coming in third. A great morning for running and a really nice, little race!

 

Last Sunday it was down to New Bedford, Massachusetts for the Ireland 5K sponsored by Guinness. This 5K took place immediately in downtown New Bedford, an iconic fishing town on the Southeastern coast of Massachusetts. The course takes runners on a loop course through a fish-packing and rather industrial section of New Bedford but runners could not have asked for a better day of running.

The race course is remarkably flat and allows runners to loosen out the legs on the course. The road is mostly closed to traffic and volunteers and the New Bedford Police Department do a nice job patrolling the course and ensuring runners are safe along the way. There is a water stop at around mile marker 1.25 and allows runners to grab water on both the out and back stretch of the race.

After the race, runners make their way back to Slainte, a great Irish pub steps away from the finish line where a nice selection of craft beers allowed runners to rehydrate properly.

I finished the Ireland 5K with a time of 24:01, good for 7:44/miles.

 

Registration is now open for the Level Renner 10K which will be held on July 17, 2016 in the historic and scenic DW Field Park in Brockton, Massachusetts. Registration for this race is only $10 thru March 14th and only $15 from March 15th through April 30th. For that low entry fee, pre-registered runners get a shirt and a free subscription to the Level Renner magazine.

The Level Renner Road Race 10K was born out of the desire to provide an excellent racing experience for competitive and recreational runners alike. For competitive runners, this race is first and foremost a competition and the LVL10K is determined to give its regional and elite athletes the best experience possible and the recognition that they deserve. This event will not be a carnival with the race as an afterthought. The race and the competition are the focal point. For recreational runners, our goal is to inspire and motivate you to give your best effort. We want to provide you with an outstanding racing experience. As such, The LVL10K is a USATF sanctioned event

Runners will love running through the DW Field course as it affords them a great running course that is for the most part relatively flat with a couple, quick challenging inclines mixed in with the most notable one coming at the Tower Hill. Having run this course for other races in the past, DW Field will not disappoint particularly as you are running alongside the water on a nice summer day.

The race donates a portion of proceeds from the race to running related charities focused on helping build youth running programs.

To register for the Level Renner 10k, please click here. You can also “Like” the race on Facebook by clicking here and can follow Level Renner on Twitter here.

On May 15th please join me at the Race 4 Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts and help raise funds for ALS research!

The Race 4 Research 5K & Walk will be held in Technology Square, Cambridge, on Sunday, May 15th. The event will feature a 5K road race, a 4-mile awareness walk and wheelchair ride, food, music, and fun! All proceeds benefit the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS.net), the first and largest nonprofit biotech focused 100 percent on ALS research. The event will begin and end outside the Institute’s full-scale lab space in Cambridge.

The Start and Finish line at the Technology Square Courtyard offers participants refreshments from local restaurants and family activities. When participants are not out on the course they can relax in the sunshine and enjoy food and entertainment throughout the day.

All proceeds benefit the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS.net), the first and largest nonprofit biotech focused 100 percent on ALS research. Founded in 1999, the Institute brings together 30 industry-trained scientists with experience discovering drugs and bringing them to market. Led by people living with the disease and their families, we understand the urgent need to slow and stop this terrible disease. For more information about how your participation impacts our work, visit www.als.net.

To register for the Race 4 Research 5K, please click here. Be sure to also “Like” the race on Facebook by clicking here. I look forward to seeing you in Cambridge on May 15th as we run to help find a cure for ALS!

Runners will want to be sure to sign up for updates for the Roller Coaster Race at The Great Escape Resort in Lake George, New York. Last year I participated in the Roller Coaster Race in Western Massachusetts and the race was a unique, different racing experience.

The Roller Coaster Race at The Great Escape will take place on July 16, 2016 and features both a 10K and 5K option for runners. Run USATF-sanctioned races on a scenic course through the park and around and under some of their world famous coasters. Post-race refreshments and award ceremony follow the races.

Not a runner? You can ride your way to 5K on roller coasters and win a medal. You’ll get a wristband to track your coaster rides throughout the day, and anyone riding a total distance of 5K wins a Roller Coaster Ride custom medal!

All runners participating in the Roller Coaster Race will receive a one-day pass to The Great Escape Resort to be used on race day.

Sign up to receive updates about The Roller Coaster Race by clicking here. Once registration is open you will be notified.