I’m adding a new half-marathon to the running docket this year and will be venturing out to Western Massachusetts for the 6th Annual WMass Mother’s Day Half-Marathon. The race takes place on Sunday, May 8th and kicks off at 8AM.

The race director notes, ” Western Mass is beautiful in the Spring! The grass is green, the leaves are newly yellowish-green, tulips and daffodils are popping… the place is coming alive! It makes everyone want to go outside and walk, jog, skip and run… EVERYBODY loves Spring!”

What better way to kick off a spring day than to tackle a half-marathon? The race takes place in Whately, Massachusetts and looks to be a great run. Testimonials on the race’s website note that the course and logistical support throughout the half-marathon was nothing short of brilliant and I look forward to competing in this half-marathon this year.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Cancer Connection. For more information about the Cancer Connection, please click here.

For more information about the WMass Mother’s Day Half-Marathon and for details on registering for the race, please click here. Be sure to also “Like” their Facebook page here.

Registration is now open for Trav’s Trail Run and for runners looking to tackle a great trail run and take some time off the pavement this is one race you are not going to want to miss.

Trav’s Trail Run will take place on May 22, 2016 at 10:30 AM. The race takes place at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts and is a three mile trail run. In addition to a great trail run, age division winners of the race can take home the coveted handmade trail mugs.

All race profits from this race will help fund scholarships for scholar/athletes at: Newburyport High School, Green Mountain Running Camp, RRCA Road Scholars & Zap Fitness. This race is dedicated to Travis Landreth, (May 24, 1976 – January 12, 2001). Landreth was a Newburyport native and 1994 Newburyport High School graduate and runner.

To register for Trav’s Trail Run, please click here. For more information about the race, you can also “Like” the race on Facebook here.

 

On Sunday it was the annual pilgrimage down to Bourne, Massachusetts for the Weary Traveler Road Race. This road race is a great $12 bargain of a road race that comes complete with a tough 4.87 mile course, hot chowder and clam fritters post-run and an all around great run early in the new year.

The race is a challenging 4.87 mile route that has some pretty good hills mixed into the run. In prior years there has been the added challenge of some cold and icy roads but this year the weather was great for running; a bit of a winter chill in the air but an all around perfect January day for running.

I finished the 2016 Weary Traveler Road Race with a time of 39:27, good for 8:05/miles.

Proceeds from the race benefits the Bourne Conservation Trust. Please check out this organization’s website for information on the amazing work they perform.

 

On New Year’s Day it was up nice and early to head over to Norton, Massachusetts for the 4th Annual FOP Post #28 Frozen Five Mile Run. This race is a great five mile race perfect for kicking off the new year in stride. The race is an excellent, rolling course through Norton and registration comes complete with a tee-shirt and a hot breakfast awards ceremony after the race.

I have run the Frozen Five Mile run a couple of previous years and this year’s race featured some of the finest weather you could ever ask for on a January 1st race morning. Long sleeves, a hat and gloves complemented shorts for the run and the conditions were excellent. Not a bad way to start off the running year!

I felt pretty strong the first half of the race but admittedly probably went out a bit too fast, particularly in light of having a celebratory New Year’s Eve Double IPA of 10% the night before. About half-way through the race my pace was noticeably dialing back some. I felt okay throughout the race but knew I wasn’t at the top of my game and had a difficult time having the legs loosen up in the second half of the race.

I finished the 4th Annual Frozen Five Mile with a time of 40:27, good for a pace of 8:05/miles. Not a bad overall time to kick off the New Year and it was great to start the 2016 running year off with a well-organized and enjoyable five miler!

This April 24th, please join me in the West Island section of Fairhaven, Massachusetts for the West Island 5K. I competed in this race back in 2013 and am looking forward to heading back to the race again this year!

The West Island 5K is a great race through the beachfront West Island neighborhood and the race director does an amazing job putting on a top-notch race. If you are looking for a 5K that is fast, flat, and family-friendly then the West Island 5K is the one for you! The course features an out and back course that starts with a quick downhill and ends with a challenging uphill to the finish. Plan an escape to southeastern Massachusetts and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic ocean views during the race.

All proceeds go to the Fairhaven High School Cross Country program and to the non-profit, Strive and Achieve.

You can register for the West Island 5K by clicking here. Please also be sure to check out the race’s Facebook page here.

See you on April 24th at the starting line!