Bridgewater Police Department 5K

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Yesterday morning was the 2nd Annual Bridgewater Police Department 5K. Even though I am biased since I live in Bridgewater, this race is one of the best 5K races around!

At 8:30 AM the kids 1 mile fun run takes place and our seven year-old daughter tackled the race with an awesome time of 10:17. As a proud dad, I’ll also boast she also scored a hat trick at soccer later in the afternoon!

The 5K race started right at 9AM and the course takes runners away from the police station and on a 3.1 mile loop course of Bridgewater. The Bridgewater Police Department does a great job patrolling the course particularly as runners make their way around the Central Square historic common in downtown Bridgewater. Right past the two mile marker the course takes a gradually uphill path up Cottage Street and then up Fremont Street before making the final sprint into the finish line located at the police station.

Runners all receive a finisher’s medal and the tee-shirts for the race are technical shirts and include a police badge logo and a listing of sponsors including The Running Griffin!

I finished the Bridgewater Police Department 5K with a time of 23:40, good for 7:37/miles.

Be sure to look for next year’s listing for the Bridgewater Police Department 5K; this is a race you definitely want to add to your racing calendar!

Fall Classic 5K in Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Yesterday it was off to Cambridge, Massachusetts for the Fall Classic 5k. This race is part of a series of runs that feature the same 5k route for running followed by one of the better post-race block parties you can find around the area.

For teams that are able to register 20 or more runners, a VIP tent inclusive of some great Jack’s Abby beer was made available and there were at least 20 VIP tents present showing just how well organized and attended the race series is. The course is a notably flat route through Cambridge where runners pass bystanders, restaurants, tourists, motorists and even a dude waving a Bernie Sanders for President sign cheering, “You can catch the person in the lead.” Fitting, for sure.

The race is rather packed along the way and makes for some nice running with friends. The first mile was in the sun but then after making a left hand turn about half-way through a rather shade-lined roadway made for some better running conditions. There is a water stop at the half-way point of the race.

I finished the Cambridge Fall Classic 5k with a time of 23:56, good for 7:42/miles. A great day of running followed by some nice time spent with friends while enjoying a cold, craft beer. I’ll call that an excellent running day any day of the week!

Roadnoise Vest: Sound Running and Riding

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The Running Griffin is proud to support the Kickstarter campaign for the Roadnoise Vest.

A few years ago on an overnight relay the founders of the Roadnoise Vest were participating that banned the use of in-ear headphone/earbuds and allowed only devices with speakers that sit below your neck. Runners on the team came up with jerry-rigged solutions like speakers attached to shirts & jog bras. Combined with safety vests they added additional components, batteries, weight, wires and hassle.

This led to the development of Roadnoise. When they tested their first model they were hoping to find a solution to a specific race issue. What they discovered was an entirely new and pleasant way to enjoy our runs, day or night. With integrated speakers right below your ears you have the sound you want without eliminating the sounds around you.

  • Does not block surrounding sounds, allowing you to be more aware of potentially dangerous situations.
  • Comfortable, with nothing in your ears. No dangling cords to interfere with your movement or pull on your ears.

To learn more about the Roadnoise Vest and for information on how you can support the Kickstarter campaign and land your own Roadnoise Vest, please click here.

Register for the Discover the Woods 5K Trail Run

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Registration is now open for the Discover the Woods 5k Trail Run. This trail run will be held on Saturday, October 3rd in Cohasset, Massachusetts.

The race takes place at Holly Hill Farm, a certified organic vegetable, flower and herb farm located at 236 Jerusalem Road, Cohasset. The farm has a nonprofit education center onsite that uses the resources of the farm as its outdoor classroom to teach about sustainable agriculture and eating healthy food grown in a way that protects the ecosystem. Proceeds from the race benefits the Frank H. White Scholarship Fund that makes summer camp experiences and school field trips possible for students whose families need financial assistance. Please come early to explore the barnyard that includes historic buildings and the farm animals – a horse, pony, 2 adorable goats, a bunny and many chickens. The farm stand opens at 11 am so please plan a visit to stock up on locally grown organic vegetables, flowers, herbs and products from our partners including bread, cheese, hummus, honey, and more. For more information, please visit www.hollyhillfarm.org.

To register for the Discover the Woods 5k Trail Run, please click here to register online. Don’t delay in registering; do it today! In keeping with the mission of Holly Hill Farm, all t-shirts will be organic cotton! T-shirts will be guaranteed for those who register by Friday, September 18th.

Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race

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This morning was a rather overcast and dreary morning but the positive energy coming out of the little town of Abington, Massachusetts was enough to make the day so much brighter. When Jeff Coombs died in the terrorist attacks of September 11th, his wife Christie Coombs decided to honor his memory by starting a foundation in his name and hosting, amongst other events, an annual road race to raise funds for the Jeffrey Coombs Memorial Foundation.

At today’s race were several others impacted by the terrorist attacks against our nation both on September 11th, at the Boston Marathon bombing and defending our freedom across the globe. Notably, Carlos Arrendondo and Bill Richard, father of 8 year old Martin Richard who was killed at the Boston Marathon were present at today’s race and added an emotional element to the run.

Runners were presented with the option of wearing a sticker in memory of someone who lost their life in the terrorist attacks of September 11th or who died in either Afghanistan or Iraq. Given my connection to the Ace Bailey Children’s Foundation, I opted to run with Ace’s name on my race bib.

Not a dry eye was at the kickoff of run when 5 year-old Colin Van de Giesen took to the microphone to sign the Star Spangled Banner before the run. Colin’s father Kyle was killed in Iraq two weeks before Colin was born and Colin learned to sing the national anthem when listening to a patriotic CD each night before bed. When Colin finished up his singing of the national anthem, a thunderous round of applause rushed across the crowd that was speechless and quiet when first hearing of Colin’s story and then listening to each flawless note.

The race kicked off first with some US Army soldiers with complete ruck sacks hitting the 3.1 mile course. After they made their way onto the course, it was the the runners’ turn followed by a healthy contingent of walkers out to support this great cause. The race starts with a nice, gradual downhill first mile which means just one thing: a rather gradual uphill second mile. Two water stops are on the course just past miles one and two and the third mile into the finish line is a rather smoothed out flat course. A huge showing for this annual race and the energy each year just gets better and better. The emotion the race brings coupled with the great course and noble cause supported makes this race one that all runners should try to check out at some point.

This year I finished the Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race with a time of 22:39, good for 7:17/miles; a few seconds per mile slower than last year’s run but still a pretty nice time out on the course.