4th Place Overall at the Fall River Salvation Army 5K

On April 26, 2015 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

Yesterday morning it was a last minute decision to head down to Fall River, Massachusetts for the Fall River Salvation Army 5K. The race was a bargain price of $20 inclusive of a tee-shirt and the race kicked off at 10AM in an industrial park in Fall River. The race kicked off right on time and runners made their way out onto the course. Rather early into the race I recognized I was running pretty strong and was toward the head of the pack so it was all about maintaining a good pace through the rest of the race.

The course was nicely marked and patrolled by members of the Fall River Auxiliary Police Department and the Fall River Fire Department. Volunteers were at the miles markers and a water stop was perfectly placed midway through the race.

For a course in an industrial park there were a nice amount of hills mixed into the race and the course was certainly not of the flat variety. On the final stretch of the race it was clear that I was in fourth place and I needed to kick it in to ensure a solid finish. Fortunately, I was able to maintain a nice finishing pace and did indeed come in fourth overall with a time of 23:26, good for 7:34/miles.

Raynham Knights of Columbus 5 Miler

On April 20, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Yesterday morning it was just a skip to the town next door for the Raynham Knights of Columbus 5 Miler in Raynham, Massachusetts. The race was postponed a couple of weeks due to the rough winter snow we faced in New England in February into March but the snow was just a mere memory on what was an absolutely beautiful running morning with temperatures very comfortable and a rather good head wind to content with on each turn.

The course is a 5 mile loop and was changed a bit from previous years as the starting line was moved to a different spot on the course which meant the King Phillip hill was at the start of the course rather than toward the finish line. I ran the course really well and felt good heading up the big hill and throughout the streets of Raynham. The course had a couple rolling hills mixed in and a healthy amount of rather flat running to allow for some speed maintenance throughout the race.

I finished the Raynham Knights of Columbus Five Miler with a time of 37:53, good for a nice pace of 7:34/mile. After the race I was also awarded second place in my age bracket so not a bad morning of running!

Falmouth Flag Day 5K Registration Now Open!

On April 17, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Falmouth, Massachusetts is one of the top racing spots on Cape Cod and is home to some absolutely great races. On Flag Day, Falmouth will be home to another great race this year as the Falmouth Flag Day 5K will kick off at 10AM on June 14th in Falmouth.

The Falmouth Flag Day 5K benefits the Falmouth Educational Foundation whose foundation is to support and enhance educational excellence in the Falmouth, Massachusetts, public schools by awarding annual grants for innovative programs that are outside the district’s operating budget. The race is organized by Race Director Richard Sherman and the organizers have done a remarkable job lining up some top sponsors that will help ensure the success of the race.

The race course is an out-and-back course along the waterfront and what better way is there to celebrate flag day than to run alongside America’s most scenic shoreline. For a course map, please click here.

To register for the race, you can register online by clicking here. Please also be sure to “Like” the race page on Facebook.

Register for Trav’s Trail Run

On April 14, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open for Trav’s Trail Run which will be held on May 17, 2015 in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

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

The race is a three mile cross country race in Maudslay State Park and the fact that the race supports young runners help realize their dreams is a cause all runners can get behind and support.

The race has great trail mugs that are awarded to age division winners and features a huge post-race raffle for all runners.

To register for the race, please click here to register online. You can also “Like” the race on Facebook by clicking here.

19th Annual Doyle’s Emerald Necklace Road Race

On April 13, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

After a long winter, heading out into the Jamaica Plain section of Boston yesterday was a most welcome venture. The sun was beating down and being able to wear short sleeves and shorts while running really felt amazing. The race was the 19th Annual Doyle’s Emerald Necklace Road Race and the race was a great spring run on what turned out to be a truly nice day.

The race is sponsored by Doyle’s Cafe which is a traditional Irish pub in Jamaica Plain. Following the race, the pub does a sensational job putting on a block party complete with a DJ, Sam Adams beer and food. Doyle’s holds the distinction as being the first pub that poured Sam Adams beer therefore having a pint there is sort of the ultimate beer drinker’s utopia after running a good five mile race.

The course itself is a beautiful 5 mile course through Franklin Park which is part of the Emerald Necklace chain of parks. The course is paved the entire way and even with a tough winter the roads for the most part were in pretty good shape. It was great to hear the Boston Police Gaelic Column playing heading out onto the course and close to the finish line as we made our way back toward the pub. I’m not sure if I am the only Irishman who has a strange reaction while hearing bagpipes where I get goosebumps coupled with an extra little kick in the legs upon hearing them play but it was a great touch for an awesome race. Race volunteers were at each mile marker and water was provided by course volunteers and by Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley.

I finished the 19th Annual Doyle’s Emerald Necklace Road Race with a time of 39:56 or 7:59/miles.