Registration is now open for the Run Milton Half-Marathon. This race is sponsored by Milton Boot Camp and will take place on April 12th in Milton, Massachusetts.

The 2015 Run Milton Half-Marathon is the second annual race fundraiser for the Friends of the Milton Council on Aging (COA) Transportation Fund, which covers the cost of transporting seniors to and from medical appointments. The COA Transportation Fund raises money annually to offset the charges incurred for this important service to the town’s growing senior population.

The 13.1-mile race will take runners through the beautiful town of Milton, Massachusetts. The half-marathon has a reasonable entry fee of $55 which includes a tee-shirt and race goodie bag.

To register for the Run Milton Half-Marathon, please click here. Please be sure to also “Like” the Facebook page of lead sponsor Milton Boot Camp by clicking here.

There is no way to sugar coat it. It was freaking cold this morning as we made our way to the Super Sunday 5 Miler in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Layered up and trying to soak in every ounce of heat in the car before race time, the Super Sunday 5 Miler was the February Grand Prix Race for the Thirsty Irish Runners so the sea of green clothing was out in full force at the race. The race time temperatures were in the teens and when a cold wind blew through the area you could really feel the chill throughout your bones.

The race was hugely attended and was sponsored by Sanofi Oncology and Genzyme and benefited the Race Cancer Foundation. The race featured both a 5k and a 5 mile option and it was the 5 miler option that will make the bad foods that will accompany me to the couch while watching the Super Bowl a little less guilty.

The five mile course runs throughout Cambridge and for the most part is pancake flat. There are a couple of really minimal uphills mixed into the race but overall you are running on flat terrain for your five miles. The streets were narrow due to all of the blizzard snow still kicking around from earlier in the week but the course was well patrolled at intersections and except for a few pretentious snobs trying to aim for runners shins while driving the course was a decent loop through Cambridge.

The race had a nice post-race lineup of breweries pouring their craft offerings including some great local options like Backlash Beer, Clown Shoes and Notch Brewing. A band rocked out to some pretty classic rock anthem songs but due to the cold we opted to hit the road after having a beer and head back to the warmth of the car.

It took about the first two miles to feel my toes but I still maintained a rather nice pace of 7:46/miles with an overall time of 38:47. A great morning of running and fingers crossed a great evening of football viewing ahead. Go Pats!

Th

Last night was the Thirsty Irish Runner’s Annual Banquet therefore we had to behave ourselves as we knew this morning it was off to Sharon, Massachusetts for the Dreamfar 10k. The weather last evening was prime January conditions with a healthy coating of snow blanketing the region and several roads and streets still with a good sheen of ice on them this morning.

Commuting up to Sharon was no problem at all as the main highways were plowed and salted. We arrived at Sharon High School and made our way to the registration table and picked up our numbers. The Dreamfar 10k supports the Dreamfar High School Marathon program which is a program that teaches high school students the benefits of goal setting and hard work as a means to achieve success in high school and beyond. The same hard work and goal setting techniques apply to marathon training. As the students mileage increases so does their confidence and self-esteem; they do better in school and their overall relationships improve. It was great to see so many young runners make their way to the race and tackle the road race bright and early on a Sunday morning.

The course was a scenic and idyllic stretch through Sharon and around Lake Massapoag. The first two miles of the race seemed to be a healthy amount of very gradual climbing mixed into the run and the road conditions on the main road were wet and slushy and well supported by volunteers and members of the Sharon Police Department. With a 9AM start time, the main roads were quite clear of traffic and the snow glistening alongside the course made for some really nice running conditions. The race time temperature climbed up to about 35 therefore the little bit of warmth allowed for snow to melt from the trees and for runners to warm up while out on the course. Due to icy conditions on one of the stretches of the race, race directors wisely chose to cut out this portion of the run which shaved a mile off of the 10k course leaving the run at a 5.2 mile road race. Mother Nature always can impact a race but the race directors did a great job here ensuring runners’ safety while out on the wintry course this morning.

I finished the 5.2 miles of running with a time of 42:11 or 8:07/miles. Given the conditions, not a bad morning of running and the Dreamfar 10k is definitely a race I look forward to completing in the future, as well.

Registration is now open for the Race the Lake Marathon and Half-Marathon.

Race The Lake marathon and half marathon will take racers around beautiful Otsego lake in Cooperstown NY. They will run past such landmarks as the Otesaga Hotel, The Farmers Museum, The Fenimore Art Museum and The Baseball Hall Of Fame. The lake will always be on your right with awesome views of the surrounding area. This challenging course uses small county roads that are all paved and also travels through a few small townships.

Both the full and the half marathons are certified by the USATF. The full marathon can be used as a Boston qualifier. The course is also completely staffed with many local volunteers, numerous water and aid stations and also bicycle patrols ensure a safe and directed run. Included in the registration fee is a BBQ lunch, and normal finish line finger food. Tech shirts for the first 150 registered and then as supply allows. Unique awards to the overall male/female for each race and then top two in each age category.

The full Marathon starts at 8:00am in front of The Sports Center and finishes on the grounds. Day of registration starts at 6:30am and will go until 7:30. Bag pick up will be available on Friday June 12th from 8:00am to 7:30pm at The Clark Sports Center.

The half Marathon starts at 9:30am from The Abner Double Day campground.

Buses will leave The Clark Sports Center after the marathon start to transport racers to the campground. Limited parking is available at the half start and also overnight accommodation specials are available as well. After the finish vans will transport racers back to the camp ground.

Race day registration must be done at the sports center from 6:30 to 7:30. Bag pick up will be available Friday June 12th from 8:00am until 7:30 pm. and on race day from 7:30am until 8:30am at The Clark Sports Center.

Registration can be done on www.itsyourrace.com and search for Race The Lake http://RaceTheLake.itsyourrace.com/ , paper registration at The Clark Sports Center, and at the day of the event. Down load the free app from the web page for info, maps, and finishes times directly to your phone. The Marathon registration fee is $60.00 until June 8th at that time it will increase to $70.00 The half Marathon registration fee is $50.00 until June 8th at that time it increases to $60.00

Be sure to check out our friends over at Skortaholics! Skortaholics is a great website chronicling nine women who enjoy running, fitness, fashion and fun. You can visit their website by clicking here and should “Like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.