Register Today for Pam’s Run

On June 22, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The Running Griffin will once again be participating in Pam’s Run which will be held in Wayland, Massachusetts on Saturday, October 18th and I hope to see you there! This run features both a 5K and 10K option and has racers run through a remarkably scenic residential section of Wayland.

Pam’s Run raises funds for The Neighbor Brigade. Neighbor Brigade establishes and mobilizes networks of community-specific volunteers ready to help immediately and effectively when a crisis strikes due to illness, surgery, or tragedy. Services are currently available in 35 communities in eastern Massachusetts.

Pam’s Run is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Pam Manikas Washek, founder of Neighbor Brigade and a tireless champion for families facing sudden crisis. She founded Neighbor Brigade to help those in crisis manage both emergency and routine needs, with services provided by fellow community members.

Last year I ran the 5 mile option at Pam’s Run and the race recap can be found here. To register for this year’s race, please click here.

Register Today for the 4th Annual HussDog Jog

On June 10, 2014June 10, 2014 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

Registration is now open for the 4th Annual HussDog Jog and I hope to see you at the race this year! The HussDog Jog takes place this year on July 12th and has a great early morning start to help runners beat the heat!

Last year I participated in the run and was completely impressed by the organization of the race and look forward to this year’s event. Here is my race recap of last year’s run so you get a feel for what the race entails.

The 4th Annual HussDog Jog will commemorate the passing of Steven R. Hussey by bringing family, friends, and the town of Pembroke together in a celebratory 5k and 2 mile walk! Proceeds to benefit local brain injury and stroke centers. This donation will help keep Steven R. Hussey’s memory alive while helping to support those living around us who are in need!

To register for the 4th Annual HussDog Jog, please click here. I look forward to seeing you at the race!

12th Annual Christopher’s Run for Diabetes

On May 26, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

It is always nice when a race is nearby a and supports an important cause, as well. This morning it was just a quick skip over to West Bridgewater for the 12th Annual Christopher’s Run for Diabetes. Mrs. Running Griffin has two brothers who have diabetes so supporting a cause that has direct impact upon one’s family is really a nice touch. This 5k race is held in honor of local resident Christopher Nelson who was diagnosed with diabetes when he was two years old and all proceeds from the race go toward the work that the American Diabetes Association is conducting to find a cure for diabetes.

The 5k is a great Memorial Day race and brings runners together from across the region for a moderately challenging 5k. The race takes off and gradually climbs for the first half of the race and then turns into a downhill grade for the second half. The course has great volunteer support along the way and a water stop is present about half-way through the race. As the course takes you through residential neighborhoods there are folks along the way cheering you along.

This morning started off rainy and overcast but for race time the sun broke free from the clouds and the race time temperature warmed up quite nicely. The heat could be felt when in the sun and summer time racing is upon us; thank goodness!

I finished today’s 12th Annual Christopher’s Run for Diabetes with a time of 23:08 or 7:24/miles.

Bridgewater Police Department 5K

On May 17, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open for the Bridgewater Police 5k and 1 mile Kids Fun Run! The race will be held on September 27th at 9AM.

The Bridgewater Police Department is pleased to announce its 1st Annual 5k and 1mi Kids Fun Run. Enjoy a scenic run through historic downtown Bridgewater, MA followed by awards and raffles. This is sure to be a fun time for families and runners of all ages. The race will start at the Bridgewater Police Station and end at the Crescent Street fields complete with a new playground!

Please note that there are no strollers allowed on this course but walkers are welcome. We are also welcoming team registrations for this event. Cost is the same at $25 per person and you are welcome to create a team and use this as a fundraising event for your charity.

Entry fee for the Kids 1mi Fun Run with be the donation of a non-perishable food item for the local food pantry. All participants in the fun run will receive a ribbon.

All participants in the 5k will receive a participation medal and trophies for the top 3 finishers in each age bracket. Special trophies will be given to the top 3 finishers that are in law enforcement.

To register for the Bridgewater Police Department 5k, please click here.

Will Run for Beer

On April 27, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Let’s face it: some things are just meant to go with one another. Peanut butter and jelly, corned beef and cabbage, Chinese food followed by ice cream and so on. Add to the list beer and running. After a run, there is often times nothing more refreshing than a cool beer to help you get some calories back into the system and cool down after hitting the pavement. This weekend it was a back-to-back weekend of racing with a 5k on both Saturday and Sunday and low and behold each race had a nice beer theme to it.

Yesterday I traveled to Canton, Massachusetts for the Blue Hills Brewery 2nd Annual South Shore Trail Run. Runners checked in at the brewery and then boarded a trolley to the starting line which was just down the road a bit within the State Park and around Ponkapoag Pond. The race time conditions were quite gross with temperatures in the low 40’s and a rather heavy dousing of rain pouring down on runners. The race was an informal sort of fun run with no real timing taking place and the course not marked or marshaled, causing a couple of other runners along with myself to run a wee bit further than the 5k we signed up for. The course was rather sloppy from the rain but after having done so many pavement miles training for Boston it was nice to mix things up a little bit. Post-race, runners boarded the shuttle bus back to the brewery where everyone was able to enjoy two free beers and some light snacks. One of the best surprises of the race was when the race director gave every single runner a case of Blue Hills Brewery’s IPA. Not a bad deal!

This morning, we headed for Cambridge, Massachusetts for the Spring Classic 5k. This race started just in front of the Asgard Pub and just shy of 3000 of our closest friends hit the streets of Cambridge for a nice 5k run. Having done a race that started at the Asgard before, I liked this course much better since it wasn’t just an out-and-back and instead you hit some residential neighborhoods of Cambridge along the way. I felt quite good at the race, particularly after doing a trail run yesterday and after completing the Boston Marathon less than a week ago. Overall, my time was 24:16 which is good for 7:48/miles.

Post-race, runners were treated to fresh beer being poured by Jack’s Abby as well as cases of cans of 21st Amendment Brewery‘s IPA and Watermelon Wheat. Back in my younger days I would have made a pretty nice dent here but instead after enjoying one IPA, thanks to the generosity of my brother who came to watch us run the race, we treated ourselves to Flour Bakery before heading back home.