Tag: 5K

3rd Place Finish at the Frances Morast 5K

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This morning was the Frances Morast 5K to Beat Ovarian Cancer in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, which just so happens to be where I live. The course is a nice and fast 5K course that takes runners through a scenic loop including the historic Central Square section of town. Having done this race in the past and having run these roads for the past several years, this race serves as a great run to push myself and see how I can fare against the competition.

Race time weather was ideal for running with the sun shining and the fall air settling into New England after a couple of hot and humid days this week. As we made our way out onto the course I felt really good and for the first half-mile found myself to be in first place. I checked my Garmin and saw I was running a nice pace but knew it was one I could not maintain for the rest of the race. Two runners passed me and I gladly let them glide along and fell into a comfortable stride I felt I could maintain for the rest of the race. After a brief neck and neck run with another runner about a mile and a half in, I kicked it up a notch and began to pull away. Coming back into the Central Square section of Bridgewater I knew third place was mine for the taking and continued to push it toward the finish line. After a brief encounter that almost landed me as a stylish hood ornament on Maple Avenue I continued a good coast into the finish line and finished the race in third place overall with a time of 22:13, good for 7:10/miles. This was pretty much the best 5k race I have had all season and I am quite pleased with the outcome.

The race is organized by the Morast family who lost Frances Morast, an educator in Bridgewater, to ovarian cancer. This annual race has raised over $100,000 for ovarian cancer research and for scholarships awarded in Fran’s honor.

Be sure to “Like” the Facebook page for the race by clicking here and join me at the Frances Morast 5K next year!

Charles River Center 5K

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On October 6th the Charles River Center will be hosting their third annual 5K road race and 1 Mile walk. The Charles River Center is a human service agency in Needham, providing services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism from Greater Boston throughout MetroWest communities. You can learn more at http://www.charlesrivercenter.org
 
This race has awesome sponsors! This race has had over 500 participants the last two years and they hope to do even better in 2013!
 
Mery Daniel, one of the Boston Marathon bombing survivors will be participating, and we are tremendously blessed to have the power of her advocacy for the folks that we serve. You can read more about Mery here. Mery’s husband Richardson has been a longtime employee of CRC and we stand in awe of their courage and determination. There is a place to make an additional donation directly to her during the registration process or in person on race day.
 
You can register for the Charles River Center 5k by clicking here. If you don’t run, you can walk in the 1 Mile Walk event.
 
This is a USATF certified course. The first 300 to register get a free tech-shirt and everyone gets a swag bag filled with stuff you’ll actually use! In addition to doing something that is cheap and supporting a great cause, you will easily be able to out-drink the cost of your entry fee with the ice cold FREE Sam Adams beer that is flowing at the finish line.

2nd Annual FOP Lodge #28 Frozen Five New Years Day Run

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ImageRegistration is now open for the 2nd Annual FOP Lodge #28 Frozen Five New Years Day Run. Last year I was lucky enough to place 2nd in my age division in this race that serves as the ideal way to kick off the New Year on the right foot. You can read the race recap from last year’s run by clicking here.

This 5 mile race takes place throughout a rural, residential course and the race is nicely supported from start to finish. Runners receive a long sleeve tee-shirt and a hot breakfast post-run complete with eggs, sausage, coffee and more.

This race supports the Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police and last year’s run included some Massachusetts corrections officers running in the race.

The 2nd Annual FOP Lodge #28 Frozen Five New Years Day Run will kick off from the VFW Hall in Norton, Massachusetts.

To register for the 2nd Annual FOP Lodge #28 Frozen Five New Years Day Run please click here. I look forward to seeing you at the race!

The Jamie Fund 5K

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ImageThis morning it was up to Mansfield, Massachusetts for The Jamie Fund 5K. The Jamie Fund Organization believes it is important to educate typically developing children about acceptance of the special needs children in their communities. The star of the day was Jamie, for whom the fund is named, who performed a flawless rendition of the Star Spangled Banner!

The race time temperature at 10AM was absolutely perfect with the sun shining bright and temperatures in the 70s. The race started and finished at a school so there was plenty of parking available and good room for a pre-run warmup. Special thanks to Marathon Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine for a pre-run stretching that certainly was beyond needed.

The course was a great 5K loop that was well staffed by both the Mansfield Police Department and race volunteers. There was a water stop at both Mile 1 and Mile 2 which was a nice bonus as several 5K races only opt for one water stop. The course took runners through residential side streets away from significant amounts of traffic for the most part and the trees along these residential roads provided a nice shade cover to the morning sun.

The final mile of the race was a rather noticeable uphill climb before it flattened out heading back into the finish line.

I finished The Jamie Fund 5K with a great time of 22:51 or 7:21/miles.

If you are looking for a great organization to support, please visit The Jamie Fund’s website by clicking here.

Quincy Animal Hospital Cause for Paws 5k Run

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ImageDo dogs chase griffins? If so, this might be a fast race for The Running Griffin!

Join The Running Griffin at the Quincy Animal Hospital Cause for Paws 5K Run and 1 Mile Dog Walk to be held at Squantum Point Park in Quincy, Massachusetts on October 20, 2013. The 5K race starts at 10AM and the 1 mile dog walk begins shortly thereafter at 10:15.

This 5K and 1 mile dog walk will help to raise funds for the Quincy Animal Shelter. This is a professionally timed race and runners can register online by clicking here. Vendors, refreshments, a dog agility course and Police K9 demo are all part of the festivities so this race is one you do not want to miss!

There will be a prize for the best costumed dog in Halloween gear so runners, be creative! Maybe a dog dressed like Usain Bolt or Prefontaine?

Register today for this great race that will support the Quincy Animal Hospital. Runners, get ready to sprint like a greyhound and register today!

(For more information about walker registration, please click here.)