McGuiggan’s Pub 5K

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Today’s running took place in Whitman, Massachusetts for the McGuiggan’s Pub 5K. The 5k starts and finishes at McGuiggan’s Pub which is a favorite local, Irish pub on the South Shore of Massachusetts.

The race started at noontime and the warm, summer sun was in full force along the course. Thankfully there was a water stop about 1.5 miles into the run and then a local business was handing out water bottles about 2.5 miles into the run.

The race was predominantly flat with a quick uphill mixed in just before the two-mile marker. Coming back into the finish line, a sea of fans cheered runners into the chutes and the cheers helped you find the final kick in your legs as you made your way into the finish line.

I finished the McGuiggan’s Pub 5k with a time of 23:37, good for 7:37/miles.

The Jamie Fund 5K Road Race and Walk

 

ImageRegistration is now open for The Jamie Fund 5K Road Race & Walk. Please join The Running Griffin at this race to be held in Mansfield, Massachusetts on August 24, 2013. You can click here to register online.

The Jamie Fund Organization believes it is important to educate typically developing children about acceptance of the special needs children in their communities. They endeavor to create and maintain an infrastructure which would provide the opportunity for others to participate in our existing programs and/or develop similar initiatives meeting the criteria of our charter. Additionally, they endeavor to provide programs, tools, funds and training for effective development of these programs wherever likeminded individuals and communities need them.

The Jamie Fund was created to help make a difference, first in Mansfield and then throughout other cities and towns that face similar issues and do not know where to turn for help.

So be sure to register for The Jamie Fund 5K Road Race and Walk today and I look forward to running with you there to support this great cause!

Running with The HUG Foundation of MA at Abington Police 5k

ImageThis morning I was proud to join the team from The HUG Foundation of MA at the Abington Police Community Partners 5K. The race which starts and finishes at the Abington Police Department raises funds for a variety of local charities and a morning of bright sunshine and perfect temperature made for an absolutely perfect day for running a 5K.

The course is a loop course which brings runners through some predominantly residential streets of Abington. There are a couple of gradual hills mixed into the course but for the most part the race is a flat terrain. Runners raced toward the first mile marker which was on paved roads within a cemetery which made for a humbling run past the headstones marked with American flags on the weekend which celebrates those members in the Armed Services. There was a small section of the race that was on a trail but that tenth of a mile or so led way back to the pavement as runners could pick up speed coming off of the uphill trail run.

The second mile brought runners past the police station where fans cheered runners on and then the runners made a right hand turn on a long, straightaway down a predominantly shaded residential street. A bit of an uphill was mixed in about 2.5 miles into the race but that led to a nice downhill sprint into the 3 mile mark. As runners made their way toward the finish line, a nice crowd of fans cheered loudly as each runner and walker crossed the finish line.

A really good day of running for me today as I finished the race with a time of 22:49 good for 7:22/miles. With a 10k on tap for tomorrow, putting the feet up tomorrow night certainly will be a good decision.

About The HUG Foundation of MA

The HUG Foundation of MA is based out of Abington and has supported the Ace Bailey Children’s Foundation the past two years as Beth Ann and I raised funds for the charity. Alex and Lisa Bezanson are amazing people and have done really tremendous work with The HUG Foundation of MA.

The HUG Foundation was created in 2011 in memory of Linda Harmon, Alex’s sister. The HUG Foundation will be sponsoring various fundraisers and community events that will enable us to help those in need.

Help Us Give to individuals, families and groups; friends and neighbors and those we have yet to meet, whose lives have been touched by illness, accident or financial hardship.

Please visit The HUG Foundation of MA website by clicking here and like them on Facebook by clicking here.

West Bridgewater Senior Class Scholarship Fund 5k Run

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Just one town over, yesterday’s run was the West Bridgewater Senior Class Scholarship Fund 5K run. The run was an out and back course that started and finished at West Bridgewater High School and was a fundraiser for scholarships aimed at helping to defray the costs of college tuition for West Bridgewater students.

The race started on the high school track where runners made one loop and then hit the grass field making their way toward the road. Once on the pavement, the first mile was a rather decent climb up through residential neighborhoods. Though the race was a small, the race course had good volunteer support calling out the splits at each mile and handing out water just past the 1 and 2 mile markers.

Since the race was an out and back course, the same first mile uphill climb gave way to a nice downhill section where the legs could let loose a bit. Crossing back across the same grass field, there was then a 3/4 loop along the track into the finish line.

Overall, I was quite pleased with my run and finished 1st in my age division. With an overall time of 23:25 my pace was a 7:33/mile which comes in at one of my better paces for the season. Given the fact I am in the middle of marathon training, no complaints here!

Guest post: Upcoming Events from Reno Race Promotion

RRP_headerRGBA new feature on The Running Griffin, we’ll be including periodic guest posts by Matt Reno from Reno Race Promotion. Based in Lexington, Kentucky, RRP offers a range of promotional services to help races and other athletic events reach a larger audience.

First off, I want to give a huge thanks to Kevin for letting me provide guest posts on The Running Griffin. Running is a sport that can bring together people from absolutely anywhere in the world. I’m glad to have the opportunity to let more runners know about races in the southern part of the country. Though located in Kentucky, RRP can work with race directors anywhere to get more participants at their starting lines. In fact, as a Massachusetts native and former Vermont resident myself, I’m looking forward to helping some New England races gain more participants.

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The logo for the Susan G. Komen Lexington Race for the Cure, designed by RRP.

Here are upcoming races RRP is working on right now:

It’s been a lot of fun working with these and other races. In the short time since starting this business, I’ve already learned a lot and met some great people. Best of all, I’ve been able to help more runners find out about races and obstacle course runs in their local areas and support some excellent charities. If you have an event that could use promotion, or if you want to learn more about Reno Race Promotion, please visit the website and send a message. See you out on the course!