Tag: 5K

Great Running at the 2015 Ireland 5K

On By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

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If you have been in New England at all over the past few weeks you can surely attest to the fact that running conditions up here have nothing short of sucked. There, I said it. With snow that did not stop for most of February coupled with frigid temperatures, runners have likely spent more time with a shovel in their hand tackling the driveway than actually being able to hit the pavement and go for a run. So this morning it was a welcome treat to have a 5K to tackle in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

The 2015 Ireland 5K is put on by the dynamic duo of Charles Breagy and Boston Marathon winner Geoff Smith. The race is hosted at Slainte Irish Bar in New Bedford and the starting line was complete with Irish tunes greeting the runners prior to setting off on the course. Today was still a bone-chilling sort of morning and being right on the Atlantic Ocean added an extra little crispness to the air.

The race was described at the starting line as being pancake thin which was a rather fair assessment. The course is a sort of quintessential New Bedford run taking runners through the fish processing industrial park where the smell of the catch could be noticed through the cold air. The course was well staffed with both New Bedford Police officers and volunteers and most of the course was on roads with little to no traffic on them.

Race participants were given both a long sleeve shirt and a beautiful Guinness glass as part of the registration fee. Post-race, runners were invited back to Slainte for live Irish music and good ole’ fashioned Irish libations, as well.

Even having been knocked off running plans over the past few weeks, I still was able to turn in a rather decent performance with an overall time of 23:10, good for 7:28/miles. Let’s hope the month of March has some more good running days in the forecast; that’s something we all can toast a pint of Guinness to!

Register for The Carmel Marathon Weekend

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Registration is open for The Carmel Marathon weekend and this is one race series you will not want to miss out on! The Carmel Marathon takes place on Saturday, April 18th in Carmel, Indiana and the weekend promises a full slate of race activities for every type of runner from beginners looking to tackle a 5k to marathoners looking to either qualify for Boston or to run their first 26.2 consecutive miles.

The 5th Annual Carmel Marathon Weekend will offer a marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, Horizon Bank 8K and the newly-added Stay Healthy Hamilton County 5K. All races utilize the same start and finish line allowing spectators to see the opening ceremonies and start then cheer as they finish. Finishers for all events will receive a commemorative medal. The finish line DJ will keep the area hopping with the VIP area and Beer Garden within the finish line view. There is also the Center Green, a beautiful grassy area to stretch your legs and relax just a few yards from the finish line area.

The main event for the weekend is the marathon race and the course is sure not to disappoint. The Carmel Marathon will attract elite women and men from around the Midwest to compete for the special purse. Last year’s event attracted participants from 40 states and seven countries! The Carmel Marathon Weekend will feature entertainment along the half-marathon and marathon routes with a variety of bands, DJs and cheer groups and a full listing of the performers can be found here.

The Carmel Marathon has charity runner options available for those runners looking to give back as they make their way through the 26.2 mile course. Details about the charity partners for The Carmel Marathon can be found by clicking here.

If you are looking to participate in a great race weekend, The Carmel Marathon is the one for you! Register today and be sure to Like their Facebook page and follow The Carmel Marathon on Twitter.

Register for the Marathon to Marathon

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Registration is now open for the Marathon to Marathon. This race is held in Iowa and takes runners from Storm Lake, Iowa to the appropriately named finish line of Marathon, Iowa. This Heartland USA Classic is USA Track and Field Certified and Sanctioned, is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, and attracts many athletes from in and around the state.

The Marathon to Marathon offers runners a reasonably priced marathon experience and the race weekend includes a  5K race, a half-marathon, a marathon and a marathon relay.

Please consider registering for this race today!

Event: Marathon to Marathon
Date: June 13, 2015
Races: Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, and 5K
Information: Marathon and 1/2 Marathon are USA Track & Field Certified & Sanctioned
Where: Storm Lake, Iowa to Marathon, Iowa
Contact: Lois Lind
P.O. Box 262
Marathon, IA 50565 Phone: 712-289-2246

The Frosty Five in Mansfield, MA

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The Frosty Five in Mansfield, Massachusetts has a way of living up to its name. Sponsored by Marathon Sports, the Frosty Five is a great 5K race that benefits the Mansfield High School Cross Country teams. The race time temperatures were downright cold and a steady wind really helped add some added chill to the air before runners made their way off of the starting line.

The race takes place in an office park for the most part and the course is quite flat. The very slight decline and incline mixed into the race is barely noticeable however comes about midway into the out-and-back course. Adding to the run was a flock of wild turkeys alongside the road curiously starting at all the crazies running by in such cold temperatures. A water stop was present at the half-way turning point. Huge kudos go out to the Mansfield Police Department who meticulously patrolled the course ensuring runners’ safety at the handful of intersections mixed into the course.

Prior to race time I checked how my time looked from the last time I did this race while trying to stay warm inside our vehicle and when I saw how well I did I thought to myself, “Not sure I’ll be beating that time today.” However, once out on the course I felt quite good and the running legs felt strong and loose. I actually did beat my course record for this race and finished with a time of 22:16, good for 7:10/miles.

The Sgt. Daniel Vasselian Memorial 5K

On By The Running Griffin1 Comment

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Having a lot of extra vacation time to use up before the end of the year, it’s always nice to be able to take a day off, unwind a little bit and maybe get a run in. Today afforded me the opportunity to take a day off from work and head over to Abington, Massachusetts to take part in The Sgt. Daniel Vasselian Memorial 5K.

Sgt. Vasselian’s family decided to host this first annual run to pay tribute to all of the veterans who have served so nobly on behalf of our country. It was touching to see so many veterans in attendance at today’s race.

USMC Sgt. Daniel M. Vasselian was killed in action while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan with Bravo Company 1st Battalion 9th Marines. Sgt Vasselian; known to most as Danny or “V”; brought a light into the world that will never soften. Danny will always be known for his sense of humor, his laugh, kind heart and his ability to find the good in anyone. He brought happiness to everyone he met without realizing the true impact he would leave them with. Despite his gift of bringing humor and a lightheartedness to almost any situation, when it came to his passion in life; he proved to be one of the most fearless and determined Marines that we would ever encounter. He lived his life for his wife, family and friends and he laid down his life; not only for them – but for the freedom of a country that will be forever grateful to him.

The race started and finished directly in front of the Abington Police Department and the crowd of runners was amazing for a first annual race. Prior to the runners taking off on the pavement, Vasselian’s wife Erin and his military comrade Sgt. Aaron Alonso took to the course. Alonso lost both of his legs due to an IED attack while serving in combat.

The course took runners through residential side streets of Abington and twist and turned through some neighborhoods. Once hitting the mile 2 marker, everything changed. Runners made their way into a cemetery and ran past the grave of Sgt. Vasselian where two Marines stood guard. As we ran by, runners blessed themselves, chanted an “Ooo rah” or simply had the same emotions sweep across them that I felt. Though I have never served in the military, the amount of respect that I have for our veterans is endless and running a race on Veterans Day to show my support was a simple way to show that respect.

Coming into the finish line, motorcycles lined the last stretch into the finish and members of the veterans motorcycle club American Infidels stood cheering runners in.

I finished today’s Sgt. Daniel Vasselian Memorial 5k with a time of 22:12, good for 7:08/miles.

The race raised funds for the Danny V Fund and given the success of the race I truly hope this is the first of many races to come.