The Frosty Five in Mansfield, MA

On December 11, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

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 November 11, 2014 By The Running Griffin1 Comment

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.

Register for the Monson Memorial Classic

On October 14, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The Running Griffin encourages readers to register for the Monson Memorial Classic. As part of Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, Monson Memorial Classic donated to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance in memory of our buddy Matt at Matt Reno Logo‘s mom who passed away from ovarian cancer several years ago.

The 19th Annual Monson Memorial Classic is a half-marathon and will be held on Sunday, November 9th. There is also a 5K option held on the same day. The Monson Memorial Classic road race was started in 1996, shortly after the deaths of Kelly Waldron and Kathy Waldron Perry. These sisters died eight months apart from different types of cancer. Kathy suffered with melanoma, and Kelly had breast, bone, and liver cancer. They were wonderful, loving people. This race is in their memory, and past proceeds have gone to American Cancer Association of Western Mass, American Lung Association, Quaboag Valley Hospice, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year they are giving proceeds to Griffin’s Friends and Melanoma Education Foundation.

To register for the Monson Memorial Classic, please click here and be sure to thank them for supporting great causes!

Stowe Trail Race Series

On July 28, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

On Saturday, July 19th we were able to parlay a weekend getaway in Stowe, Vermont into the ability to finish a trail run while we were visiting the area. The Stowe area is perhaps best known for the winter snow events that take place in the region however the trail run was a great way to highlight the scenic beauty of the region during the summer months, as well.

We headed off to the Nordic Center at Stowe Mountain and took place in one of the Stowe Trail Race Series runs. The race is a full trail run that offers both a 5k and 10k option on some beautiful trails in the woods that in the winter serves as cross country skiing and snowshoe trails. It was great to see how well maintained the trails were for the running series.

Though I traditionally am a pavement runner , hitting the trails was an interesting transition. Needless to say, a city boy hitting the pavement comes with its fair share on dangers inclusive of falling down the trails…twice.

Money from the race series benefits Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports. Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports is a Vermont-based non-profit founded in 2012 on the belief that access to sports and recreational programs are a powerful means for people with disabilities to develop independence as well as physical and mental well-being.

The race series has a couple of other races coming up so if you live in or will be visiting the Stowe, Vermont area please be sure to check out their website and join the race today.

First Place Male Finisher at Today’s Huss Dog Jog 5K

On July 12, 2014 By The Running Griffin2 Comments

The Huss Dog Jog 5k took place this morning in Pembroke, Massachusetts and it was an absolutely stellar morning to have a charity 5k. This race does it right and kicks off at 8AM allowing runners to have their 5k completed before some others have even rolled out of bed!

This race is held in memory of Steven Hussey and raises money for the American Stroke Association and a scholarship fund. Hussey’s family does a great job putting on this race and raises funds through the registration fees and great raffle prizes offered post-run.

The race this year switched from a 5 mile run to a 5k race and the new course was great! The race heads away from Pembroke’s school campus location and into the streets of Pembroke. The 5k course has a couple rolling streets with the most gradual hill kicking in around the 2.5 mile mark. The Pembroke Police Department did a nice job patrolling the course and volunteers manned two water stops along the course.

I finished today’s Huss Dog Jog in second place overall and as the first place male finisher! I knew I was running pretty well on the course and felt good along the way and ended up crossing the finish line with a time of 22:30 which was good for 7:14/miles.