Saint Bridget School PTO Freaky Family 5K

On October 18, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Fall was certainly in the air yesterday morning as we made our way over to the Saint Bridget School PTO Freaky Family 5K in Abington, Massachusetts. The race kicked off nice and early at 9AM and our oldest daughter took part in the kids’ run half-mile race before the main 5K event. The kids run participants were each awarded a great pumpkin medal which was a nice touch. The race is complete with several raffles, a bouncy house, a playground for the kids and a nice post-race spread of food.

The race course was largely similar to other Abington runs such as the Abington Police Department 5K and the Sgt. Daniel Vasselian Memorial 5K. The course is a nice loop that takes runners through the streets of Abington and for Halloween the appropriate course through a cemetery. The race announcement told runners to be on the lookout for ghouls and goblins while running through the cemetery so I was convinced people would be jumping out from behind trees or something and sprinted my way through that section but thankfully did not see anyone jumping out.

After the first 2 miles of the run you make your way up a rather nice, gradual incline that stretches for about a half-mile. After making that climb it is a slow, downhill grade before making the final right hand turn onto the final road of the race. The last stretch is flat and fast and allows runners to give it one final kick into the finishing chute.

I finished the Saint Bridget School PTO Freaky 5K with a time of 23:53, good for 7:41/miles.

Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race

On September 13, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

This morning was a rather overcast and dreary morning but the positive energy coming out of the little town of Abington, Massachusetts was enough to make the day so much brighter. When Jeff Coombs died in the terrorist attacks of September 11th, his wife Christie Coombs decided to honor his memory by starting a foundation in his name and hosting, amongst other events, an annual road race to raise funds for the Jeffrey Coombs Memorial Foundation.

At today’s race were several others impacted by the terrorist attacks against our nation both on September 11th, at the Boston Marathon bombing and defending our freedom across the globe. Notably, Carlos Arrendondo and Bill Richard, father of 8 year old Martin Richard who was killed at the Boston Marathon were present at today’s race and added an emotional element to the run.

Runners were presented with the option of wearing a sticker in memory of someone who lost their life in the terrorist attacks of September 11th or who died in either Afghanistan or Iraq. Given my connection to the Ace Bailey Children’s Foundation, I opted to run with Ace’s name on my race bib.

Not a dry eye was at the kickoff of run when 5 year-old Colin Van de Giesen took to the microphone to sign the Star Spangled Banner before the run. Colin’s father Kyle was killed in Iraq two weeks before Colin was born and Colin learned to sing the national anthem when listening to a patriotic CD each night before bed. When Colin finished up his singing of the national anthem, a thunderous round of applause rushed across the crowd that was speechless and quiet when first hearing of Colin’s story and then listening to each flawless note.

The race kicked off first with some US Army soldiers with complete ruck sacks hitting the 3.1 mile course. After they made their way onto the course, it was the the runners’ turn followed by a healthy contingent of walkers out to support this great cause. The race starts with a nice, gradual downhill first mile which means just one thing: a rather gradual uphill second mile. Two water stops are on the course just past miles one and two and the third mile into the finish line is a rather smoothed out flat course. A huge showing for this annual race and the energy each year just gets better and better. The emotion the race brings coupled with the great course and noble cause supported makes this race one that all runners should try to check out at some point.

This year I finished the Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race with a time of 22:39, good for 7:17/miles; a few seconds per mile slower than last year’s run but still a pretty nice time out on the course.

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.

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

On May 18, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

This 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.