Tag: Holyoke

Join The Running Griffin in Holyoke, Massachusetts

On By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

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Like the swallows returning to Capistrano, those who have any connection to Western Massachusetts head back to Holyoke, Massachusetts for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Road Race. This annual race features a challenging 10k course that is jam packed with fans cheering runners through the Paper City and sharing in some good Irish craic along the way.  The race is an iconic race that features elite runners taking to the streets for the prize money and casual runners running their once-a-year road race.

The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race is excited to announce that Bill Rodgers will run in this year’s 40th Anniversary road race, marking his first return visit to the race since 1978. Rodgers, who won Holyoke for three consecutive years in 1976-1978, also is a four-time Boston Marathon winner and four-time New York Marathon winner. Rodgers will be in the registration tent from 4-6 pm on Friday, March 20, and also post-race on Saturday, March 21, for pictures and autographs. His visit is being sponsored by ES Sports and PeoplesBank.

To register for the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race, please click here. I look forward to seeing you in Holyoke on March 21st! May the wind be always at your back (particularly heading up Westfield Road)!

It’s a Great Weekend for the Irish

On By The Running Griffin1 Comment

ImageIf you are an Irish-American and have never run the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race then you, my friend, are not truly Irish.

Historically, the city known as the Paper City hosted so many Irish immigrants that the city was called Ireland Parish. An old mill town by nature, Holyoke is a rough and tumble city that prides itself on its Irish roots each year the weekend after St. Patrick’s Day with a Saturday 10k followed by one of the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parades on Sunday morning. Mix in pubs filled with people enjoying Irish music, corned beef and cabbage and fresh Guinness and you have yourself one heck of a weekend.

The 10k road race is a hilly challenge with the first 3.5 miles featuring runners climbing their way toward Holyoke Community College. Once there, just past the four mile marker the course takes a dramatic down hill swing where you can really let the legs go. Another small incline is just past Holyoke High School around the 5.2 mile marker and the last mile is another nice downhill to allow you to kick it into the finish line.

This race prides itself on the merriment along the course with fans packing both the starting and finishing line and crowds strategically placed along the course. Parties at houses lining the course play Irish music, a marching band was at the 3.1 mile marker, a bagpiper plays away just shy of 4 miles and spectators genuinely are excited to see the runners taking to the streets of Holyoke.

This year’s race featured Dick and Rick Hoyt at the starting line as they are the JFK Award Winners and will be marching in the parade on Sunday morning.

ImageThis year, the first 3 miles or so I was cramping pretty good and had a tough time pushing through it. I felt a little better once through the hills but this was one of the first races I have done in a while as marathon training long runs have consumed a lot of my time. I finished the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race with a time of 54:57 which equates to 8:51/miles. Last year I ran about 4 minutes faster but with marathon training in full swing and stomach cramps not a terrible result.

ImageThe winners of this year ‘s Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race both hail from Ethiopia with Menitsu Nebsi winning the race overall with a time of 29:42 and female winner Askala Merachi beating the women’s course record with a time of 33:14. Continue reading “It’s a Great Weekend for the Irish” →