Bridgewater Police Department 5K

On September 27, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Yesterday morning was the 2nd Annual Bridgewater Police Department 5K. Even though I am biased since I live in Bridgewater, this race is one of the best 5K races around!

At 8:30 AM the kids 1 mile fun run takes place and our seven year-old daughter tackled the race with an awesome time of 10:17. As a proud dad, I’ll also boast she also scored a hat trick at soccer later in the afternoon!

The 5K race started right at 9AM and the course takes runners away from the police station and on a 3.1 mile loop course of Bridgewater. The Bridgewater Police Department does a great job patrolling the course particularly as runners make their way around the Central Square historic common in downtown Bridgewater. Right past the two mile marker the course takes a gradually uphill path up Cottage Street and then up Fremont Street before making the final sprint into the finish line located at the police station.

Runners all receive a finisher’s medal and the tee-shirts for the race are technical shirts and include a police badge logo and a listing of sponsors including The Running Griffin!

I finished the Bridgewater Police Department 5K with a time of 23:40, good for 7:37/miles.

Be sure to look for next year’s listing for the Bridgewater Police Department 5K; this is a race you definitely want to add to your racing calendar!

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.

Raynham Knights of Columbus 5 Miler

On April 20, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Yesterday morning it was just a skip to the town next door for the Raynham Knights of Columbus 5 Miler in Raynham, Massachusetts. The race was postponed a couple of weeks due to the rough winter snow we faced in New England in February into March but the snow was just a mere memory on what was an absolutely beautiful running morning with temperatures very comfortable and a rather good head wind to content with on each turn.

The course is a 5 mile loop and was changed a bit from previous years as the starting line was moved to a different spot on the course which meant the King Phillip hill was at the start of the course rather than toward the finish line. I ran the course really well and felt good heading up the big hill and throughout the streets of Raynham. The course had a couple rolling hills mixed in and a healthy amount of rather flat running to allow for some speed maintenance throughout the race.

I finished the Raynham Knights of Columbus Five Miler with a time of 37:53, good for a nice pace of 7:34/mile. After the race I was also awarded second place in my age bracket so not a bad morning of running!

Race Recap: Seagull Six

On March 29, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

This morning it was down to Cape Cod’s Wood’s Hole section of Falmouth for the Seagull Six Road Race. This race is put on by the Falmouth Track Club and is usually a huge showing for my running club as it tends to be one of our Grand Prix races. The course is a brutally hilly course with the entire first two miles consisting of a climb that is not for the faint of heart followed by a slight downhill and then some monster rolling hills. Even as you pass the Mile 5 sign you realize that you have just shy of 3/4 of a mile left to go (the race is 5.74 miles) but you know the climbing still is not done.

When arriving in Falmouth it was noticeably a couple degrees chillier than back home but the sun was shining bright and after the winter we have had here in New England running outside is an absolute joy right about now. I felt pretty strong for most of the race and the hills didn’t seem to bother me too much this weekend; perhaps coming off of a half-marathon and Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s Road Race‘s hilly course was a good thing.

Though I have run a better Seagull Six in the past, today’s race I can’t be too upset with as I ran strong and had a good time out on the course. I finished today’s Seagull Six with a time of 46:36, good for 8:07/miles.

Registration Now Open for the Keep Springfield Beautiful 10K

On March 27, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open for the Keep Springfield Beautiful 10K! The race takes place on Mother’s Day in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts and supports the efforts of Keep Springfield Beautiful which is a non-profit organization that promotes litter and graffiti prevention, recycling, conservation and beautification of Springfield.

The 10K run starts and ends at the south parking lot of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Shortly after the start there is a gradual uphill, then past the Olmsted designed Forest Park. There is a slight downhill / uphill past the 19th century industrial mill at Watershops Pond. Turn left at historic Springfield Armory and proceed downhill at 9K past the Federal Courthouse.

There is also a 3K walk for those who are interested in supporting the event but would prefer to walk rather than run. The walk leaves from the Hall of Fame and proceeds on the RailTrail along the Connecticut River.

To register for the Keep Springfield Beautiful 10K, please click here. You can also learn more about Keep Springfield Beautiful on their Facebook page by clicking here.