Register for the West Island 5K

On March 24, 2015March 24, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open for the West Island 5K. I competed in this race back in 2013 and I am glad to see that this race continues on strongly. The race is a great race in the absolutely beautiful West Island section of Fairhaven and this race is one that you will definitely want to add to your racing calendar. Please click here to register today.

If you are looking for a 5K that is fast, flat, and family-friendly then the West Island 5K is the one for you! The course features an out and back course that starts with a quick downhill and ends with a challenging uphill to the finish. Plan an escape to southeastern Massachusetts and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic ocean views during the race. Join other runners on Sunday, April 26 in Fairhaven for the 3rd Annual West Island 5K Run/Walk & Kids Mile Fun Run. Here are some great reasons to sign up:

· Gorgeous course with ocean views along the shores of southeastern Massachusetts

· Support worthy causes: the Fairhaven High School Cross Country program and the non-profit, Strive and Achieve (www.striveandachieve.org)

· USA Track & Field Certified (MA13007JK)

· Chip timed by RaceWire

· Tech shirts for the first 600 5K runners/walkers

· Prize money for the top 3 overall men/women finishers and course records and medals for the top 3 age group finishers

· Tons of post-race raffle prizes

· It’s a great way to kick-start your Spring!

Whether you’re a 5K novice or a veteran, this event is for anyone looking for a fun time. To learn more about the race and sign-up, go to www.westisland5k.org.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact the Race Director, Lyle Drew at westisland5k@yahoo.com or 571-765-0910. You can also “Like” the race on Facebook by clicking here.

Registration is open for Flag Day 5K in Woonsocket, RI

On March 9, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open for the Flag Day 5K which will be held in Woonsocket, RI on Saturday, June 13th.

Runners are invited to celebrate Flag Day and support our veterans! Full family day schedule of events will start at 9AM with the 1st Annual 5k Run. After you run, runners are invited into the American Legion Fairmount Post #85 to enjoy a sausage and egg breakfast which is included with your registration fee! Runners are then invited back later in the day with the family and enjoy hot dogs, hamburgs, beverages and a live band under the pavillion. Limited FREE food/beverage vouchers will be available to runners who wish to return for the afternoon festivities.

The registration fee is $20 and supports veterans activities. Amenities include indoor facilities, short sleeve t-shirt and the post-race breakfast. Trophy for overall top Male & Female winner. Awards for top two winners in each Male & Female division. Male & Female divisions: 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+ Course is a rolling loop course and can be viewed by clicking here.

To register for the Flag Day 5k, please click here and support this great cause!

Join The Running Griffin at the 2015 Bourbon Derby!

On February 20, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Join The Running Griffin this June in Paris, Kentucky for the 2015 Bourbon Derby! The race takes place on June 13th and I am looking forward to running my first race in Kentucky. The Bourbon Derby features a half-marathon, a ten miler and a 4 mile road race option making it the perfect race for runners of all abilities. I will be running in the half-marathon and encourage you to come and join me!

Runners will be a part of our unique course traveling through three beautiful horse farms, Whispering Oaks, Adena Springs, Hillcroft, and Bluegrass countryside. This one-of-a-kind race experience has scenes to behold, with a challenging but fair paved course throughout whole course route. Runners will travel along on three main roads, Glenn, Jackstown, and Tarr Road on which the three farms are located on that runners will turn off and proceed through for periods of the miles before returning back onto the main roads.

The Bourbon Derby was created as one of the annual fundraisers for the Thoroughbred Breeders Museum a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. This race gives runners something no other race does: more than just running by prestigious horse farms, they actually get the chance to run through these usually private gems.

The race offers some top-notch amenities such as:

Registrants will receive commemorative Dry- Fit technical tee
Finishers’ medals
One of the kind overall and age group awards
8 hydration stations serving water, and SWORD Hydration
13 available locations for bathroom stops

Definitely register now to lock in at a very reasonable $50 price for the half-marathon before the price goes up on March 2nd.

For more information about the 2015 Bourbon Derby, check out their website by clicking here. You can also “Like” the race on Facebook by clicking here.

I look forward to having you join me in Kentucky in June for the 2015 Bourbon Derby. See you there!

Tiger Turkey Chase in Easton, Massachusetts

On November 28, 2014 By The Running Griffin2 Comments

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! Yesterday presented New England with a cold and crisp Thanksgiving Day with some parts of Massachusetts receiving several inches of snow and icy conditions. The South Shore received merely a dusting that coated the grass but heavy rains led to some slick streets and black ice on corners. Yesterday morning, I made my way to Oliver Ames High School located in Easton, Massachusetts for the Tiger Turkey Chase to ensure prior to Operation Eat as Much Food as Possible I actually was able to get some caloric burn in.

The Tiger Turkey Chase is a 5 mile run and the cold temperatures didn’t keep any runners away as the crowd was an impressive showing for Thanksgiving morning. The race started right at 8AM and at race time most of the black ice had meted as the sun just started to warm things up a little bit but some crosswalks and corners still needed a bit of care taken when crossing over them.

The course for the Tiger Turkey Chase starts and finishes at Oliver Ames High School and makes its way through the neighborhoods abutting the school. The course was quite noticeably hilly with what seemed to be most of the hills going in the upward direction than downward. Right at the 4.5 mile mark there is a dramatically sharp incline as you make your way back into the school grounds that as you make your way up only makes you realize how much better that pumpkin pie is going to taste later on in the day.

The race course was nicely staffed by high school students and other volunteers keeping each turn marked and ensuring runners were kept safe. A water stop was available at the midway point.

Making my way into the finish line, a nice crowd of supporters was at the finish line cheering each runner into the chute and adding to the race atmosphere. I finished the Tiger Turkey Chase with a time of 38:48, good for 7:46/miles. The race was a great way to kick off a nice Thanksgiving and is one I would gladly recommend for future years.

The Tiger Turkey Chase benefits the Oliver Ames High School Cross Country teams.

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.