FOP Lodge #28 Five Mile 50/50 Charity Run

On March 8, 2014 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

We all know that runners have some of the biggest hearts when it comes to running for charity. We sign up for races that support causes, run marathons to fundraise for charities that are important to us and support other runners in their fundraising efforts. Here is a great race that exemplifies the charitable efforts of the running community.

Join the FOP Lodge #28 for their Five Mile Charity Run. This event is 5 Mile 50/50 Charity Run. Course is mainly flat in a rural area. During the on-line registration process you will be asked to designate which 501(c) 3 charity you would like to register for a chance to win 50% of the profits from this event. Once all race expenses are paid MA. FOP Lodge #28 will keep 50% of the profits. All registered runners and the name of your chosen charity will be entered into a drawing. At the end of the run a name will be drawn and that runner’s chosen charity wins the other 50%!!!! NO T-SHIRTS will be given out to keep the cost of the event down thus more money for the charity. Each participant will receive a commemorative inscribed bronze medallion as a memento.

Open for early and day of registration at 7:30am. Indoor facilities are available with plenty of parking. Run begins at 9am!!!! Course is a 5 mile loop in a rural area, mostly flat with one water stop. Post race refreshments will be provided. In lieu of t-shirts all runners will receive a commemorative bronze medallion recognizing their participation in this charity event. NO PETS allowed on the running course. Run takes place rain or shine. Trophies will be given for top overall Male and Female winner. Awards for First and Second Place, Male and Female in all age divisions. 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+.

To register for this race, please click here.

Shubeez Joins The Running Griffin!

On December 24, 2013December 24, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The Running Griffin would like to welcome shubeez to our website! We are proud to announce that The Running Griffin is a new affiliate for shubeez!

What are shubeez? shubeez are unique collectable shoe tags that attach securely to the laces of any athletic footwear shubeez are unique collectable shoe tags that attach securely to the laces of any athletic footwear and we are creating a buzz for some awesome organizations. Everything we do gives back, whether it’s creating awareness for a cause or raising funds. shubeez are sold online right here at their online store but they can also create a custom shubeez for your brand including non-profits, sports teams, PTOs, and charity races.

If you are interested in a custom option for your charity or organization, please contact me via email as I am a shubeez affiliate and can work with you to have your shubeez designed, ordered and produced. You can contact me via email at therunninggriffin@gmail.com.

Register for the Back on My Feet 5K

On December 19, 2013December 19, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

2nd Annual Back on My Feet Day 5K

New Year’s Day Road Race will benefit Back on My Feet, the Boston non-profit that uses running to give homeless a second chance.

Winged Foot Running and Charles River Running are once again teaming with the Back on My Feet organization to bring you the 2nd Annual Back on My Feet 5K on New Year’s Day. On January 1, 2013 we celebrated our inaugural race with more than 200 runners and we are looking to build on those numbers for January 1, 2014 !!! The race, sponsored by Charles River Running, Winged Foot Running and Liberty Mutual begins at 10 a.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall, 572 Nichols Street, Norwood, MA.

The race will feature the same fast and relatively flat course as last year (see attached course map) and runners will once again be served a hot, post race breakfast of pancakes, Canadian bacon, and fresh fruit!!! The first 200 registered runners will receive a free long sleeve tee shirt!!! We also will have a limited quantity of knit running gloves available on race day which will be on a first come first basis! There are two easy ways to sign up….1.) Online registration (https://millenniumreg.com/back-on-my-feet-5k), just click on this link and sign up. 2.) if you choose to pay by check, please fill out the attached race application and send by mail as soon as possible!! Race applications will also be available at Charles River Running located at 679 Washington St., Norwood, MA.

CASH PRIZES will go to the Top 3 overall male and female finishers and for the top male and female teams!! MEDALS will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each age group!! We will also be awarding special prizes for the BEST BABY NEW YEAR costume and FATHER TIME costume! Sign up today and get ready to ring in the New Year with a great race, food, fun and friends!!!!!

Back on My Feet, a national non-profit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of the homeless by first engaging them in running to build confidence, strength, and self-esteem, will serve as the race’s beneficiary with 100 percent of all net proceeds going to the Boston chapter.

For more information on Charles River Running, visit www.charlesriverrunning.com

For more information on Back on My Feet, visit www.backonmyfeet.org.

Winter is Here: Walter’s Run in West Roxbury

On December 8, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The cold New England air set in this morning as we made our way to West Roxbury, Massachusetts for a great 5K called Walter’s Run. Walter’s Run was the final Grand Prix for the Thirsty Irish Runners and fortunately the race started at 11AM to allow a little bit of warming up to take place.

Walter’s Run starts at the YMCA in West Roxbury and is put on by the Parkway Running Club. In 2004, PRC started Walter’s Run to honor a very special friend and member, Walter Burgess. Walter passed away suddenly in November 2003 at the age of 40 shortly after having completed the Great Floridian Ironman Triathlon. Walter was an active PRC member, Club Secretary and Newsletter Editor. He was an amazing athlete, forever working out either at the Y, on his bike, or running on the roads. More importantly, Walter was an incredible friend and inspiration. He was always there to run the slower members into the finish line, to organize the marathon long runs or group ski trip, to cheer others on, or to give us a big smile after a training run or race no matter the length.

The Boston Globe Santa fund was one of Walter’s favorite charities that he donated to regularly, even as a child. To more fully demonstrate Walter’s love of community and running, they have expanded the organizations receiving proceeds from Walter’s Run to include the YMCA Reach Out Campaign and a fund to send deserving young runners to running camp using Walter Burgess Scholarships.

The course for this race is a nice 5K loop that takes runners through residential neighborhoods of West Roxbury. Along the way, even with the cold temperatures, some spectators cheered runners along including City Councilor Matt O’Malley and Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley. Between miles 2 and 3 is a monster hill that runners trudge their way up before heading back into another residential neighborhood before hitting a nice downhill finish. Though I have run this race and this hill before, the uphill today took its toll and it was tough getting up the hill with the colder air entering the lungs on each breath in.

Overall, not a bad day of running at Walter’s Run with a finishing time of 24:24 or 7:52/miles. Thanks to all the Thirsty Irish Runners for making it another great year of Grand Prix racing!

Register Today for the Hogeye Marathon

On November 11, 2013November 11, 2013 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

The Running Griffin is proud to be partnering with the team from Hogeye Marathon and is happy to announce discounted race entries for readers of The Running Griffin.

The Hogeye Marathon, Half-Marathon, Relay and 5K will be held on March 30, 2014 in Fayeteville, Arkansas. This year will be the 38th running of the Hogeye.

The Hogeye Marathon & Relays, Inc. is a non-profit organization. The event is put on by volunteers and has always had the mission to give back to the NW Arkansas community, while promoting healthy lifestyles through running. In 1977, the first marathon started at the University of Arkansas and went to the small town of Hogeye where it turned around and came back, making the 26.2 miles. The course has since been changed to be more runner-friendly and covers the most scenic parts of Fayetteville. The Hogeye has a reputation and gives participants a pride which is unmatched in Arkansas and beyond.

The marathon begins off the Fayetteville Square and continues through several historic scenic areas of the city. It promises to be scenic as well as safe, thanks to help from the Fayetteville Police, University Police and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. Water and aid stations will be located throughout the course. Maps will be available at the packet pick-up, or here on the website. The marathon will start at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2014. The race will begin on the Fayetteville square and finish in the Entertainment District. Timing will end 6.5 hours from the start. Participants may start early if this is not adequate time. There will be one early start at 6:30 a.m. Keep in mind you must know the course as it will be unsupported until 7:30. The 26.2 mile run is open to male and female participants 15 years of age and older. All participants under the age of 18 must have parent/guardian’s signature. No one under the age of 15 will be allowed to participate in the Full Marathon. Runners may participate as part of a 4-person relay team for additional fees.

To register for the Hogeye Marathon or Half-Marathon, please click here. The Running Griffin readers can enter code MTENOFF to receive 10% off the marathon race entry or HTENOFF to receive 10% off the half-marathon entry fee.

Be sure to also “Like” The Hogeye Marathon on Facebook by clicking here and follow them on Twitter @HogeyeMarathon.