Race Recap: Hip Hop 10k

On August 22, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

This morning it was over to Easton, Massachusetts to take part in the Hip Hop 10k. This race is a Family Friendly 5K/10K run and 2 mile walk in support of Hip Dysplasia awareness and fundraising. The 10k race kicked off at 9AM which was a nice relief given the humidity at that time was pretty bad and going later into the day has already made it even more sticky. When crossing the finish line I was sweating more than an Ashley Madison account holder!

The 10k race course was a nice challenging run with some rather significant hills mixed into the route. Volunteers did an excellent job directing runners on the course and alerting traffic as to our presence. The much needed water stations on the course provided good relief and were mixed into the race at good times. The course takes runners through rather residential neighborhoods and started and finished at Oliver Ames High School in Easton. A lot of the course was quite similar to the Tiger Turkey Chase I have taken raced in the past.

As you are in the final mile there is a nice uphill climb that really pushes you not slow down before runners intersect with the 5k course and head back toward the high school for the finish line. While coming into the finish there was a band playing some great cover songs and plenty of spectators cheering you into the finish. The race directors did a really nice job organizing the race and there was plenty of water and food to partake in prior to leaving. Several raffles with some big prizes were available inside the cafeteria of the school and vendors setup at the finish line offered samples, massage, chiropractic and more.

I finished the Hip Hop 10k with a time of 51:16 good for a finish pace of 8:15/mile. With the humidity in full effect coupled with some tough quad pain I inflicted upon myself earlier this week playing indoor soccer a good showing at today’s run.

For more information about the work the Hip Hop 10k supports, check out their website here and be sure to “Like” the race on Facebook so you can plan on running this race next year.

RHS Dog Dash 2015

On July 29, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open for the RHS Dog Dash 2015, a 5K race to support the Rockland High School Hockey Team in Rockland, Massachusetts. The race takes place on August 22nd at 9AM and is a great way to get an early morning summer run in and beat the midday heat all while supporting a great cause.

High school athletics is always a great mission to support as the importance of balancing education with extra-curricular activities is something that every student should have the opportunity to participate in. Though my hockey career was always of the street hockey variety, building the foundations of teamwork, discipline and cooperation on the ice are something we all can support.

T-Shirts are guaranteed for all participants that register onine. Awards for overall winners will be provided and there will be raffles to partake in race day, as well!

Top register for the RHS Dog Dash 2015, please click here. Hope to see a lot of runners at the RHS Dog Dash 5K supporting Rockland Hockey!

Register Today for the Roller Coaster Race at Six Flags New England

On July 24, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Join The Running Griffin at the Roller Coaster Race to be held at Six Flags New England just outside of Springfield, Massachusetts on Sunday, September 6th. For less than the cost of a theme park ticket, you can run either the 10k or 5k race and spend the day at Six Flags New England after the race!

The Roller Coaster race registration includes a park ticket and parking along with the race entry and all runners will receive a tech shirt and a finisher medal at the end of the race. The races kick off nice and early at 7:30 AM so you can make a nice day out of running and enjoying an amazing theme park. Runners will tackle a USATF-sanctioned scenic course through Six Flags New England and around and under some of their world famous coasters. Post-race refreshments and award ceremony follow the races.

To register for the race, please click here and be sure to note during the registration process when asked how you heard about the race that you saw it on The Running Griffin!

Please be sure to also check out the Roller Coaster Race’s Facebook page by clicking here and follow them on Twitter by clicking here.

Narragansett Summer Running Festival Half-Marathon

On July 17, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Is there anything better than cracking open a nice cold beer on a hot summer day? I submit not. But how does a beer taste on a hot summer day after having just run a half-marathon? Well, let me tell you.

On Sunday it as just a skip away to Easton, Massachusetts for the Narragansett Summer Running Festival Half-Marathon. The festival took place on the grounds of Stonehill College and featured a 5K and 10K race offering on Saturday with the half-marathon reserved for Sunday. In the past, all three races took place on the same day therefore splitting up the events was a great way to bring more people to the run and have better logistics around the weekend.

Though the half-marathon kicked off nice and early, last weekend was the hottest weekend of the summer and the heat did not disappoint. The course took runners through residential roads of Easton for the most part and part of the course was through trails of the Natural Resource Trust’s Sheep Pasture. The heat was certainly noticeable on the course but the race directors did a nice job ensuring that there was plenty of water and Gatorade on the course for runners. Right around Mile 9 I passed a snake in the middle of the road who met his maker likely due to some heat related issue and for a brief moment I thought, “Why couldn’t I be that snake, at least the race would be over for me.” But I continued on knowing that the finish line was in the near future.

At the end of the race, runners make their way back onto the absolutely beautiful Stonehill College campus through the roads of the college and a brief half-lap on the track around the football field.

The final stretch of the half-marathon takes runners up a hill that is quite steep and particularly painful given its placement around 12.9 miles into the half. But the booming voice of the announcer coupled with fans cheering, a band playing and the wafts of Narragansett beer floating through the air make pushing it into the finish line all the better.

Certainly not my best half-marathon time but due to the weather this was more of a survival sort of run with getting to the finish line being the main goal. I finished with a time of 2:10:58 or 9:56/miles. The past few years this race has featured some hot conditions but that’s part of the challenge. Let’s see what next year brings.

Keep Cool This Summer with MISSIONS’s Athletecare

On July 2, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

MISSION was founded in 2009 by an elite group of athletes looking to create an innovation-led brand focused on solving problems for athletes.

Pioneering a new product category dubbed Athletecare, MISSION uses science and real life insight from the world’s greatest athletes, to create disruptive sport technologies that elevate performance.

MISSION has some great microfiber towels available to help keep you cool during the summer heat. If you are hitting the pavement in either the heat or the humidity, MISSION’s Athletecare is a great way to cool down after a tough run. Their line includes regular, plain colors or NCAA branded towels to show support for your favorite team.

Right now, if you use the code 4TH at checkout you can land free shipping on your purchase; be sure to order today! Click here to visit their website and take advantage of this offer today.

Be sure to Like their Facebook page here and follow MISSION on Twitter by clicking here.