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!

Register for Trav’s Trail Run

On April 14, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Registration is now open for Trav’s Trail Run which will be held on May 17, 2015 in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

All race profits from this race will help fund scholarships for scholar/athletes at: Newburyport High School, Green Mountain Running Camp, RRCA Road Scholars and Zap Fitness. This race is dedicated to Travis Landreth, (May 24, 1976 – January 12, 2001) who was a Newburyport native and 1994 Newburyport High School graduate and runner.

The race is a three mile cross country race in Maudslay State Park and the fact that the race supports young runners help realize their dreams is a cause all runners can get behind and support.

The race has great trail mugs that are awarded to age division winners and features a huge post-race raffle for all runners.

To register for the race, please click here to register online. You can also “Like” the race on Facebook by clicking here.

35th Annual Frank Nealon Boston Tune-Up 15K

On April 5, 2015April 5, 2015 By The Running GriffinLeave a comment

Yesterday morning it was off to Upton, Massachusetts for the 35th Annual Frank Nealon Boston Tune-up 15K. This race is organized by the Tri-Valley Front Runners and is one of the few wheel-measured 15Ks available in the Greater Boston area leading up to the Boston Marathon. The race takes place on a very scenic and quite rolling, hilly course that is well marked and all on the pavement. The course support is great with miles marked and water stops along the way.

Runners get a commemorative soup mug instead of the usual tee-shirt and post-race there is a healthy spread of different soups and snacks available. The soup inside the school ran out quite fast this year and it seemed as though the amount of crock pots they had with different kinds of soups was far less than last year.

The race day temperatures were in the 40’s and the sun broke through just in time for the race to kickoff. The running conditions could not have been better and the day made for a great day of running.

Last year I had a nice run at this race and finished with a time of 1:18:53 for the 9.3 mile race so I was glad to see I beat last year’s time with a finish time of 1:17:30, shaving more than a minute off my time and running a pace of 8:10/miles which for this distance and hilly course I am quite pleased with. Next season, if you are looking for a course that is a good Boston Marathon warmup race or if you just want to push yourself up and down some good hills, be sure to keep an eye out for registration for the 36th Annual Frank Nealon Boston Tune-Up 15K.

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.