Coach’s Thoughts #3

The Best Races in Massachusetts – The Top Ten List

Every January around this time, I try to plan out which races I want to participate in during the upcoming year. Many of my selections are almost dreams; a collection of Massachusetts’ races second to none stretching all across the states of our union. Many of them I raced years ago, and dream of running them again. A few of them have been on my yearly list for decades, and I have always found reasons why I couldn’t attend them that year. In any case, I thought that I would share with you my top ten races in Massachusetts. Putting this list together was no easy feat and many outstanding races have been omitted; however, I feel very comfortable with my selection. I chose these landmark races because of their longevity, popularity and in some cases, my own, unique experiences. In any case, these are the races that you MUST run before you stop competing. Each of them is special in their own way!

10. Fresh Pond Racing Series – Every Saturday, 10 AM – Fresh Pond, Cambridge, MA

http://www.northmedfordclub.org/schedules/wintersched2010.htm

· I know this is a bit unorthodox, to select a weekly running series for my top ten list of best Massachusetts’ races, yet this is not your ordinary running series. The Fresh Pond Running Series has never missed a week in 37 years (Questionable rumor has it that two dedicated regulars snow shoed it during the Blizzard of ‘78?). Fresh Pond is the longest, continuing, weekly running series in the country. Founded by running gurus Ben Fudge and Fred Brown in 1973 (Fred was there every Saturday from 1974 to 1992!), this series has attracted running greats like Bill Rodgers and Lynn Jennings. This 2.5 mile, off road, flat, paved, looped course circles around the beautiful Fresh Pond. This is a low-key, 2.5 and 5 mile race that is timed, yet no results are posted to Coolrunning, rather the top five men and women are listed in every week’s Sunday Boston Globe. I remember running one day (6 to 7 years ago), while pushing Dorina in her carriage. They asked me, “What was my daughter’s name? When I asked them, “why?” They replied, “She is our 5^th female finisher and she’ll be listed in tomorrow’s Globe!”

9. 30^th Slattery Five Mile Turkey Trot, 1, PM, Sunday, November 21^st, Fitchburg, MA

http://www.slatterysrestaurant.com/specialevents.html

· This is a great race that was started in 1980. Nice challenging hills at the beginning and end, separates the boys/girls from the men/woman. Organizers do a great job will all aspects of logistics. Thousands of runners, from all parts of the country and even from outside the country, have trekked that route in one of the premier running events in the area. The most amazing thing is that they have large pace clocks at every mile; that is very rare to find at any race. Because of the 30^th anniversary run this upcoming year, race directors are anticipating a record amount of athletes.

8. 22^nd Baystate Marathon – 8 AM, Sunday, October 17^th – Lowell, Mass

http://baystatemarathon.com/

• I have never run this legendary “Boston Qualifier,” yet all the people that I know who have participated seem to be pleasantly surprised at both their race time and the overall management of the event. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this race, it is a two-loop, flat course along the Merrimack River. The weather is typically ideal for this distance and the race logistics are consistently very good. Last year almost 1,600 runners completed the course, and every year the crowds seem to grow.

7. 24^th Annual Pittsfield Independence Day 5k – 9:30 AM, Monday, July 5^th – Pittsfield, MA

http://www.pittsfieldparade.com/page.php?PageID=241

• About eight yeas ago I ran this race for the first time not knowing what to expect. Upon arrival, I thought that I was transformed back to Rockwell’s Americana. Pittsfield has a beautiful down town area that reminds me of Marlboro in the 1960’s. The flat, 5k course looped through downtown and ended at the legendary Pittsfield baseball stadium. The race also went off right before their big 4^th of July parade. As the 1,000+ runners sprinted through the course, “parade watchers” had already settled into their lawn chairs and were cheering you on. After the race, you had a nice post race celebration and you simply settled in to watch the best Independence Day parade in the state. Check on the date before you enter this year though, for some reason it’s listed for July 5^th?

6. 26^th Edition James Joyce Ramble 10k – 11 AM, Sunday, April 25^th – Dedham, MA

http://www.ramble.org/

• Over the long cold winter of 1983-84, avid runner and James Joyce fan Martin Casimir Hanley of Dedham was struggling through "Finnegan’s Wake" when the thought occurred to him that this was as tough as training for a race...and Voila! The James Joyce Ramble was conceived. This event is one of its kind, with actual James Joyce readings acted out at each mile mark: 1 mile: Finnegan’s Wake; 2 mile: Ulysses; 3 mile: Portrait of an Artist; 4 mile: Exiles; 5 miles: Dubliners and 6 miles: The Dead – Even my psycho mind couldn’t make this stuff up! Every year this extravaganza attracts close to 2,000 runners and always has great post race entertainment.

“One by one, they were all becoming shades. Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than

fade and wither dismally with age.” ~ The Dubliners

5. 77^th Annual Around Cape Ann 25k – 9 AM, Monday, September 6^th – Gloucester, MA

http://www.northshoreymca.org/download/898_2009capebrochure_2color.pdf (2010 not ready yet)

• This course is both challenging (16 hills – that’s a Vital course!) and beautiful as it winds through the seacoast cities of Gloucester and Rockport. While we’re organizing our own Laborious Labor Day Ten Miler, 700+ runners are sweating their way though 15+ miles with gorgeous views, and did I mention a distinctive lighthouse? This event is the only certified 25k in the entire northeast corridor – I have never run this race but always wanted to…Can you think of a better way to spend Labor Day? Running a great race and then settling down at one of my favorite restaurants, The Causeway for some chowder, steamers and lobster pie (plus, they still allow BYOB). http://www.udine4less.com/causeway/

4. 32nd^st Bridge of Flowers 10k – 9 AM, Saturday, August 14^th – Shelburne Falls, MA

http://www.bridgeofflowers10k.com/index.html

• Many of you may have not heard of this “off the beaten path” race, yet it is truly an amazing event. I ran it myself one time in the early 80’s and all I can remember is two things: the course was TOUGH, and it had a wonderful post race celebration. Runners have been making their way to this tiny village over the years to sample some New England hospitality and to join an ever-growing event. Last year was no exception, as nearly 1,000 runners took part in both the 2-mile and the 10K Classic.

3. 35^th Annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s 10k – 1 PM, Saturday, March 20^th – Holyoke, MA

http://www.holyokestpatricksroadrace.org/index.html

• Even though my friend form Hudson may go east to Somerville, the most notable of all the St Patrick Day races is west in Holyoke. For 35 years, thousands of runners have dressed in green and lined up to run this beautiful course. Last year almost 4,000 runners finished, and this year’s race directors anticipate 5,000 competitors. If you want to run a real St. Paddy’s Day race, take a ride out to Holyoke; that’s no blarney.

2. 38^th Falmouth Road Race – 10 AM, Sunday, August 15^th – Falmouth, MA

http://www.falmouthroadrace.com/

• The Falmouth Road Race celebrates its 38th running this year and the spirit which made the first Falmouth so special is still present today. More than 10,000 runners will gather in Woods Hole for the 2010 renewal, including many of the world's elite, though the essence of the event remains a fun run. Back-of-the-pack joggers share the road with the best, forming a tapestry of colors from the start on Water Street to the finish at the beach in Falmouth Heights. I have run this race many times (maybe 15?), and its beauty (beaches and lighthouse), excitement (music throughout & great crowds), and tradition is 2^nd to none.

1. 114^th Boston Marathon – 10 AM, Monday, April 19^th – Boston, MA

http://www.bostonmarathon.org/

• “Boston” – that word alone is known to everyone who has put on a running shoe and took our sport seriously. It is the pinnacle of all marathons; anyone who seeks to be challenged by the 26.2 mile trek wants to someday qualify to run Boston. I remember running it back in the late 70’s when everyone came to see Rodgers and Shorter and somehow it was better than – more pure. Fond memories include watching the legends: Shorter, Rodgers and Salazar. Yet, even today with all the sponsors, traffic concerns, and the insane number of runners, Boston is still a must for everyone!