Pineland Trail Running Festival, New Gloucester, ME - May 26, 2013

From John: Sherry Brown and I participated in the Pineland Trail Running Festival on May 26th. The 50 mile race started at 6am in the rain and the 50k race started at 8am. Fortunately, the rain stopped within the first hour. Unfortunately, it had been raining for 4 straight days prior to the race and the trails were nothing but shoe sucking mud and knee deep puddles for about 70% of the course. Despite the trail conditions, the event was well run and a lot of fun. A post race picnic, including 2 free beers from the local brewery, (and a hose) helped wash away the mud after the race.

Johnny Kelley Half Marathon, Hyannis, MA - May 26, 2013

From Jill: With temps in the low 40's and a strong wind, it was a challenging race!

Run to Remember Half Marathon, Boston, MA - May 26, 2013

From John: This event commemorates Boston Police Officers killed in the line of duty.  This year's race honored Sean Collier, the MIT police officer that was killed by the terrorists following this year's Boston Marathon.
Bibs with Officer Collier's name and badge number '179' were pinned to the back of all participants jerseys.
The race attracted 8,000 runners, 2,500 more than last year with civilian and police participants from all over the country.  The weather was great for a race in the low 50's with cloud cover.  On a personal note, I was able to run a personal best and enjoyed the afternoon dining and celebrating (drinking) with my wife in the Seaport District.

Team Hoyt 5K, Hopkinton, MA - May 23, 2013

Yarmouth PD 5K - May 19, 2013

From Joe: Inspired by the TVFR Blue Raider turnout, I decided to find a local 5K.
The opening ceremony would bring tears to Rambo's eyes.  The mother of one of the Sandy Hook child victims.  Carlos the Marathon day hero.  50 first graders leading the pledge of allegiance.  Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.  Followed by a State Police tenor in full dress uniform singing the Star Spangled Banner, and we were off, 700 of us with the ocean on our right.
My first 5K in a few years.  With no recent tempo or track work, I forgot how much they hurt!  But I managed to do something few of the clubs top runners do: I ran positive splits!
The Yarmouth P.D. runs a SAFE race.  All roads were closed.  A cruiser and three armed officers at every intersection.  Motorcycle escort for first and last runners.  A helicopter fly by.  I was expecting the marines and national guard next!  I wasn’t disappointed: an Army group was running in formation and singing one of their fight songs that rhyme.  I saw them at mile 2 of the out and back course, but I didn’t know the words and was having trouble breathing.
Not a race I’ll ever forget.

Hopedale Blue Raider 5K - May 18, 2013

A huge TVFR turnout!  Special congratulations to Trevor Mungeam for setting a new 0-13 age-group record.

From Devon: It was a great day for a race - perfect weather!  Those track workouts really helped in the final sprint.

Strawberry Shortcake 10K, Plympton, MA - May 18, 2013

From Sarah: A very hilly 10K!

UnitedHealthcare Half Marathon, Providence, RI - May 12, 2013

Cox Providence Marathon - May 12, 2013

From Hiroshi: The race started overcast and remained for a while.  Once the sun came out, it got very warm and muggy and this condition seemed to suck the energy out of people.  My first time running this course.  The marathon course overall is a runner friendly arrangement using scenic bike paths along the bay.

Wapack and Back 21.5 Mile Trail Race, Ashburnham, MA - May 11, 2013

7 Sisters Trail Race, Amherst, MA - May 5, 2013

From Anthony: I've had this one on my radar since last year when Runner's World Magazine rated it the "toughest up and down" trail race in the country!  I have no idea if that's true or not, but it was BY FAR the toughest course I've run to date!  With over 4500 feet of climbing, and scrambling down steep, jagged and otherwise nasty trail surfaces covering 12 miles, this race made every other trail race I've done look like a track workout.  Needless to say, I loved it!  Blog

Race of Rams 5K, Whitinsville, MA - May 5, 2013

From Coleen: Race of the Rams 5K was a blast despite the hills!!  Much hillier than I anticipated.  My goodness that is quite a 5K!  What a well planned event.  4 races happening and all went so smooth.  A duathlon, 5K and 2 kids races. A great time for the whole family and beautiful day.  I was pretty excited with my 5th overall finish and 1st place overall Female.

Quincy Half Marathon - May 5, 2013

13th Officer Savage Memorial 5K, Wellesley, MA - May 5, 2013

The Wellesley-Dover contingent of TVFR makes its annual appearance at the Savage 5K, while Kelly O'Connor made the trek from Northbridge.

Run For Their Future 5K, Nipmuc HS, Upton, MA - May 4, 2013

Rich and Linda each take first place in their age group.