1. Doyle’s 14th Annual Emerald Necklace Road Race
As the spring approaches so does some of my favorite local road races. Here are three races that are worth getting ready for!
Date/Time: April 10th, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Location: Doyle’s Cafe; 3484 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, Ma. 02130
Registration: Online or download a registration form to be mailed in or brought to Doyle’s Cafe.
Cost: $25 for pre-registration/$30 day of race. Proceeds to benefit Sister Jeanne’s Kids Fund and the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums.
Why you should participate:
This 5 mile road race is fairly flat with a scenic course. It’s a great course for beginners or advanced runners looking to get a new PR. The post-race gathering is fantastic. There is free food and refreshments, a DJ and live music inside from the Fenian Brothers. The staff at Doyle’s are very friendly and they make for a great atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this race!
2. The James Joyce Ramble 10K
Date/Time:Date: Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.
Location: Endicott Estate 656 East Street, Dedham, MA
Registration: Online or mail in your registration form
Cost: $35.00 for Pre-Registration/$40.00 for race day registration. All Proceeds from the Ramble are donated to the Claudia Adams-Barr Program at Boston’s Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
Why you should participate:
This 10K is a challenging and fun course. There are actors spread through-out the roads reciting works from James Joyce. This race is very family friendly. There’s a children’s ramble one hour before the race starts and there is plenty of entertainment along with complimentary refreshments post race.
The James Joyce Ramble has been featured in The New York Times, Sports Illustrated,Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal, Runners World, National Public Radio, The Boston Globe, ESPN, New England Runner Magazine among others.
3. The Corrib 5K Road Race
Date: Has not been announced yet. In the past it’s been scheduled for the first Sunday in June
Location: The Corrib Pub, 2030 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132
Registration: Check The Massachusetts Event Calendar on the website Cool Running in a few weeks, and the registration procedure should be posted.
Why you should participate:
This is a quick and challenging 5K course. There are two major hills, but the last quarter mile is all downhill. There is typically a late start (noon) and an amazing post race BBQ. There are complimentary refreshments and lots of activities for children. Last year they had a DJ, moon bounce, face painting and ice cream trucks to name a few of the family attractions. The post-race activities are held at Billings field behind The Corrib and its an event not to be missed.
If you need some motivation to run through the tail end of this winter, think of these three great races as a reason to get moving again.