MRC Racing Series

2017 was a bit of a test run for the MRC Racing Series. Many clubs have a Grand Prix or race series and many have had them for years. 2017 was our first year with an organized race series.

Some clubs have complex point systems and requirements that need to be met in order for your running to count.

Our series is designed to give everyone an equal chance to win the top prize. And we encourage our newest members to participate and enjoy the running experience.

Melrose Racing Series Awards

Any member of the Melrose Running Club can run one of our races and get a point. You do not need to be in a photo or even wear a club shirt.

We strongly encourage you to wear a club shirt and hope to get everyone one in the group photo at the very least.

Our point system is very simple also: run a race, get a point. No multipliers or bonus points. You can come in last and get as many points as someone who places first overall.

This gives each club member an equal chance to win an award. We hope this simple and fair system encourages all of our new club members to participate in the series.

Often you can get a ride from another club member and all you have to do is run your race.

2017 Melrose Racing Series Awards

Stephanie Koh earned the most points in 2017. She ran a total of 6 out of 11 races. Her prize for 2017 is a free one-year club membership.

We had four people run five races and come in second place:

Derm Cahill
Stephanie Lawson
Andy Brown
Thuy Dang

They will get a club t-shirt.

I will update this post with more details soon.

2018 Melrose Racing Series Awards

The top prize for 2018 is a Melrose Running Club jacket. If you have seen these jackets you know that they are very nice, quality jackets.

To add a bit of a challenge to winning a jacket you have to do more than run more races than anyone else.

For 2018 there will be 14 races. There were just too many for me to keep it to twelve.

To win a jacket you must run 12 of the 14 races.

I know this is a challenge. I organized the races last year and even I couldn’t run them all.

Second place will be a club t-shirt and we still need to work on a 3rd place prize.

Last year the Twin Lights Half was cancelled, but we had two races in October so we still had twelve races.

If one of our scheduled races is cancelled I will add another race later in the year to make up for it.

Race Discounts

Occasionally I am able to get a discount for club members. Currently the Howling Wolf Half is only $40. I do not know how much longer this discount will be available, but for a half marathon this is a bargain.

When I get a discount I will post the code for you on the Melrose Running Club web site.

I hope everyone had fun last year and I hope to see you out there in 2018!

Run well my Friends!

Andy

Hi Everyone,

The 2018 Melrose Racing Series is kicking off  with the 44th Annual 15K Great Stew Chase in Lynn on Sunday January 28th at 10 AM.

The out and back course starts from the Briarcliff Lodge at 177 Lynnfield Street., Lynn and goes to Centennial Park in Peabody. It returns on a similar course to finish in front of the K of C. A water stop at 3 and 6.5 miles. All miles are marked. The course is wheel measured with one “memorable” hill at the half way point.

Registration is $22 all in until January 26th. Race day registration is $25.00. There are no teams to join for this race. Just wear your colors and come and have some fun.

Cupids Chase 5K

On February 10th we have our second race of the series, the Cupids Chase 5K in Wakefield.  The race starts at 10 AM and is very familiar to all of us.

The race starts and ends at the Lakeside Inn, 595 North Ave, Wakefield, MA.

Registration in $29 for Individuals and $35 for Couples.

Day of registration is $35 for Individuals and $65 for Couples.

There are no teams for this race either. Cold Sam Adams will be served after the race to all who are of age.

The Malden Rotary Road Race

New for 2018, The Malden Rotary Road Race offers both a 5K and 10K.

The race is March 24th with the 10K starting at 9:30 and the 5K at 10 AM.

The race is based out of Monsignor Foley Hall, Cheverus School, Ferry Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148.

Post race party includes Mimosas, Bloody Marys and Brunch at the Dockside Restaurant, Centre Street, Malden.

Registration is $30 for the 10K and $25 for the 5K. No team for this race.

This is a less expensive and more convenient race than last year’s Craicfest 5K.

April Race

The race for April is still not decided.  I was planning on the FSI for Autism 5K in Everett, but they still have not posted a date. I’ll give them a few more weeks. If they do not hold the race this year, we will go back to the April Fool’s 4 Miler.

The April Fool’s race is March 31st. A Saturday, but also another March race.

I selected mostly Saturday races this year so that Sunday Long Runners can still participate in the Racing Series. The Great Stew Chase is on a Sunday, but everyone seemed to enjoy that race.

Run well my Friends!

Andy