MRC Racing Series

Here are the standings for February, March and April so far.

In total we have seven participants in the 2021 MRC Racing Series and I am the only guy running in the series. Maybe we can have a male and female winner this year? I’m killing it!

Yvonne Liu Constant	12
Margot Dillon	11
Regina Curran	8
Maria Cavero	5
Jackie Ecker	5
Andy Nagelin	5
Pam Walcott	4

Yvonne and Margot both collected 11 points by running all of the races in the Super Sunday race series. I even managed to collect 4 points from the series.

For 2021 all 5K or shorter races count for 1 point and all races longer than 5K count for 2 points.

This levels the playing field, or the road, for everyone to have a chance at the jacket. With multiple races every month, everyone is still in the running at this point.

The Road Ahead

As we emerge from the COVID lock down more races are going back to in person events.

I’m still reluctant to add in person races to the schedule but it seems to be the only way to add a half or 10K to the schedule in the short term. On May 17th there is the Pinetree Marathon and Half in Portland, ME.

How do you feel about going up to Portland for the half?

In the long run there will be fewer and fewer virtual options. I’m pretty sure that some races will keep a virtual option as it allows people to participate even if they can’t afford to fly to Hawaii or Alaska.

I know some of us enjoyed the virtual halfs in AK and HI last year. Hopefully we can get a group to run those races in person in the next year or two.

While I’m reluctant to add the Portland event, if enough people are interested I’ll add it as our May half.

If you have any suggestions for races over the next few months please pass them along.

May Races

For May I have not added a half marathon, as I mentioned above. All of the halfs I’ve looked at are cancelled or only in person events.

The COVID Comeback 5K on May 2nd is both virtual and in person. Registration for either is only $15.00.

The Melrose Run for Women is a 3.5 mile race so it counts for 2 points. If you haven’t signed up yet you should do so. Your registration fee supports Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) and is an easy way for you to get onto our leader board! Run this virtual race anytime between May 7th and 9th.

The Mystic Herring Run and Paddle will be a virtual event in from May 9th to May 23rd. For $10 you can run their 5K and paddle a 9 mile course on The Mystic. Run AND paddle and you are eligible for the Iron Herring Award!

If you have never paddled on The Mystic you have to check it out!

​The 6TH ANNUAL RUN FOR RECOVERY 5K will be a virtual event between May 14th and 16th.

The event was established 6 years ago to look back and honor those that we’ve lost, and to move forward as a community in support of wellness and recovery. The 2021 event will feature a virtual Festival of community resources, organizations and businesses supporting wellness in recovery and a Tribute honoring those who have been lost to addiction and their families.

Run or walk with us virtually any time over these 3 days on any route you choose. Register by April 30 to get your race shirt. Create a team of family and friends. Set up your own fundraising page in support of the Boston Bulldogs Running Club.

The Gold Star Run for Honor is an in person 5K and 10K in Saugus on May 29th. I will be fully vaccinated by then and feel comfortable running. If you will be vaccinated by then I hope you will join us.

Melrose always has a few runners on the podium and it’s always a good time for everyone.

Happy running!

Andy

I hope everyone is getting out for the occasional run and perhaps training for a race.

For April we have seven 5Ks to choose from, including the BAA Virtual 5K. Most of these should be virtual races or have the option to run virtually.

New Hampshire established guidelines for in-person races earlier this year. Other states have put similar guidelines in place or relaxed their rules.

As time goes on we will see fewer virtual races and fewer with the option to run virtually.

Last year we had a lot of fun running virtual halfs in Hawaii, Alaska and other states.

For April we have the Hapalua Half in Honolulu as our virtual half. You have all month to run this race.

I’ve been looking for a virtual half for May but haven’t found one yet.

Some out-of-state races don’t offer a virtual option. Many local races don’t have dates yet or have moved to later in the year when it is more likely they will be in-person races.

For races that have options for both in-person and virtual running, MRC recommends running virtual.

We are not at the end of this tunnel yet and we urge caution until the situation improves substantially.

May Races

For May there are five 5Ks and one 10K.

The 10K is the Scott Procopio Gold Star 5K and 10K on May 29th in Saugus.

If anyone has an idea for a virtual half that I can add to the schedule for May or June, please let me know.

I will be collecting results for April, so send your results to: anagelin@verizon.net.