MRC Racing Series

Summer is finally here and we are half-way through the 2024 MRC Racing Series.

As of June 10th, 46 runners have participated in at least one race, which is on track with last year.

Because Yankee Homecoming will be held on July 30th this tear, we do not have an August race. If you know of a local 5K that we could add to the schedule, please let me know.

This year we have four multi-distance races, including two that are still on the schedule:

Boxford July 4th races – 5 mile, 2.5 mile and 1 mile  – on July 4th
Irish American 5K and 10K – on September 4th

We have the race series to encourage everyone to go to races. It’s a great way to meet new people and get to know other club members better. And races are a lot of fun!

We also select races that support causes that are important to club members. We added the DAV 5K in 2021, Black Excellence 5K in 2022 and the AAPI 5K this year.

And while it’s not all about the points, we do keep track of them.

Here are the standings for our top 8 runners:

Mary O’Connell 8 points
Julie Galvin 7 points
Joshua McLeary 7 points
Ed Miller  7 points
Lynda Ford  5 points
Thuy Dang  5 points
Regina Curran  4 points
Marty Hergert  4 points

We have five more races for 2024 and I hope you get to sign up for a race you’ve never run and have a great time.

Andy

It’s been a while since our last update on the racing series.

The big news is that 71 club members have run in at least one racing series race and I think 9 Walk to Run graduates ran the Irish American 5K. Last year 72 club members ran at least one race.

There were a lot of great photos posted to Facebook, so I’ll just include this group photo. We are missing a few runners, but it is rare to get everyone together for a photo 10 minutes before a race!

It was a hot day once again for the Irish American 5K and 10K. Fortunately there was plenty of cold beer and hot dogs after the race. The official food and beverage of summer must be beer and hot dogs!

Once again, MRC cleaned up on the awards with several AG placers. I’ll add the names once I fact check my self!

As far as series standings go, Ed Miller maintained 1st place by running the 10K and accumulating 9 points. Christine Derse maintained 2nd place by running the 5K and accumulating 6 points.

Fall Racing Series into the Winter

Our next race is the Melrose Y Spooky Sprint 5K on Saturday, October 28th 8:30AM. The registration link is live and registration is $30 and $20 for youth 17 and under. So bring the entire family!

Next up is the DAV 5K on Castle Island in South Boston on Saturday, November 11th at Noon. The registration link is live and registration is $40 and $15 for Veterans. It’s a fun race, the after party is great and you are supporting our local Veterans.

Our last race of 2023 is the Somerville Jingle Bell Run 5K. They have not updated the event site from last year, but I wont be concerned for another month.

As you all know, it’s a very popular race and I can’t imagine it would just go away.

In November I’ll begin putting together the 2024 Melrose Racing Series schedule. If you have a race that you would like to see become part of the series, please forward the information to me. Any race on a Saturday during Sunday Long Run seasons gets bonus points!

Run well my Friends,
Andy