MRC Racing Series

The 2020 Melrose Racing Series is off to a great start.

In January, we had twenty runners at The Great Stew Chase. The total number of runners at this race has been declining over the past few years so we are on trend there.

On February 2nd we had 49 MRC runners at the Super Sunday races which is the highest turn out for any series race ever!

Judy Dolan did a fantastic job recruiting the team and putting together race day coffee and treats for everyone.

We also had eleven friends and family join the MRC team. This gave us 60 runners and volunteers and made MRC the 8th largest team at the event. Once again we had a team tent to gather in and had our eye on one of those team buses for next year!

The 2020 Point System

Every year the series changes. Some races fade away and some are just not very popular with our runners.

Last year we lost the Howling Wolf Half and replaced it with the Harborside Half and 5K. This year I swapped out the Running of the Leprechauns for the Malden Half and 5K.

Adding a Spring half gives you a chance to accumulate 5 points early in the year. I also increased the points for The Great Stew Chase from two to three points, since it is a 15K.

The maximum points for 2020 will be 26. That includes running both half marathons.

You will need to earn 19 points to qualify for a prize. This is approximately 75% of all possible points. This is the same percentage required last year. There are more points available this year.

You can achieve this without running either half marathon, but you will have to run all of the other races. And all of the two and three point races.

If you have not started yet you can still achieve up to 21 points if you run both halfs. So I hope you consider signing up for the Malden Half.

We have 59 members who have run at least one 5K and they are all in the running for the top prize.

The point system is very simple and the points are tracked for you. We do not give extra points for placing in a race or age group. This tends to favor a handful of runners and we want to give everyone the opportunity to go for the top prize.

Half Marathon = 5 points
15K = 3 points
5 mile or 10K = 2 points
5K, 2.5 or 1 Mile = 1 point

Most races on the schedule have set their race dates and many have opened registration.

As the year goes on I may have to change a race or two. It’s not unusual to have a race cancelled or moved to a date that conflicts with another race. I will only do this if I have to. The current race schedule pretty much set.

Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.

Run well my Friends!

Andy

What a year for the Melrose Running Club Racing Series. 2019 was our third year and had the highest participation with 262 “runners.”

That number includes many people who ran multiple races, many new runners and our Racing Series winners.

Judy Dolan came in first place with 17 points. In addition to being our top runner this year, Judy also captained the Super Sunday race event which had 31 runners.

Mike Dolan and Cynthia Berger came in second place with 13 points.

It was great to see new club members at the races and to see new runners going out for their first 5K or half marathon! That’s what this is all about.

Running is called a solitary sport and often it is. When a group of us go to a race and spend time together afterwards, it doesn’t feel so solitary. I think many of us got to know each other better this year.

2020 Racing Series Calendar

I have updated the Racing Series Calendar to 2020. Registration for races through April is open.

I have swapped out The Running of the Leprechauns for the Malden Half and 5 Miler. They are on the same day in 2020. Malden gives us two race distances to choose from and allows you to get 5 racing points early in the season.

I removed the Cure SMA 5K in August since the club sponsors the Hallmark Health 5K in August.

The rest of the schedule should remain the same as 2019. Occasionally races get cancelled or change their date and that is how we end up with two races in a month sometimes.

I hope everyone had a great 2019 and I look forward to seeing all of you at our 2020 club races.

Run well my Friends,

Andy