I’ve heard you all had a good run though Breakheart last Saturday, and that most of you enjoyed a great MRC party Saturday night. This week we return to Sunday, and it’s time to take the Sunday Long Run out to Spot Pond, a place you’ll visit a few times on your journey to a spring marathon or half. You’ll be meeting at the Knights of Columbus again, but this week you’ll head upstairs to gather.
The run starts out heading south on Main Street towards Malden. Pass Dunkin Donuts and turn right at the next set of lights onto West Wyoming Ave. Follow that to a set of lights at JJ Grimsby’s and turn left onto the Fellsway East. If you haven’t run with us before, and you’re new to the Melrose area, get ready for some hills. Now these hills are different than last weeks. Instead of short and steep, they’re more of a long incline. Every time you run these hills they’ll get a bit easier. Love the hills, they’ll love you back. After each long up hill you’ll get a little downhill. Run through the hills, through a set of lights, and down to a traffic circle. Turn right there onto Highland Avenue. Follow Highland to the water stop, usually parked on the left side of the road as you’re approaching Spot Pond.
After the stop, if you’re running short you’ll run past a rotary, past the Flynn Rink, and along the front side of Spot Pond (from a Melrosian point of view). Follow that up to Pond Street where you’ll turn right bringing you down to JJ Grimsby’s again. At Gruimsby’s turn left onto the LynnFells Parkway. Follow that up past Melrose High School to Melrose Street, where you’ll turn right. Turn right again on to Main and make your way back to the Knights of Columbus.
Running long? Leave the stop and go left at the rotary on to Elm Street. Here you’ll circle Spot Pond. Follow Elm, turn right onto Main Street (Rte28), follow that under I93, past the Sheepfold, over I93, and turn right at the Straw Point parking lot at Spot Pond. I’m not sure of the water stop situation this week since I’m so far away, but sometimes someone provides a little water here. If so, have some. If not, keep running. Run through the parking lot and turn right when you come out heading along the pond, past the Stone Zoo continuing all the way back past the Flynn Rink to the rotary. On the other side of the rotary will be Highland Ave… and that water stop you left a little while ago.
After that stop continue on Highland and take your first left onto East Border Road. There’s a nice hill there to climb. When you get to a set of lights turn left and you’ll be back on the Fellsway East. Guess what? Those hills are still there. Run them, ride the downhill past Grimsby’s onto the LynnFells Parkway and keep going. You’ll eventually pass Melrose High School. After that take a right onto Melrose Street and another right onto Main. Follow Main back to the Knights of Columbus.
Water Stops. I think Don Keren is helping once again. I better get back soon or Courtney will start holding a “Don Keren’s water stops are the best!” sign.
Ok, that’s it from me. Who’s in for this week’s SLR? ROLL CALL!
IFTF. Thanks!
I will be running the full distance
In for the short please Jim! Thank you
In for the full. Thanks!
IFTF!! Thanks!
Thanks Jim. I know that Don has the two Highland water stops covered and don’t think anyone up to this point has volunteered for Straw Point parking lot at Spot Pond. I believe Don should have all the supplies if anyone is interested.
Also, Mike Quigley will be at the Knights between 7:30-7:45 am to unlock the doors. People can leave keys and bags upstairs if needed. He will lock up once eveone is done.
Thanks!
P.S. Courtney is already holding the signs up so you better come back soon! lol
I’m in for the half.
Hey Alicia, Christine and I will take care of that Straw Point Parking lot water stop, I will check with Don in the morning for supplies.
see you in the morning,
Mike Fitzgerald and Christine
In for the full (hopefully I won’t get lost)!!!
IFTF
Thanks water stoppers! Relieved is not today or we’ll need canoes
In for the full
Kenny McCowan will also be running the full. TY.
In for the half. Thank you!
Full. thx!
Full, in for I am. Thanks.
In for the full!! Thank you!!
I’m in for the half! Thanks!
In for the full!
Brian S and I are doing half. Thanks
I plan on doing the full.Thanks!
In for the full. Thanks!
Half for me
I am in for the half. Thanks, Erin
In for the full
In for the full. Thanks!
In for the half. Thanks!
I’m in for the half. Go Pats!
Christina and I are in for the half. Thank you
I’ll be there for the long run. Thanks.
I’m in for the full – thanks.
Thuy and I are in for full. Thank you!!!
In for the full.
Full!
In for the half, possibly more 🙂
Hi – am staying in Melrose at the weekend but training for London Marathon! Need a long run (2.5hrs) which for my pace is about 14/15 miles. Now long is route described (I’m from Fife where we also have lots of hills!) and is is mostly road? I am planning to run on Saturday whilst rest of my friends are walking/cycling. Many thanks for any advice or good runs!
Hi Susan, sorry I am just seeing this now! All the routes posted here are road (and have sidewalks or a decent shoulder to run in).
Hope this helps, and good luck in London!