Week 7 – Good Bye Old Friendly’s

Last Week – We had a good crowd come out on a frigid day to explore the streets of Stoneham and the Winchester Highlands. The hilly course challenged us all, working those muscles you’ll need late in the Boston Marathon.

This Week – We’ll be heading out the same start as last week, but working away over to the now defunct Friendly’s at Spot Pond. The full route will circle the backside of the pond, but then head out to the Fellsway East hills. The half route is very much the same as last week’s route, but with a trip to Friendly’s instead of Winchester. It’s been cold this week, but should warm up a bit for Sunday.

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The Start – The whole crew will head up Main Street, past Ell Pond where you can tip your hat to Clarence DeMar. If this is your first season with us, you may not have noticed that there is a monument to Clarence DeMar along Ell Pond, remembering a legendary Boston Marathoner who lived and trained in Melrose a century ago. After you pass Clarence, continue on to Franklin Street, where you’ll turn left and climb up to Stoneham. Unlike last week, you’ll continue on Franklin all the way to Stoneham Square, turning left at the end of Franklin on to Main Street. Main Street will bring you up towards Spot Pond. Cross to the right side for a water stop at Friendly’s 4 miles into your run.

Half Finish – Close out your half route, turn left at the lights onto South Street, which will become Pond Street. Follow that past the Stone Zoo and turn left to bring you down to Grimsby’s. Turn left onto the Lynn Fells Parkway, run up past Melrose High School, turning right onto Melrose Street and right again onto Main to finish up your 7.2 Mile run.

Full 2 – The long route will head out straight from Friendly’s around the back side of Spot Pond. Run along the Fellsway West, past the Sheepfold and turn left when you get to Elm Street, which will bring you up to the Highland rotary. Turn right this week, following Highland Ave. The water stop will be somewhere along the Fellway East end of Highland, find it for your next drink.

Full 3 – Leaving the water stop continue along Highland Ave to the traffic circle at the Fellsway East. Now climb up towards the eastern section of the Middlesex Fells, over the two hills I know you’re growing to love, and wind down yourself down to Grimsbys. Turn left and do your best to climb Pond Street back up to Spot Pond. Turn right, pass the Stone Zoo and head back to Friendly’s. Have another drink before finishing your long run.

Full Finish – Head back up Main Street to Stoneham Square, turning right on Franklin Street. Continue back to Main Street in Melrose where you turn right to get back to Brueggers after 14.3 miles behind you.

Water Stops – Two water stops, manned by a combo of Derm at Friendly’s and me at Highland Ave. I will likely join in at Highland and run some modified SLR.

Roll Call – Who’s in?

21 Responses to “Week 7 – Good Bye Old Friendly’s”

  1. Thuy Dang says:

    Mary, Julie and I are in for the full. Ty!

  2. Valerie says:

    In for the half thank you!

  3. Yvonne LC says:

    Full, thanks!

  4. Matt Sazama says:

    IFTH-Thanks, Jim & Derm!

  5. Cynthia Berger says:

    In for the half

  6. Michael McLaughlin says:

    In for the full. Thanks

  7. Marty says:

    Sarah and I are in for the FULL.

  8. Haecha D says:

    I’m in for the full! Thanks!!

  9. Andy N says:

    IFTF

  10. Jessica Crispin says:

    Christina and I are in for the full. Thank you

  11. Donna Leggiero says:

    Audrey and I are in for the half. Thank you!

  12. Mark Rosenblum says:

    IFTH and a rare Sunday morning appearance!

  13. Bradley T Michaels says:

    In for the Half

  14. Judy Dolan says:

    In for the half. Thank you

  15. Kikroy says:

    IFTH

  16. Maryanne Martin says:

    In for the half…thank you!

  17. Joe Terranova says:

    In for the full. Thanks

  18. Roy Mounier says:

    IFTF

  19. Jackie Ecker says:

    In for the full. Thanks.

  20. Brendan says:

    IFTF

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