Rave Run: Amsterdam

Huidenstraat in Amsterdam

JP Morgan Corporate Challenge Recap

The start of the race (picture via JP Morgan)

Last week I ran the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge, taking place on a weekday evening in Boston. The race - which is 3.5 miles - had over 9,000 runners, mostly in large corporate teams. Needless to say, it was a crowded.

The course was almost identical to the BAA 5K. The only difference is that the turnaround point was 0.2 miles further down the road (in Kenmore Square), and the route back was on Commonwealth Ave, rather than Boylston Street. It worked well because the road is wide and it was really easy for people watching to see runners go back and forth. The start and finish line was in between the Boston Common and Public Garden.

The only downside was that the race started about 15-20 minutes late, and the race organizers felt it was necessary to introduce several people from JP Morgan and other sponsors - which only further delayed the start. Otherwise is was a nice, flat and energetic run through Boston on a beautiful and warm evening.

Luxembourg Half Marathon

All smiles after the race

ALast week we travelled to the small country of Luxembourg - nestled in between France, Germany and Belgium. While we were there (in Luxembourg City, the capital), we ran the ING Night Half Marathon, which winds through the beautiful city.

Since it's light out to late in Luxembourg (it get dark after 10 p.m. at the end of May), the 7 p.m. race start time meant we were running the entire half in daylight. It's a bit strange running at night rather than the morning, and changes the way we approached the day.

The race begins and ends outside of the city center, at LuxExpo, which is the convention center serving the city. It's about 3 miles from the center and there are buses that bring runners and spectators back and forth. The course goes through some neighborhoods located outside the city center, winds through the beautiful valley parks, then hits the city center. In the center (and several spots in the neighborhoods) the streets are lined with people - and they're really loud. It had the atmosphere of a major US marathon, which is without a doubt helped by the fact that people can have drinks and food before/while they watch the race (no need to wake up early for this one).

There were about 12,000 runners entered into the race (there was a full marathon as well - many of those folks were running when it finally got dark out). The start location wasn't quite prepared for that many runners and spectators, but once the race began everything was organized and ran smoothly. It was a great way to see a city, and for a city this small, we saw a lot of it. Plus, there's something very unique and special about running through a European city center, where there are cobblestone streets and stunning squares.

After the race there was essentially a carnival both at the finish area and in the city center - people were out and there was tons of food and drinks, making for a run environment. Overall it was a unique and fun experience.

BAA 5K Recap

A fun race and beautiful day in Boston

Over the weekend I ran the BAA 5K. The first time I ran this race was in 2009, which was the inaugural race. The finish line in 2009 was the Boston Marathon finish line - which was awesome. However, due to huge demand (there were over 9,000 runners this year), the BAA switched the course a few years ago. Now it starts and ends at the Boston Common, but everyone still gets to run through the Boston Marathon finish line on the awesome - and very, very flat course.

As I said, this year's race had a LOT of runners, which made for a very crowded and difficult start, especially with three quick turns before reaching Commonwealth Ave. After that it started to spread out and I was able to get into a comfortable pace. The weather was amazing - one of those perfect spring days in Boston.

After the race we made our way over to the marathon expo to check out the scene. It was just starting to get really crowded (like always), so we didn't stay too long.

Overall, it was a great way to start the day, and weekend.

Wellesley Turkey Trot Recap

The start of the race (picture via SwellesleyReport.com)

The past few years I've run the Framingham Turkey Trot, but with a new town comes a new race. So this year I signed up for the Wellesley Turkey Trot to get a fun run in before sitting down for a large meal.

The Wellesley Turkey Trot begins and ends on Linden Street, giving runners a slight uphill in the beginning and downhill at the end. The course goes through the center of town, before winding through the beautiful Wellesley College Campus, then loops back through the center and to the finish line. It's a closed course and brings out lots of people of all ages - it's a true family race.

And the finish line is about 25 feet from a Starbucks so you can get warm after the race.

Overall it's a wonderful race - it has some rolling hills, beautiful scenery and is serious enough for some runners while relaxed enough for others. I'm sure this will become a new annual tradition.

3 Beaches Minimum Half Marathon Recap

The beautiful start and finish location

The first ever 3 Beaches Minimum Half Marathon took place in Boston's South Shore and was a beautiful, winding course along the Atlantic Ocean. No knowing exactly what to expect, I figured I would give the race a try and see what this new half was all about. And I was pleasantly surprised.

Limited to just a couple hundred runners, this course was not closed to traffic. However, the beauty of the course (a long stretch was on Jerusalem Road) was stunning. There were beautiful views of the water, neighborhoods, and for a new race, a lot of crowd support.

The course is full of small hills and isn't prime for a PR, but the out and back race is enjoyable nonetheless. It was also a beautiful day, which helped a lot. It actually reminded me of the Fools Dual Half Marathon because the course felt very similar.

I'm not sure if I'll run it again next year, but it is one that I'd recommend for everyone looking for a fun, small race.

Weston 5 Miler Recap

Runners take off downhill as the race begins

This year I ran my first Weston 5 Miler race, which has been going on for several decades. I wasn't sure what to expect from the evening weekday race, but given that it's put on by Marathon Sports I figured it'd be fun.

It was a beautiful evening to run, and since it starts late in the day the heat wasn't too bad. The race starts and ends at Weston high school right next to the track. It then winds through beautiful neighborhood roads in Weston (towards Wellesley). The windy and gentle hills of the course make it interesting and fun to run, plus the houses we run by are stunning to look at. Then the last mile of the course winds through fields and trails along Weston High School, until the race untimely finishes on the track.

This was an absolutely awesome race to run and I'll be adding it to my annual running calendar in the years ahead.