where does time go?

really, a week ago!

Yes, it has been busy. A little travel last week to visit some friends in Flemington, NJ for the 4th. Then to Philly for nephew Mark's wedding with Jessie on Saturday. The drive home on Sunday was uneventful. All the major traffic was going the other way.

Washington's Crossing

Along the way, I ran a 5K race on the morning of the 4th in Washington's Crossing Park in PA. It was a warm day but the race went off at 8:30 in the morning so it was not bad at all.

Where does your time go?

Road race planning for non-profits

There are a number of Franklin based non-profits conducting a road race as a fundraiser for their organization. As a life long runner and volunteer on the board of a non-profit, this is a happy junction of interests! 

Some of the organizations are relatively new to the race arena, so I thought it would make sense for the organizers to get together. Those with experience can share the best of what they have learned. 

Perhaps the awareness of the other races can be shared with each others mailing list? Perhaps the scheduling of some of the races can be spread around the calendar to avoid conflicts. Such learning and sharing should help all to create a more successful race for their respective organizations.

Who would NOT want a more successful race?

• More runners
• Better prepared to execute the race
• Less hassles
• More communications about the race/cause

I spent a few minutes this morning in Google looking for best practices in road race organization. Some of these links you may have found before but if not, they may be helpful to take from them to create a better race. 

Resources

A road race planning guide from RunBritain
http://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/Events/Additional%20Guidance/Downloads/item30919.pdf

Road Runners Club of America
http://www.rrca.org/event-directors/resources/

Individual shares his best practices via YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIX9DBbozmw

From the Run/Walk/Ride organization, a collection of articles around best practices in fundraising and race management
http://www.runwalkride.com/bestpractices.asp

Road Race Management offers a book for members and non-members
http://www.rrm.com/manual/manualweb.htm

Active.Com has a section on fundraising
http://www.activegiving.com/resources-overview.htm

They also offer services like event management
http://www.activenetwork.com/software/event-and-activity-management.htm

USA Track & Field Association documents on long distance running
http://www.usatf.org/groups/officials/resources/long-distance-running/


Chicago Area Runners Association has this link with some good info
http://www.cararuns.org/Racing/Race%20Directors/Race%20Director%20Packet.aspx

These general guidelines largely address administrative tasks.   Use this

checklist as a guide to elements which make for a well-conceived and executed

race.

http://www.cararuns.org/Racing/Race%20Directors/~/media/Files/2010_GENERAL%20GUIDELINES_web.ashx

Do you have any road race best practices that you would like to share?

Please leave a comment or send me an email!

Here are your results from todays Irish 5K

The race started promptly at 11:00 AM. Note the time stamp on the email header. Within an hour of the finish, an email with your individual results. Not bad at all!

I'll be proud to wear my new shirt!


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, Mar 5, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Subject: Here are your results from todays Irish 5K

                  Irish 5K, 1st of the Tour de Patrick
             3 Great 5K Races 3 great Parades 3 great Cities
                      Pawtucket, RI, March 5, 2011
           For corrections, please email bill.rozen@gmail.com

                 Congratulations, here are your results

              Complete Race Results at www.coolrunning.com
                  Searchable Results at www.active.com

Name - Stephen Sherlock

Your Chip Time -   25:39    Your Gun Time -   26:18

Overall Place -   221 Division Place - 26    Sex Place - 182   Your pace per mile -  8:16

We hope to see you and your friends next week at the Celtic 5K in Worcester, MA

Thank You

from Yankee Timing

Pawtucket on my mind

I will be heading 'home' this morning to run the Irish 5K in Pawtucket, RI. Home as Pawtucket  is where I grew up and lived until after college when I began the journey. The journey that made stops in NJ, IL, NJ (again) and back to New England before settling here in Franklin, MA.

Where will the road go from here?
Who knows. Likely not anytime soon.

The journey that I summarized in Sep 2006 with a guest post on Rosa Say's Talking Story blog.

Who will I reconnect with in Pawtucket?

What will it feel like running those streets again?

Stay tuned!

Gloria Gemma 5K Run/Walk

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Gloria Gemma 5K set for October 9, 2010 Please join us on Saturday,October 9, 2010 for the 2nd Annual Gloria Gemma 5K at Flames of Hope: A Celebration of Life. The Gloria Gemma 5K will start and finish on Francis Street in front of the Rhode Island State House.    CLICK HERE to register for the Gloria Gemma 5K now.   The Gloria Gemma 5K will be held in conjunction with Flames of Hope, A Celebration of Life at WaterFire on Saturday, October 9, 2010. The Gloria Gemma 5K is open to runners, walkers and walkers with dogs! Help us continue the fight against breast cancer! With our new registration site you have the ability to fundraise if you choose to do so, it is optional. A portion of what we raise from the 5K will be donated to the RI Department of Health Women's Cancer Screening Program. The more we can raise... together the more we can give.   This year we have added some exciting features: For our serious runners: This race will be timed by the Yankee Timing Company We will be utilizing the newly introduced Bib Tag or B-Tag               Prizes will be awarded to our top finishers For our teams: We have great prizes to be awarded to our highest fundraising teams ranging from dinners at local restaurants to featured articles in print media after the race. For our individual participants: We have gift certificates, dinners and much more in store! Continue to check out our Awards and Prizes link for the latest details. For our walker & their furry friends: Each registered dog will receive a "doggie goodie bag" We will have many pet friendly activities on race morning "Top Dog" awards for our most "Pinked up Pup" and highest fundraising dog Click here to register now!  Visit our website at http://www.gloriagemma5k.org  for further details.

Gene Lavanchy talks up the HMEA 5K

Gene Lavanchy, a long time supporter of HMEA, talks about this Sunday's event with former NE Patriot Steve Nelson and Doung MacPherson of HMEA.




Gov Deval Patrick is a recent addition to those participating Sunday. If you are going to register for the 5K Sunday, I'll be at the registration desk to help you.

See you Sunday!

Why you should help HMEA?

What happens on May 23rd?

Who is HMEA?

Why you should help?

These questions and more can be answered in this brief video.




If you'd like to register to run or walk, you can go to HMEA.org.
If you'd like to contribute as part of my fund raising page, there is a widget on this page or here: http://www.firstgiving.com/stephensherlock

I hope to see you on May 23rd!


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Steve's 2 Cents to view the video.

HMEA 5K Race/Walk - May 23rd

What happens on May 23rd?

Who is HMEA?

Why you should help?

These questions and more can be answered in this brief video.




If you'd like to register to run or walk, you can go to HMEA.org.
If you'd like to contribute as part of my fund raising page, there is a widget on this page or here: http://www.firstgiving.com/stephensherlock

I hope to see you on May 23rd!

HMEA 5K Race/Walk - May 23rd

The Horace Mann Education Associates - HMEA, Inc. is located here in Franklin, MA but their effective service delivery is to over 100 communities in MA.

HMEA has a long history of providing innovative services in school, at work, at home and in the community and now serve over 2400 children and adults with developmental disabilities. Services include: Residential, Day and Family supports, and services for children.

HMEA's Employment Programs provides people with disabilities the opportunity to pursue meaningful employment either on a full- or part-time basis. For people in the Employment Program who work part-time, HMEA encourages volunteering for community organizations, or leisure and recreation activities to supplement their day.

HMEA's Employment Programs serve people 22 years of age and older who live within the commuting distance of program locations in the following cities and towns: Bellingham, Clinton, Hopedale, Plainville and Worcester

The annual fund raiser for HMEA is the 5K Race/Walk and Family Fun Day scheduled for May 23, 2010. 

From Passionate Runner

SAVE THE DATE...Sunday, May 23, 2010 HMEA's 9th Annual Independence 5K Walk/Run in the Park - MARK YOUR CALENDARS and grab your sneakers to participate in this "Fun-filled Family Day fundraising event...

This event, which is hosted by our good friends at EMC2 Corporation in Franklin, MA gathers 2,000 or more people to help HMEA continue its mission to make a difference in people's lives. AND, all the money raised is returned to the many programs at HMEA, which supports 2,400 children and adults with intellectual challenges and developmental disabilities.

Once again we have Gene Lavanchy from Fox News25 and tentatively Gail Huff from WCVB-TV Channel performing hosting duties for us. And our great friends and inspiration to many, "TEAM HOYT", Dick and Rick will be on hand again this year -- plus we're pretty sure there will be a few other celebrities and mascots on hand as well!

So come on down and participate in the fun...there's raffle prizes, food, tee shirts for participants (while they last), prizes, a Kids Corner filled with games and activities, a Kids "FUN RUN" and so much more... 

In addition to working the road race registration table (and providing splits at the 2 mile mark), I have decided to help HMEA do some fund raising this year.

I love the quote from Horace Mann that they use on their History page:

"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity"

You can help the HMEA make a difference with a donation. I have a widget in the center column of this and my other blogs, should you choose to donate an amount within your means.

I will appreciate it.
The HMEA clients you help will too!

-----

If you would like to register for the race you can do so here
http://www.hmea.org/events.html

If you'd like you can contribute in one of several options directly through the HMEA website here
http://www.hmea.org/donations.html