Tag: Mill Cities Relay

Final logistics info for 2022 Mill Cities Relay

Next Sunday is the Mill Cities Relay and below is all the final race-day and logistics information. Captains should be in contact with you this week to discuss leg assignments, carpooling, etc.

IMPORTANT: If, for any reason, you can no longer make the race, please let your team captain know as soon as possible, as this may impact our eligibility to score points and we may need to inform the organization about this.

We will meet at Stark Brewing Co in Manchester between 6 and 6:15 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 4.

Captains will collect race fees from each participant. The cost to run for paid club members is $10. If you haven’t paid for 2022, you can pay dues the morning of and it will cover you for 2023. The race fee + the club registration is $40.

After collecting fees, captains will bring the money to Muriel Saliba and she will provide the team’s race packet.

We will have club branded buffs for anyone who wants one and GMRC singlets for sale for $20. Please see Timm Huffman if you are interested. Cash, check, or Venmo will be accepted, but no IOUs.

Once the packets are handed out, each team will carpool to the start at Eagles Hall in Nashua, shooting to leave Manchester by 6:30 a.m. The race starts at 8 a.m. Eagles Hall has bathrooms and there are several food/coffee options nearby.

The race ends at the Claddagh Pub in Lawrence, MA. Many will stay for a pint, lunch and awards ceremony. Others will leave early. If you need a ride home before the team leaves, or want to stay longer, please talk to your captain and they can help get you a ride home.

Since this is a marathon-distance relay, most teams can expect to be finished running between 10:30 and 12. The race ends at Claddough Pub, Claddagh Pub, 399 Canal St, Lawrence, MA, and lunch is included.

For captains/team drivers, here is the link to the course information and locations/maps for the transitions: https://millcitiesrelay.com/race-info/course/.

Additional notes on race-day logistics

  • Prior to the start of the race, get an estimate of how long each runner takes to complete their leg. This will help you determine how much time you have between transition zones.
  • Drive to Transition 1 (Leg 2). All teams need to leave the Eagles Wing Function Hall 5-10 minutes before the start of the race to avoid being caught up behind the racers, as there is a spot where the runners cross the highway on route 3 and if you get caught behind that you might not make transition 1. 
  • After the handoff, collect your runner and proceed to transition 2 (Leg 3). Leg 3 is short (2.5 miles) and should take your runner between 14-20 minutes to complete. With this tight margin, it may be necessary to drop runner 3 at transition 2, then proceed immediately to transition 3 to drop runner 4, circling back to pick-up runner 2 before grabbing runner 3 on your way to support runner 4 on the long leg.
  • Leg 4 is a nine-miler and you will have plenty of time to support your runner a couple of times, but be sure to arrive at transition 4 on time.
  • You can support runner 5 early on, but you should hustle to the finish line, as some streets are blocked off and the drive can take a while.

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Updates: Mill Cities Relay, winter group runs

As I sit here at my kitchen counter to share some updates, I can’t believe the summer months have already slipped by and the trees are well on their way to shedding all their leaves (the oaks in my backyard still have plenty, but they are always the last to go).

Anyway, the days are getting shorter and with the time change just around the corner, which means we will begin Wednesday night runs from the Derryfield Country Club park and ride lot on November 9. The group heads out at 5:30 p.m. and there are options for distances ranging from 3 – 9 miles. Be sure to bring reflective gear and a headlamp. Our friends over at Runner’s Alley have a great selection of night running gear if you need something.

Next up is Mill Cities Relay (Sunday, Dec. 4). Cap’n John held a round table last week and we built a number of scoring teams and assigned captains, who should be reaching out to you soon. If you have an idea for your own team, please reach out. Also, we do our best to keep track of runners year-over-year, but inevitably will miss a name or two, so please speak up if you don’t hear from someone soon.

Finally, the board met and voted to not hold the annual holiday party moving forward. In the past, this has been a fairly costly endeavor and, due to the time of year, it seems a large portion of the club is unable to attend. Instead, we’ll look to host a pre-season kickoff sometime after the new year and more social events throughout the year.

Alright, that’s it for now. Stay tuned for more updates on Mill Cities and other activities throughout the fall and winter.

Timm Huffman

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Mill Cities Relay final info & holiday party reminder

Next Sunday is the Mill Cities Relay and GMRC will be well represented with about 80 runners. The Cap’n thinks we will be strong contenders for top club this year. Below are the final details and don’t forget to come out to the holiday party this Friday at The Great North Aleworks ($10/person, RSVPs are encouraged)!

Mill Cities Relay Details:
Meet at 6:15 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 5, at Stark Brewing Company, 500 N. Commercial St., Manchester, NH. It is a little early but this will give folks time to meet and figure out what vehicles will be used.  In years past, I know some folks have needed to get home earlier than carpool will allow. If this is the case, please speak up, so we can plan rides/carpools accordingly.

Captains will also collect $10 from each runner.

We will carpool to the start of the relay at Eagles Wing Function Hall, 10 Spruce Street, Nashua, NH.

The relay starts at 8 a.m. 

Since this is a marathon-distance relay, most teams can expect to be finished running between 10:30 and 12. The race ends at Claddough Pub, Claddagh Pub, 399 Canal St, Lawrence, MA, and lunch is included.

For captains/team drivers, here is the link to the course information and locations/maps for the transitions: https://millcitiesrelay.com/race-info/course/.

Additional notes for the race from the Cap’n:

  • Prior to the start of the race, get an estimate of how long each runner takes to complete their leg. This will help you determine how much time you have between transition zones.
  • Drive to Transition 1 (Leg 2). All teams need to leave the Eagles Wing Function Hall 5-10 minutes before the start of the race to avoid being caught up behind the racers, as there is a spot where the runners cross the highway on route 3 and if you get caught behind that you might not make transition 1. 
  • After the handoff, collect your runner and proceed to transition 2 (Leg 3). Leg 3 is short (2.5 miles) and should take your runner between 14-20 minutes to complete. With this tight margin, it may be necessary to drop runner 3 at transition 2, then proceed immediately to transition 3 to drop runner 4, circling back to pick-up runner 2 before grabbing runner 3 on your way to support runner 4 on the long leg.
  • Leg 4 is a nine-miler and you will have plenty of time to support your runner a couple of times, but be sure to arrive at transition 4 on time.
     
  • You can support runner 5 early on, but you should hustle to the finish line, as some streets are blocked off and the drive can take a while.

Questions? Contact Timm Huffman.

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It’s time for Mill Cities Relay

After a one year hiatus due to COVID, we are excited to resume participation in Mill Cities Relay, December 5, 2021. The cost for club members is just $10.

Also, save the date for our annual club holiday party, December 3, 2021.

While I could write a nice summary of the race, I’m going to defer to the words of the Cap’n, John Stanzel, from a recent email thread.

“It’s been a while since I have weighed in with my perspective on running, competing–life. Sometimes of course life, be it Covid or cars (as some/most likely know your Cap’n was on the losing end of a bike + car encounter) gets in the way of fitness. But my injuries and Covid are now behind us, & there are no excuses for making some noise at this years Mill Cities Relay on 12/5/21. Before we go any further with this missive, lets be clear on Pete’s assumption “Know that he will be proud of your effort and expect a bit more.”  Nope. Pete’s heart is in the right place–but here is what you should know by now — I don’t expect a bit more, I expect a lot more. And nowhere can you exceed your own running expectations than by running a relay race. Running every step knowing that it doesn’t improve your standing in the race like your usual Santa shuffle. No. You are running your best so that you don’t let your teammates down–so that the team score/time is the best it can be. And when GMRC, when your neighborhood running club comes in top three–THEN I will be proud of your effort. Plz mark Dec 5 on your calendar–its been a long 18 months but finally, fitness & camaraderie is calling.”   Cap’n John

If you’re interested in participating in one of the club relay teams, please email Muriel Saliba with your name, age, and 5k goal pace.

Thanks and looking forward to racing with you!

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