The Narragansett Running Association expresses its deepest sympathies to the victims of yesterday’s tragedy at the Boston Marathon. Our thoughts are with everyone who was affected, including the Boston Marathon organizers and all first responders. We know that the Boston Marathon–the greatest of all marathons–will continue its tradition of excellence and our members will continue to support it as both participants and spectators. All proceeds of the 2013 Gansett marathon will be used to support the victims and their families.

With many of our members gearing up for the Boston Marathon, here’s a shot from 2011. This is Dave and Tim closing in on the finish.

“This was at the corner of Comm Ave and Hereford Ave about a half mile from the finish. I caught a wilting Tim on Comm Ave, maybe a half mile before this, he perked up a bit and we ran together up to Boylston, where he smoked it to the finish line. I hadn’t seen him at all before this.”

If you’re running the Super 5K, here’s some info about the raffle:

Attention runners who will participate in the 9th Annual Super 5K race on Sunday 3 FEB 2013. We have received numerous items to be raffled off in support of our SUPER 5K fundraiser.
We ask that you please pay particular attention to the rules that we will follow for this year’s raffle.

1. Tickets will be $1 for single tickets and $5 for an arm’s length (12 tickets). Tickets are on sale for runners and spectators a like and will go on sale as soon as we set up.

2. Bags will be set up telling you what item(s) you are placing your ticket stub into. Please do not lose your ticket stub.

3. Ticket sales will close 15 mins after the race begins. No exception.

4. Winning tickets will be drawn and then immediately posted on a large poster board so you will know upon return from the race if your ticket is a winner.

5. Please do not leave the race before checking to see if your ticket is a winner (YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO PICK UP YOUR RAFFLE PRIZE).

6. The following is a list of the donated items to be raffled off:

$50 gift card from the Newport Restaurant Group good at any of the following locations: In Newport: Castle Hil, 22 Bowen’s, The Mooring, or Smoke House; In Providence: Hemenway’s or Waterman Grille; In Tiverton: Boat House; In Narragansett: Trio
$25 gift card from Tickets Bar and Grille, in Middletown, RI

$25 gift card from the Brick Alley Pub, Thames Street, in Newport, RI

(4) Pairs of Tickets for Beer and Rum Tasting at Newport Storm Beer & Thomas Tew Rum Tasting Room, Connell Highway, Newport, RI (4 winners will be chosen to receive a pair of passes). Passes are valued at $18 a piece.

One Newport Storm Fleece (size large) (color blue) from Harvard Square with Newport Storm logo (half zip with pockets)

One pair of Newport Storm logo pint glasses

$20 gift card for Mama Leone’s Restaurant, Connell Highway, Newport, RI at the rotary next to Sullivan Tire.

$25 gift card for Rhody Joe’s Restaurant in Wakefield, RI

(3) $10 gift card for Smoothy Booty Cafe (3 winners will be chosen)

(2) $10 gift card for Bagelz in Wakefield, RI (2 winners will be chosen)

(6) $25 gift cards for Pier Pizza in Narragansett, RI (6 winners will be chosen)

(5) Free Entries into any TRIMOM Race (5 winners will be chosen)

(6) $25 gift cards from Camire’s Running Store in Wakefield, RI (6 winners will be chosen)

(2) $25 gift cards from Bike Stop Cafe and (1) $10 gift card (3 winners will be chosen) new restaurant on corner of Boon and Congdon

(2) $25 gift cards from Twin Willows (2 winners will be chosen)

(1) Bracelette valued at $50 from Jason & Company, Thames Street, Newport RI

(1) $20 gift card for Tony’s Pizza in Peacedale, RI

(2) $25 gift card for bowling at Old Mountain Lanes, in Wakefield, RI

Please plan to bring some extra money to purchase raffle tickets and to thank the above business owners who have given so generously to this year’s NRA Super 5K race.
Thank you.

Here’s a long overdue shout out to the NRA members who traveled to Philly in November (2012) for the Philadelphia Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. It was a big group, so I won’t try to name everyone, but there are probably a few familiar faces in the following post-race photo:

News from Murray Norcross: On Friday, December 14, the Newport Fed Pie Run Committee gave $3000 to to our Youth Track Series fund. Dave Tetreault (center) accepted the check. Also pictured are Paul Simone (left) and Kevin McCarthy, CEO, Newport Fed Bank. Also attending the awards program were Ric Thornton, Murray Norcross, Ryan Blazejewski, and Ray Isacco. Over 1300 runners (and 500 walkers) participated in this year’s Thanksgiving day 5-mile Pie Run. The Narragansett Running Association deeply appreciates this generous gift.

Here is the 2013 application form:

Super 5K 2013 Reg Form

Just a link to the information flier:

Nooseneck 18K2012

If you attended the NRA summer party, and stayed late enough, you enjoyed the cake pictured below.  Its multicolored frosting depicts the seven continents of the world.  They are North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia.  Days before the party, Peter Barbera and Vinny Hey returned from Australia, where they completed a marathon.  This particular marathon finish represented the seventh and final finish in Peter’s several-year quest to run a marathon on every continent.

This was an individual quest, but various NRA members tagged along, including Mary and Fred (Galapagos, South America), Jim C. (Ireland), Suksoo (Korea) and, of course, Betsy (Africa, among others).  Peter completed this seven-continent quest in a remarkably short time, but also performed remarkably well at the individual races, finishing in the top three overall in Antarctica and South America, and setting a lifetime PR in North America (Gansett).  Besides congratulating Peter, we also thank him for wearing the NRA colors at each race and giving NRA “stuff” (shirts, etc.) to the local people.  Pictured below are Peter, Mary and Fred in the Galapagos Islands.

The Newport wing of the NRA recently had a surprise 60th birthday party for Ray Isaaco at Tickets in Middletown RI.  To the club, Ray is appreciated  as enthusiastic  member, a reliable volunteer, and a good friend to many.  This news is post-worthy not only because of all that Ray does for the running club, but also because the photo below includes faces that will be familiar to many readers of this blog.

September 29: Rick Cota finished the brutally-hilly New Hampshire Marathon as part of the latest Hockomock Swamp Rat Grand Pricks Series.  This grueling contest consists of 27 unique and devastatingly-difficult races spread out over a year-long series.  In the words of HSR-founder and RAT leader Peter Wallan, “This is indeed an award worth running to the knife edge of social an athletic oblivion for.”  Indeed.  Rick, by the way, leads the series after four races.  He will keep us posted.

90 kilometers away, and 24 hours later…

September 30: Genevra Stewart finishes the Clarence DeMar Marathon in 3:32:22, which qualifies her for the Gansett Marathon.  This was Gen’s second marathon (the first being the 90-degree Boston 2012), and represents a 53-minute PR.  In addition, Gen was third woman overall, and first in the 30-39 age group.  Pictured here is Gen accepting her award.