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The Needham New Year's Day 5K is now Closed.
We had a wonderful race with an estimated 460 runners.
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Everyone had a great time and the weather was perfect.
Some proceeds from the race went to the Needham Community Council and the YMCA. The YMCA is given a donation because they host our race on January 1st.
The First Annual Needham Backyard Ultra was a huge success. This ultra took place on May 7th, 2022. We had 26 runners who showed up at 8 am. Many new faces and a few old faces, meaning that we have seen them before at other races we have put on or were members of the Needham Running Club
We had a couple of people from out of state. Many people did 3 loops, four completed 9 loops of the 4.17 miles in each loop. And two people did 11 loops, Molly Karp and Daniel Leonard. It was an exciting 12th loop as Molly approached the start line in her green sleeping bag and Daniel was ready to go. As the start bang went off Molly announced that she will not be taking the 12th loop. Daniel started, looked back, and asked if she was running this loop and she said no. He then walked back and said thank you very much for running and then continue on his 12th and final loop. He mentioned that he was ready to run until the next morning. Daniel (bib 156) was the winner and everyone else was DNF.
The weather was perfect for running; overcast, no rain, dry trails, and a perfect 54 degrees.
It seems like everyone had a nice time and talked about their previous and future races.
Every runner had a story and an impressive background. Here were a couple of the many stories:
Jessica Pope ran her first marathon 2 weeks ago and then ran 40 miles of the Needham Backyard Ultra
Mei Li and 6 of her running friends had a great time at their Ultra.
Mike Bates races and crews in a lot of Ultras and had a fun time.
Ilya Bass enjoyed the flowers along the route and brought some home.
There were two husband and wife teams who supported each other during the many loops.
Bruce Lueng completed 9 loops and said he would love to do more Ultras. He also participated in our May Day 2021 Needham Ultra.
We heard feedback that this was a great introduction to the Backyard format and seeing that it was casual and also free it gave many runners a feel for the race.
The Race Directors, Bill Gallagher and Kiko Bracker, chalked up the day as a complete success and are looking forward to next year’s race.
Please check out the pictures from the day.
About our club...
We are a club that is made up of runners, cyclists and triathletes. We formed this group for many reasons but the main reason is to have someone else to train with for all the different races we enjoy. We are open to the public, so anyone can join. We are also a casual group that enjoys the many benefits of running and/or biking together. We have a few different levels of athletes in our group. We welcome all levels, from the casual runner to the Ironman.
Date and times for our running groups:
Mondays: 6am, 5ish miles, Pace high 8s/ low 9s.
Thursdays: 6am, 5ish miles, Pace high 8s/ low 9s.
Saturdays: 6:30am, various lengths 4-8+, paces vary depending on who shows up.
Sundays: 7am, 10+ miles, pace ~7:45.
6:30am at the YMCA pool building on Great Plain Ave.
Please email NeedhamRunningClub1@gmail.com for more information.
Please email us if you want to get on the distribution list, so you can be notified when and which route we will be running on Saturdays. We also run during the week but you need to be on the distribution list for that.
Email us at: NeedhamRunningClub1@gmail.com
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Scholarship Winner
The annual NRC Scholarship was awarded to:
The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to any Needham High School senior* whose essay was selected by the NRC scholarship committee. Applicants were asked to write an essay about why they run.
Kyler McNatt - 2022
Michelle Mittaz - 2021
Lauren Konieczynski - 2020
Abby Healy. - 2019
Abby Healy and her father Liam.
Alison Partridge. - 2018
Bill Gallagher, President of the NRC, awarded the checks to the winners.
* students included any NHS student (whether they live in Needham or not) and any Needham resident who is a high school senior.
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Couch to 5K Program
We have an online Couch to 5K Program which you can use to jump start yourself, your company, school, friends or relatives in running a 5K road race. Anyone can use this free program and follow the suggested training plan. If you have any questions, please me Bill Gallagher (bill.gall3@gmail.com).
Needham also has a great adult ultimate frisbee summer league. More information click here.
Pictures:
John Terry and Russ Tedrake at 2014 Halloween 5K. John was second overall.
Rich, Rick, Kelley and Tamara who all finished the Lake Placid Ironman Race.
First Ironman for all except Rich, which was his second.
Some of the 21 Club members who completed the 2012 BAA Half.
Some of our club members at the BAA 5K in April, 2014.
Mr. Kogo, who was the second place winner (2:10:27) at the Boston Marathon 2013 and the children of a NRC member- Vid Desibhatla.
Resources:
Running Routes around Needham:
Our Wellesley College Route http://www.logyourrun.com/index.php?option=com_routes&task=loadroute&Itemid=46&code=EBobl5cIFcT2ba
This is our regular 4 mile loop around Needham. 3.90 miles. www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=429396
This is the famous Strawberry Hill route 8.24 miles. www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=429399
This is around Needham with some good hill work. 9.16 miles http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=343010
The Needham Ramble, flat loop 8.76 miles, main roads so the snow will be off. http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=88295
Wellesley College/Grove St route. http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=451942
Johnnie Kelley Statue run 5.23 from start to statue. www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=482996
This is the route to the Brookline Route 9 reservoir http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=68512
If you want info on the Needham Kids Track Club - click here
Find us on Facebook: Facebook
Discount code for RunningWarehouse.com is NEEDHAMD
