Group Runs: One of Many Perks of the FPC Boston Marathon Charity Team

One of the biggest perks and greatest parts about the 2012 Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Charity Team was taking advantage of a group run schedule. Each week, members of the team were able to gather and build mileage together, while talking about the joys of fundraising and working for the good of the Coalition as well as learning about their fellow teammates. Our group runs took us along the sea through Salem and Beverly on the North Shore, on the track at Reggie Lewis, and through the streets of the Boston Marathon Course. We also raced together at the Great Stew Chase in Lynn and the Hyannis Half Marathon on Cape Cod. 

Through these runs, we were able to build lasting friendships and many have trained and raced together throughout the summer and fall months. Our coaching was provided by Mike Toomey of Toomey Sports Running Center and we were able to share the highs and lows of training for the world's greatest marathon with one of the area's greatest coaches.

If you're look for a charity to run and have fun with, we hope you'll check us out! 

Team Spirit in the Brighton Bangers Running Club

Laura Derderian was a member of the 2012 Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon team (pictured to the left with returning team member Shari Hewson). She and her husband Arra were so inspired by the camaraderie from the team and from members of the Forest Hills Runners in JP and the Wicked Running Club in Salem that they set out to form their own club in their nook of Brighton--the Brighton Bangers.

Group runs go on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings with an optional rehydration stop at the infamous Last Drop. The group has been growing over the summer months and Laura and Arra hope to keep the momentum up. Both have felt extremely rewarded in working with both experienced and inexperienced runners and helping all to meet their goals while getting fit and having fun.

Arra and 2012 team member Owen Kendall hitting
the Atlantic in February for a post Hyannis
Half Marathon Ice Bath.

If you want to be a part of the 2013 Boston Marathon team, those are certainly our goals, too--be fit and have fun. We offer an incredible amount of support both on the run and for your fundraising and encourage you to contact our Marathon Charity Team Leader, Julie Arrison, at julie@franklinparkcoalition.org to learn more.

In the meantime, if you find yourself in Brighton on some Wednesday night with the need for a run, find the Bangers for a good time. (http://www.brightonbangers.com/).

Politicians on the Run in JP this Weekend

This just in from our partners at the Forest Hills Runners: you can meet up with local Boston city councillor, Matt O'Malley on Saturday, October 20. He and members of the Forest Hills Runners group will meet at 9:30 a.m. at Daisy Field, which is located at the corner of the Jamaicaway and Bynner Street.

To see the entire article and a snippet from the last meeting with the Parkway runners of West Roxbury, click here: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/jamaica_plain/2012/10/councilor_omalley_to_hold_runn.html