The original plan for this Sunday was to head back to the hills of the old Melrose Half Marathon route. For those that haven’t forgiven me for that route yet, I have good news. I’ve switched the week 4 and week 7 routes so this week we run Horn Pond instead of Spot Pond! (That means we do Spot Pond in 3 weeks though).
This week run will start at 8AM at Brueggers and head out Wyoming past Spot Pond, the Stone Zoo (watch for the wolves) and down past Friendly’s. Follow North Border Rd (the much flatter relative to South Border Rd of the route you would have been running if not for the last minute switch) past the on ramp to I93N onto Park St. At the set lights turn left onto Marble St and run over I93 to the first water stop.
The next section of the run will take you down Forest St to the Gingerbread Construction Company. Forego the tasty muffin and turn left on Washington St and a right (I think there are lights here now) onto Cross St. This street will bring us to Woburn where a right onto Main St (RTE38) and a quick left onto Lake Ave will bring us to the next water stop at Horn Pond.
Horn Pond is a nice little 2 mile loop. There are a few extra paths that can be used to add on miles. One side route will take you past Woburn Country Club where Jimmy the Bartender has been spotted. Another common sight at Spot Pond is the Muscle Guy, an over developed specimen of a man that runs shirtless around the pond and the waving guy that directs foot traffic around the pond. Extra scavenger hunt points if you spot any of these people. Also not the planet markers along the last stretch of the pond.
After almost a complete loop of the pond the route turns left on Lake Ave and heads back the way we came to water stop 1. Some runners opt to complete the loop of the pond since that adds another stop at the Horn Pond parking lot water stop, but that also adds a few more steps to your run.
After climbing back up Forest St to water stop 1, the route will return to Brueggers via Franklin St. Instead of turning back onto Park St the way we came, continue straight. Go through the lights at Main St in Stoneham, past lights at Pond St, to lights at Franklin. Turn right onto Franklin and search out shade on your way past Stoneham High School into Main. Be prepared for a hot and sunny final stretch as you turn onto Main and head back to Brueggers.
SHORT ROUTE RUNNERS: You have an option this week. You can either follow the prescribed route which runs out to water stop 1 with the long route runners and returns to Brueggers by way of Franklin St or you can start later at Water Stop 1 and run the more scenic middle part of the run with the long runners. You get 7 miles in either way.
For those planning a distance between the long and short route, you can chop 3 miles off your run by starting or stopping at the first water stop. This will also give Barry a car to stash supplies in when he moves over to support us at Spot Pond.
Let us know if you plan at parking at water stop 1. I also suggest if many people plan on starting/stopping there, carpool over, it is a small residential side street and we don’t want to annoy them by parking many cars on their street.
Now that you know what we’re doing, are you in?! Roll Call! Who’s planning on doing what Sunday Morning?
I’ll be there and will be planning on doing the “new” short route. See you all then!
oops just realized my last comment is confusing, I meant to say I’ll do the one to the water stop and back.
Ill see everyone at the water stop on Forest St!
Is there anyone interested in leaving their car at horn pond for water stop #2? I can pick you up there before the run if you want to run the full, or just run from Brueggers to your car. About a 6 mile run…
If not, I have a friend that lives on Cross St less than a mile from Horn Pond and we could use his house.
The scenic 7 sounds like fun! If I read correctly, I believe that means running from the first waterstop, around Horn Pond, and then back to the first waterstop? I am happy to arrange some carpooling for the scenic route runners or help with water stop #2. I can be reached at 781-632-2274 otherwise, I will attempt to park on/near Forest Street by 8 AM.
Oh great, Forest St. I’m going to be happy to see Barry on Sunday! I’ll be there for the full.
I will be there for the full
In for full. That Forest St on the way back is hilly all right.
I will be there for the half starting at Bruegger’s at 8 (right?) to water stop 1 and back to Bruegger’s.
I am in for the full! Not sure if I will be able to helpn out with a water stop though.
I can’t wait!!!!!
Hi, Guys.
I’m a brand newbie (signed up a few weeks ago, but missed last Sunday’s run).
I’m hoping to join you all for the “scenic 7”, which I think means I’m meeting at Horn Pond? What is the name of the side street to park on??
p.s. looking forward to meeting you all! 🙂
I am also a newbie and haven’t been yet either. I am in for the 7!! I am doing 2 before and 2 after the run. See you all at 8AM Sunday!!
I’m in for the full route! See you Sunday!
I’m in for more than the half but less than the full…will probably meet you somewhere between the zoo and Grimsby’s
Allison,
If you want to start and finish at the first water stop, that ends up being about 7 miles.
Ill be at the water stop by 8:15. You can meet up there, or head to Brueggers to meet us for 8am to see if anyone else is doing that route.
Yes Barry is right, The “scenic 7” is starting at water stop 1 and running the middle of the long route, ending back at water stop 1. Either drive to water stop 1 and get there about 8:15 or meet at Brueggers at 8 and carpool over. Once you get there wait for us to get there and then head off. You’ll spend some time with the long route runners through the middle of the run.
Also a reminder. Barry is taking care of water stops, if you run the short route give him a dollar each week, long route give him two. If you’re eating a lot at water stops feel free to tip him even more. This is a self-sustaining activity, if we do it right the club doesn’t pitch any money in for it.
Barry, I have some Gu Chomps from Marathon Sports to add to the buckets.
I’m in for the full. Looks like it should be a beautiful day!
And if anyone has any requests for the water stops, please let me know.
I can get Gu, Cliff, Power bar, etc products at a slight discount.
in for the full
Hi Guys!
I hope to make it! The trip out to Horn Pond is always nicer than the run home!
Ngl
I am in!
I’m in for the short run starting at Brueggers. Have to get back early to bring kids up to camp. Also, made the decision to do a half in the fall instead of a full. My heels were sore for a few days after last weeks run, so I don’t want to push it. See you in the a.m.
I’m in for the scenic half.
I’m in for the scenic half also. My first short long run! See you at WS #1.
I’m in for something 🙂 Close to the full if not the full.
I’m in for whatever my shin allows, see you all @ 8:00
I’m in. I’ll be doing the full route.
I’m in for something between the long and short…see you all in the a.m.!
I’m in for something. Really not in shape for 14. I’ll figure something out before we start. See you in the morning.
I’m in for the full!
I am in for close to the full but not the full.. how about doing the scenic 7 and then running back from Water Stop 1 either the by Spot Pond and Grimsbys or by way of Franklin Street? I want to do like 10-12. Sue and Sue, are you up for that as well?
Erin
I am out this week. Ran the 24 Hour Marathon around Lake Quannie last night for my long run. Will likely be there for the club run Tuesday night though. Have a great run everyone!
uh… Jen not only ran the 24 hour marathon, but WON it! I think she can be excused from the Sunday Long run this week. I, however, have nothing to show for myself, so i’ll be running long.
Allison and Courtney,
looking forward to meeting you!
Looks like I won’t be able to make it. Sorry for the late notice. Too much to do, too little time. Enjoy the nice cool weather!