Races Around the Seacoast

Sunday, June 12, 2016 · Mike Davis

Good morning! Even before the explosion of running on the Seacoast there was the “Market Square 10K”. A local favorite for its running course around historic Portsmouth as well as the involvement of the community. “Market Square Day” is an annual event that closes off downtown Portsmouth so that locals (and others) can enjoy meandering the crafts and tasting the normal fair foods. Kicking off the day with a 10K has added adds an important element to the day that has created a dynamic combination. While many of the Seacoast races have been enhanced by being a part of the “Seacoast Series”, this 10K certainly needs no enticement to sell all of its bibs. One of the really special parts of this race is how it weaves around Portsmouth and allows for the locals to line various parts of the course and cheer on the runners. Running for a personal record (PR) is challenging not only because of the potential for warmer running conditions but, also because of the many turns through downtown Portsmouth. While both of these may be a deterrent, they are also part of what makes “Market Square” fun and special. Being able to take in the crowds and hearing “Eye of the Tiger” are all special and often far outweigh the need for a “PR”. I have not been able to run “Market Square” in many years because of coaching a group for the event and this year I was in a different state. Certainly in the future I will attempt to work my visits back to New Hampshire around this time so that I can take part of the fun. The next race that I may certainly look at scheduling a visit back to New Hampshire will be the “York Days 5K”. That race has certainly benefited by being part of the “Seacoast Series” but, many have come to enjoy the running along Long Sands beach in York. While I enjoy the course, I really enjoy this race for all the people I get to see. Over the years I have been blessed to meet so many people through coaching and it seems like many of them run the “York Days 5K”. It is such a treat to see so many that I have come to consider as friends and to know that they are still running is even cooler! This race is not quite the spectator event as “Market Square” but, it still has a fair amount of amount of local flavor because of the run along Long Sands. Also it is fun to come running into the parking lot and have many people lined up to cheer you through the finish. Another race that can be challenging because of the time of year but, a nice course and a great communal feel to it. The next race next 2 races I would certainly add to my running plans are: “Dover’s Apple Harvest 5K” and the “White Mountain Miler’s Half Marathon”. “Apple Harvest 5K” is in early October while the “White Mountain Half Miler’s” half is at the end of that month. Both races are smaller yet offer great courses that are also community based races. I will chat more about them in the future but I am a huge fan of both and will always try to include them in my planning. The “White Mountain” half is a part of “No Finish Line Running’s” training series and is definitely something I highly recommend for beginner to intermediate half marathoners. More to come in the in the near future. The temperatures are challenging here in North Carolina right now with unseasonable temps for even here in the south. This week we will have a couple days of 100 degrees, so running will be interesting. Time to get along. Have a great week and hope to see you on the road! God Bless! Mike