End of the Season

The Maynard Cross Country team's inaugural season will be ending with a whimper.

Due to declining turnout over the last week, today's practice will be our last of the season.  For anyone on the team who were counting on one last race, Fresh Pond this Saturday is still a possibility.  It is open to all runners, and there is no formal entry process or fee.  See me to make arrangements.

As far as I can tell, there is still some interest in a team dinner on Friday.  Since I will be unable to attend, see Jeff to help plan for the event.

Wayland Cross Country Festival

Five Maynard XC runners arrived at Wayland High School on Sunday, ready to take on a wide variety of runners in the Wayland Cross Country Festival.  This would be their only chance this season to get a feel for what real cross country racing is all about.  The course ran slow, most likely from the many hills on the course, and the Maynard runners struggled a bit with the tough course and the 5k distance.

Once again Jeff and Janel led the way for MXC.  In the co-ed race, Jeff finished in 30th place with a time of 21:56, and Janel was 57th (17th female), running 26:13.  Rounding out the roster were Kevin (61st), Franny (80th), and Kassie (81st).

Unfortunately, only two cross country runners made it to practice on Tuesday after the long weekend.  Hopefully this is not a trend that will continue through the end of the season.

Upcoming events:

Week of 10/13
Practices on Tuesday and Thursday (3pm start)

Week of 10/20
Practices on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (3pm start)
Friday, 10/24: Cross Country team dinner (details TBD)
Saturday, 10/25: Final team race of the season-- Fresh Pond, Cambridge

Marlborough Main Street Mile 2014

Four members of the Maynard High School cross country team toed the line for the 10th annual Marlborough Main Street Mile on Sunday, October 5.  All four runners came home with a new mile PR.  Conditions were good, and the point-to-point course was quick.

Leading the way was Jeff, who ran 5:06.99, over ten seconds off his previous best.  This was good enough for tenth place, and second in his age group.  Janel was the top girl, running 6:05.99.  Janel was the fourth female finisher on the day.  Franny and Kassie rounded out the Maynard finishers, running 6:55.54 and 6:59.67 respectively.

Practices this week will be on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, as the team gears up for its biggest test of the season, the Wayland Cross Country Challenge, this Sunday, October 12.

Maynard Road Race 2014

With temperatures in the low 60s, Saturday was a perfect day for a fall road race.  Saturday also marked the start of the cross country season with the Maynard Road Race.

Jeff led the way for the XC team with a 20:51 finish (6:43 pace per mile), good for 20th overall in the 5k race.  He was followed closely by Max (21:22: 6:53 pace, 26th place) and Michael (22:09: 7:08 pace, 32nd).  Kevin finished in 93rd place, with a time of 25:59 (8:22 pace).

The lone representative for the girls was Janel, who ran a great race.  She was the 3rd overall female finisher and first in her age group, running 23:04 (7:26 pace).

Practice this week will be Tuesday and Thursday, as the team prepares for the Marlborough Main Street Mile on October 5.

Group runs: week of August 25

Group runs this week:
Monday (8/25), Wednesday (8/27) and Friday (8/29)-- 3:00pm

Maynard XC 2014 schedule

Cross Country Schedule 2014

September

Saturday, 9/13—Maynard 5K road race, 10:00 am (11:00 race start)

Memorial Park at corner of Summer and Nason Streets

“Exciting mostly flat race route starting and ending in Maynard center and weaving through surrounding neighborhoods. There will be music and activities for adults and children before and after the races.  All proceeds benefit programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Assabet Valley, located in Maynard.”

Entry fee: $30 ($35 on race day)

October

Sunday, 10/5—Marlborough Main Street Mile, 8:45 am (9:45 race start)

Prospector East Saloon—520 Lincoln Street, Marlborough

“A one mile fun run, all downhill.”

Entry fee: TBA

Sunday, 10/12—Wayland XC Festival (5K), 9:30 am (10:30 race start)

Wayland High School—264 Old Connecticut Path, Wayland

“A fun and challenging cross-country race through fields and wooded trails.”

Entry fee: TBA

Saturday, 10/25—Saturday Fresh Pond Races (2.5 miles), 9:00 am (10:00 race start)

Cambridge Water Department—250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge

2.5 mile race around Fresh Pond

Entry fee: none

Summer Training: Week of August 18

Group runs this week:
Wednesday (8/20) and Friday (8/22)-- 6:00pm, leaving from MHS athletic entrance