Many runners are afraid of speed work because they think it’s going to hurt and be unpleasant, but these workouts are different – they are fun, low-key, and guaranteed to improve your racing times !

The Thursday night SMAC track workouts will resume on April 15, 2010 at the Eaglebrook School, located in Old Deerfield. Runners typically start showing up around 5:30 pm to warm up and stretch, and the first interval goes off at 5:50 pm sharp.

Each week is a different workout, and you are guaranteed to get stronger, fitter and faster. The workouts are emailed out ahead of time, so you’ll know what to expect before you even show up.

Email Barry Auskern at auskernlaw@comcast.net for more information.

My name is Jim Sharp and I am a SMAC member. I am currently looking for teammates for the Josh Billings RunAground to be held in the Berkshires on September 12th of this year. It is a triathlon which includes a 27‑mile cycling leg (which I plan to do), 2 laps (5 miles) around the Stockbridge Bowl‑via kayak or canoe (one person or two person), and a 10 K run across hilly terrain. If you are interested, please contact me via email at JSHARP8@COMCAST.NET. Thanks.

The 2010 Northampton Cross-Country Race Series starts on Tuesday, April 6, at 6:30 p.m. and continues every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. through August 31, then switches to a 6:00 p.m. start for the Tuesdays in September. Last race in the series is Tuesday, Sept. 27.

Races start just past the Northampton Community Gardens on Burts Pit Road in Northampton, one mile west of Northampton center. Please plan to arrive between 5:45 p.m. and race time to register (there is no pre-registration). Adults pay $4.00, runners under age 18 are free.

Course is a USATF sanctioned 5 km (3.1 miles) on dirt road and trails.

For any further information , please call Don Grant at (413) 584-7725.

INTRODUCING THE 2010 SMAC ROAD RACE SERIES

• Ron Hebert Race
• Cave Hill Classic
• Old Homes Day 5K
• Charter Day 10K (a.k.a. Granby 10K Road Race)
• Lake Wyola Race
• 4 on the 4th 
• Bridge of Flowers 10K
• Don Maynard Race
• Jail Break 5K
• Chase’N A Mason 5K
• Dan Barry Memorial Road Race
• Monson Half Marathon

What is it ?    a sampling of 12 fun and challenging road races 

Where is it ?  across Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, from Greenfield to Monson. Click here for a detailed list of races in the series

When is it ?   beginning in April and going through November

Why ?     Why not ???  Some of us run for the sake of competition, others just to participate.  Some of us enjoy the sportsmanship, some do it just for fun.  This series has been put together with all of us in mind, in the hopes that all of us will have a reason to give it a try.  And if that is not enough, how about this ?  Awards will be given to all runners who complete at least 6 of the races in the series, with extra additional special awards for anyone who completes the entire series of 12 races.  There will also be awards for top scorers and other yet-to-be-determined categories.  All to be awarded at an end-of-series recognition ceremony.    

Click here for a complete list of race series rules and an explanation of how race series points are earned.

For updated overall standings, click here

Sound tempting ?  Sign up now !
If you are interested in participating in the 2010 SMAC Road Race Series, please print out and fill out the registration form and send it, with your SMAC Series registration fee of $10, to the address at the bottom of the form.  (The $10 registration fee will help to fund the end-of-series recognition ceremony and awards.)

For all you SMAC'ers out there who are road runners and occasionally venture out to the less traveled byways, we have a treat for you. Mountain Road, Old Farm Road, and Warden's Road, dirt and gravel roads in the Mt. Toby Reservation, are calling you to do a little hill work.  Get together at the Sunderland Town Park and warm up on Mountain Road, stretch out on Old Farm Road, and accept the challenge of Warden's Road to the Mt. Toby firetower.  Some runners say the descent on Warden's Road is as challenging as the accent.  Mt. Toby is a great introduction to trail running on dirt roads without the techincal footing you find on more serious courses. When you get back to the town park there is a wonderful picnic lunch.  We're looking forward to seeing you on Saturday the 22d of August.  Download the application here and send it on in.

It's our mini version of the Mt. Washington Road Race, in your own back yard ! The 5K Summit Run starts on Rt 47 just South of
Mitch's Marina in Hadley. The first 1.25 miles are relatively flat, and then the course heads up the paved road to the summit of Mt.
Holyoke via a series of switchbacks, for a total climb of 800 feet that ends in scenic views of the Pioneer Valley in all directions.
A great way to ramp up for the Fall running season.

Merchandise prizes for all age group winners (male and female).

For more information or to register, download, print out and mail in the
registration form

Click here http://www.signmeup.com/71145 to register online.

Walk or Run!
Start and Finish at Hadley’s West Street Common
Flat Route Past Scenic Farmland
Post Race Party with Locally Grown Food & Music

Download the registration form here
Register on RunReg here
Advance Registration Fee: $18 • Day Of Fee: $20 • Family (2 parents plus 2 kids): $40
T-Shirt with Logo While Supplies Last
To Beneft The Kestrel Trust—Celebrating 40 Years of Land Conservation
Download the Race Flier here