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The seventh annual Medical Center 6K in downtown Nashua, New Hampshire will be the USATF-NE 6K Championship, and one of seven races to be named to the prestigious New England Grand Prix. The Medical Center 6K joins an impressive list of events for the 2008 series, one of the best USATF Association series in the country. This year’s Medical Center 6K will be held on Mothers' Day, May 11, 2008 in Nashua, New Hampshire beginning at 9:30 a.m. This convenient start time allows everyone to complete their race, get the day off to a great start, and still have plenty of time to spend with Mom or spouse on that special day for mothers of all ages.  There will be $4,300 in prize money offered, including prizes for USATF teams. The race is centrally located, easy to get to from anywhere in New England, offers plenty of parking, terrific venues, pre-race and post-race convenience, and excellent organization. For many this event in downtown Nashua will bring back memories of the old New England Championship 10K, one of the most competitive races in New England during its 10-year reign. The Southern New Hampshire Medical Center really does work diligently to promote wellness and fitness in the community; they created, sponsor, and administer this outstanding event, which includes a 2K walk in addition to the 6K run. As with the old 10K, this race is managed by the Gate City Striders and the Triad Racing Team, known for their excellent organization of such events as the Applefest Half Marathon and Relay, and the USATF-NE Mountain Circuit ten miler, the Pack Monadnock Challenge.  Sponsors for the Medical Center 6K include Foundation Medical Partners, Dartmouth Hitchcock Nashua, Nashua Area Health Care, and Lamprey Health Care, as well as the Nashua Telegraph, and Sodexho. This certified 6K has a scenic course that winds through neighborhoods and along tree-lined roads, through the campus of Rivier College, and along the Nashua Country Club golf course. It has a flat, fast finish. It begins and ends at the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, 10 Prospect Street, in the heart of Nashua. There is an accompanying non-competitive walk so that entire families can participate on Mothers’ Day. The race facilities are excellent, and everyone talks about the post race spread provided. Kara Molloy of Westford, Massachusetts, a Nashua teacher and coach at the time, set the still-standing course record in the inaugural race in 2002 with 21:41. Gate City Striders Coach Keith O’Brien of Chelmsford, Massachusetts also won the first race that year (21:21). Nathan Huppe of Berwick, Maine set the men’s course mark in 2004 at 19:27. Gate City’s Raelyn Crowell of Amherst, New Hampshire won the 2007 race (23:22), as did Alex Brown of neighboring Hudson, New Hampshire (21:21).  The Medical Center’s 6K offers such novel amenities as free team and family photos, terrific raffle (separate ones for runners and for walkers), and a pair of Red Sox tickets each for the woman and man winning the race. It has become known for specialties such as “Dave’s Famous Buffalo Chili”, free post race massage, and lots of fruit and yogurt. And of course, you can spend a morning with Mom, running or walking. After all, this is the kind of event mothers of every age should participate in. Speaking of participating, The Medical Center 6K is taking nominations for a mother to serve as Grand Marshall of the event, including helping to start the race and helping with awards. She will also receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers, symbolic of all mothers participating. You can nominate your mother! Just go to the dropdown on the race Website and make your nomination. One fortunate Mom will be selected for this honor—get your story in now while registering. And for those family members and friends not actually running or walking, you can still participate and win a hat by volunteering, and great way to enjoy the event and gain great satisfaction too. Please see the race Website for Volunteer Opportunities.  Andy Schachat will be the race announcer and provide music and perhaps a trivia or "name that tune" contest while the race is in progress. This race also serves another very important purpose: It is a primary source of funds for Fitness University for Kids, the well known, award-winning fitness/running program administered by the Gate City Striders, now in its 19th year. This program is more important than ever, a significant event in the fight against childhood obesity, a major goal of both the SNHMC and the Gate City Striders. In addition to prize money for the race (and those Red Sox tickets), the female and male winners will each have the opportunity to participate in, and take the title of, “Deans of Fitness” for the Fitness University Finals Day in Nashua in July. Past Deans have included Olympians Joan Samuelson, Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter, Lynn Jennings, and Cathy O’Brien, along with Dick and Rick Hoyt, Robert Parish, Dee Brown, and many others. Check the Race Website for directions. You can also call 603-577-2255 or 800-628-8070 for additional information, or click “contact us” on the race Website for e-mail info. Whatever you do on Mothers’ Day, do not miss this event. There are very few 6K’s. This is your chance to try it out—something a little different for May 11. Set a PR and get your picture taken with Mom or your teammates, or both. USATF-New England Grand Prix The 2008 version kicks off on March 16 with the New Bedford Half Marathon. The Medical Center 6K on May 11 will be the second of seven races, with one each month (except April) through to the Baystate Marathon on October 19. This is the first ever selection to the Grand Prix for both the Medical Center 6K and the neighboring Baystate Marathon. The other races have been included in previous years. The other races selected for the 2008 USATF-New England Championships and Grand Prix:
Please check the USATF-New England Website at www.usatfne.org for additional details and information on scoring and participation. We hope to see you at the New Bedford Half Marathon and the Medical Center 6K. Latest articles in USA: New Hampshire
 The CHaD Hero Half Marathon and Relay — Everyone Can Be a HeroHow many superheroes will fit into the Dartmouth Green? The CHaD Hero Half Marathon and Relay on Saturday, August 29th, in Hanover, New Hampshire, is the place to find out. If you want to run a scenic course that traverses two states, this is your chance. If you want to make a difference in a child's life, this is your opportunity. Also: Event Registration Also: Active Running  Smuttynose Half Marathon and Rockfest: You CAN Always Get What You WantName three things you’re looking for in a fall half marathon. If you said a fast course, live music, and great local beer, then this is your race. The second annual Smuttynose Half Marathon and Rockfest is ready to rock New Hampshire’s seacoast on Sunday, October 4th. Also: Event Website Also: Active Running  Applefest Half Marathon in Hollis, New Hampshire—‘Tis the SeasonApplefest has become a New England tradition, an event with nearly everything runners want. Both the half marathon and two person relay sell out year after year well in advance of race day—for good reason. Also: Event Website Also: Event Registration |
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