New England Runner Pub Series at the Halfway Mark
The Portland Trails 10K, 21st annual Bobby Bell Five, and The Paddy’s Shillelagh Shuffle 3 Miler will close out the tenth year in this extraordinary series of races—it is all about the beer.

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By Skip Cleaver
Posted Saturday, 25 August, 2007

This is the tenth season for the New England Runner Pub Series, six carefully selected races with the obvious theme of very enjoyable after-race parties. They have chosen carefully, showing clearly why this brainchild of New England Runner Publishers Bob Fitzgerald and Michelle LeBrun has been so tremendously successful. Keeping the fun in racing, it is a true “hops and malt tour”, as Mr. Fitzgerald likes to say. They are drawing record numbers. Three races have been completed, and three terrific opportunities remain for runners to check out the run/fun combo that has built a loyal—and growing—following.

The classic New England Runner Pub Series taps into its exciting second half with the Portland Trails 10K, the “Trail to Ale”, running in Portland, Maine on September 16. Then comes the innovative and enjoyable Bobby Bell Five Miler in Haverhill, Massachusetts on October 7th. Bobby Bell will be the 60th race in this decade-long barrel of heady fun. The tenth season will close, as it has traditionally five previous years, with Paddy’s Shillelagh Shuffle Three Miler, running in West Newton, Massachusetts on October 21.

The competition is glowing and the taps are flowing for this unique take on a Pub Crawl. There were only two champions in the first seven years of the men’s competition, but 2007 will produce the third winner in as many seasons. Terry McNatt leads the standings with 139 points at the halfway point (he is also the masters leader), with Lorin Obler (124) and Mike Norton (116) in second and third respectively. Joe Navas is in fourth place with 99 and closing fast, although he missed the opening race at Doyle’s.

Paul Hammond won this Brew-ha-ha the first three years, beginning in 1998 (he is in fifth place this year), with Eric Beauschesne of Chelmsford taking four consecutive titles through 2004. Jason Cakouros was the champ in 2005, and Keiron Tumbleton won in 2006 by a single point over Mike Slinsky of New York.

The women’s title has belonged to Christin Donesky, a teacher from Hopkinton, New Hampshire, for the last two seasons. And she is in excellent position for a third consecutive crown this round. (No wonder New England Runner Publisher/Editor Bob Fitzgerald refers to Donesky as the “Pub Queen.”) She has won two of three races, and placed second in the other; and she is defending champ in the two returning races of the second half. She leads by 149 to 129 over Eileen Cakouros. Miae Jacobs, a two time series winner, is in third with 126. Jacobs also leads in the masters division. Last year’s runner-up, Meaghan Shaw, dropped from second after missing the third event, the Brew Run, with an injury.

The second half will be as exciting, entertaining, and refreshing as the first three events. The Portland Trails 10K, a scenic trails tour along the bay and Back Cove in Maine’s largest city, is the only race outside Eastern Massachusetts this year. It was honored again this round after inclusion for the first time in 2006. The Bobby Bell Five returns to the NER Pub Series after nine years. Doyle’s Emerald Necklace Five in Jamaica Plain, which ran April 22, and Paddy’s Shillelagh Shuffle have been the mainstay bookends of this extravaganza. Other Pub contenders rotate though the schedule with a maximum two-year string, after which each must cede their spot in the rotation to another worthy suds chase.

Portland Trails 10K
This race is administered by Portland Trails, a non-profit land trust which maintains over 30 miles of trails in greater Portland. Many of those miles are along the water. Scenic Casco Bay and Back Cove sections are included in the 10K, a flat and outstandingly enjoyable run which ends near primary sponsor, Shipyard Brewing Company. The nickname is “Trail to Ale”, an apt moniker. The race made a big impression on the 437 finishers in last year’s 7th annual.

As with all Pub Series events, the post race brew and outstanding food are key ingredients to success, and Portland Trails presents a great example with their post-race bash. The party will actually be at the Portland Company Complex on Fore Street (just northeast of the State Pier) because of expansion/renovation at the brewery. It is September 16, so don’t miss it. And give yourself some time to explore and enjoy this wonderful, historic, destination city by the bay.

The 21st Annual Bobby Bell
Racing in historic Haverhill, Massachusetts on Sunday, October 7, this event elicits rave reviews year after year because of innovative additions, tremendous organization, the abundance of food, selection of brew options, unbeatable raffle, generous age group merchandise prizes, and the atmosphere of the Lasting Room Pub, which overlooks the Merrimack River. You can raise a glass on the deck that day, or watch the Patriots play the Browns on the many screens available. It has character; it is a jewel.

This is a community event in every sense, with many local businesses contributing prizes to one of the best race raffles in New England. Age group awards go very deep, and are hard to match. Winners are presented with traditional beer glasses and merchandise awards. But the most interesting and innovative aspect of this event is the gender-graded competition. Women and men compete equally, with women receiving gender grading to make everything equitable (women’s times are multiplied by .88 to create this level field). The concept was introduced two years ago with very positive results. Tina Dowling was the overall winner in 2006 (she placed an impressive fourth before the grading factor), and women dominated age group prizes as well. This is an interesting twist to a race that was founded as a men’s alternative to the Bonne Bell (now Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women). The “Battle of the Sexes” has become the “Unity of Runners” with this inventive concept.

Race Director Dave LaBrode does an outstanding job in both planning and race-day administration—he is the founder, and has directed it for 21 consecutive years. He spends many months preparing, including the solicitation of his unbelievable array of raffle prizes. They have excellent classic T-shirts. Mr. LaBrode leaves no stone unturned (check the race sponsor listing), and has the full support of the historic Lasting Room Pub on Washington Street. It is housed in a former shoe factory (thus the name), and is one of the few downtown historic building to survive the tragic fire of 1882. LaBrode is also a key member of the race committee for the famous Mill Cities Relay; he directs the Andover Country Club Cross Country Race, and is President of the Andover Striders.

Paddy’s Shillelagh Shuffle Three Miler
What an outstanding event to close a memorable Decade! Running Sunday, October 21, this race is ideally suited for a fast finish so everyone can get to the bar quickly. This year it will sport chip timing, as the numbers keep increasing--more and more runners and party-goers want to get in on the action.

This race was created as an ideal entrant in the New England Runner Pub Series. And so it has been the finale for the Pub Series from inception. Paddy’s is a true Irish Pub, with many mementoes/antiques from Ireland in evidence all around. It is owned by the O’Hara Brothers, and the race is directed by Mark Kelly, and you can’t get more Irish than that. The course is certified, and mostly flat. But it is the post-race brew offering and outstanding food available that participants remember. The Patriots will play in Miami that afternoon.

Prizes are unique shillelaghs, a traditional Irish cudgel. And you will leave Paddy’s wishing for St. Patrick’s Day to come quickly.

What a Year!
Nearly 5,500 total runners have signed up for the first three events, with 4,794 finishers combined. Each race has grown year on year. And there are reasons—they are tremendously enjoyable. There is a sense of camaraderie and reunion. Participants are enjoying running, good food, and great beer with good friends, old and new.

The first 2007 event was the 11th annual Doyle’s Emerald Necklace Five Mile, which ran April 22 in Jamaica Plain. It traversed Boston’s famous series of parks, from which it takes its name. What a tour! This event is the foundation of the series, and it really requires a visit to this famous watering spot to fully appreciate the atmosphere around this establishment and its race.

The second event was the 14th Corrib Pub Classic 5K in West Roxbury on June 3, the third time it has been included. An outdoor barbeque and accompanying kegs highlighted this extravagant outing. How good was it? It grew from 1,203 finishers in 2006 to 1,570 this year. Sign up early next spring!

Then on August 11th the aptly named Brew Run took center stage in Brewster, Massachusetts. This one, too, went from a little over 1,000 in 2006 to 1,415 finishers this year. It provided a memorable party, a Cape Cod experience that marked the halfway mark in the set.

And a Post-Series Awards Party
The precise date of the traditional Awards Party has not been decided, but it will be held in the famous Fitzgerald (as in Jack Kennedy’s Family) Room at Doyle’s in Jamaica Plain, where it all began last April. It is very probable there will be special awards for the tenth annual. There will definitely be Reebok jackets or pullovers for those completing all six races, and special awards for other categories. Champions will be crowned in all divisions, with recognition adding to the prestige. This party is an invitational—you have to earn your way in by participating in five of six events. Too late this year? Maybe next spring you can get in early for Series Eleven!

Rules are few, but to be scored in the Pub Series, and be eligible for prizes, runners must subscribe to New England Runner magazine from the date of the second race. However, all races are open to all comers, no matter their affiliation or lack thereof. New England Runner is simply the best regional running magazine in the US. And in addition they have one of the most enjoyable and creative race series in the country. It is both turning heads and pouring/drawing them. Draft some running friends, and enjoy some brews. Experience the last three races!

Related info:
> New England Runner Magazine

> Bobby Bell Road Race

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