The popular winter races in Springfield's Forest Park will run from now until February.
The Greater Springfield Harriers Snowstorm Classic races begin Saturday morning, starting and finishing near the Forest Park skate house. The 13-race schedule runs through February, alternating between 10K and 5K each week.
The Harriers running club was formed 35 years ago. According to president Peter Stasz, a group of runners consisting of himself, Gary Crowley, Steve Snover, Celio Hernandez, Mike Kelliher, Betty Matthews, Nancy Dauplaise-Dzielinski and Carol L’Esperance O’Connor wanted a low-key weekly race in the winter.
The Harriers, who started the popular Summer Sizzlers series the following summer, were the first local race group to begin keeping individual age-group records. As the races enter their 33rd season, none have been canceled due to inclement weather and the courses have never varied. The 10K course skirts the perimeter of Forest Park, running briefly in Longmeadow, while the 5K route is mostly on the inner roads of the park.
The Harriers’ website has results for every race since its inception. In addition to course and age-group records, there is a Hall of Fame for past winners. Carlos Rivera leads all men with 37 wins while Dawn Roberts leads all women with 33.
About 10 years ago, the Harriers began awarding prizes, which has helped boost attendance. Popular prizes are tickets for the Springfield Symphony and City Stage. The introduction of themed races like Santa Run, New Year’s Run, Groundhog Day Run and Sweetheart Run have helped pique runners’ interest. Some weeks there are over 150 runners.
The start time is 9:30 a.m. and the cost is $5, with runners under 12 paying $2. The Springfield Parks Department has graciously allowed the Harriers to use the skate house. This has given them the ability to have registration inside, offer use of the facilities and provide refreshments after the race so runners can escape the winter elements.
TURKEY CORRECTION: The Sunday Republican inadvertently listed the top 100 runners from last year’s Talking Turkey race in Holyoke. Monday’s newspaper had the correct Top 50 for this year’s 6-mile race held Saturday at Ashley Reservoir. The full results are listed on the Cool Running website.
HOLIDAY GIFTS: My next article will be holiday gift ideas for runners. Suggestions are welcome.
Seth Roberts writes the “On the Run” column biweekly. He can be reached at asethroberts@gmail.com