Week three of the MARS Spring 5K Training Program for grades 6,7,8 was a huge success today.  The kids built on knowledge gained over the last two weeks to do a challenging hill workout today.  They capped off  over 5km of running with a final ascent to the top of Lion’s Lookout.  They are troopers!

MARS Marathoners begin their taper this week.  This is a  great week to come out and see what we are all about.  We will be at Conroy Track at 6:30 a.m. doing mile repeats on Tuesday.  We will be meeting at Tim Horton’s on Highway 60 at noon Thursday for a stride workout.  On Saturday, we will do a dress rehearsal 10-12 miler with the last 4-6 miles at marathon pace.  Come join us, go for a run out and back on lovely Limberlost Road, and have a coffee and “the tingles” afterwards.  If you want to know what the tingles are, you’ll have to show up. If you are really brave, come for a post run swim!

Over the next month, we will be making a summer schedule for MARS summer workouts for kids in or entering high school and any adults wanting to train.  The workouts will be Tuesdays and Saturdays at 6:30 am and Thursday at 6:30 pm.  Details will be posted on our calendar.  We are looking for people willing to lead a few workouts this summer to help the club stay “open for business”.  You do not need to be a fast runner and you also do not need to be an expert, as workouts can be explained to you in detail.  You just need to be a club member, friendly and willing.  Contact us if you’d like to help out with a few days this summer.

Our next Run To The Pub event is Thursday May 22.  Meet 4:30 pm at River Mill Park to run and/or in the Pub at 5:30pm.  Come meet new runners, wish the group heading to Vermont luck and enjoy a pint.

For those of you who like to (really) plan ahead the dates for the fall masters cross country series are listed below.  Why not try out a race, run through mud and act like a teenager again.  Take a chance.  If you’re unsure, train with us this summer and fall to see what it’s all about!

Taylor Creek 5K – Toronto, Sept 28

Don Farquharson Memorial 4K – Toronto, Oct 19

Sunnybrook Park 8K – Toronto, Nov 2

Ontario Cross Country Championships – Nov 16 – Niagara Falls

Canadian Cross Country Championships – Nov 29 – Vancouver

Finally, our friends (and sponsors) at The SportLab will be offering a Woman’s Running Clinic.  Details below:

Women’s Running Clinic

Running Clinic Days:

Wednesday morning (6:45 – 7:45am)
AND/OR
Thursday afternoon (5:15 – 6:15pm)
AND
Sunday morning (7:30 – 9:00am)

Start Date: Wednesday May 21st OR Thursday May 22nd (you choose one or both)

Location: The SportLab (68 West Road, Huntsville); Sunday run locations may vary

Duration: 8 weeks

Cost: $55

Registration: At The SportLab by May 20th; Space is limited to 20 women

See you on the roads!