Weekly Danvers 5K road race is a hit
By Jean DePlacido
Correspondent
DANVERS — It simply began as a way for the members of Bill Brady’s and Dan Solmon’s rugby team to stay in shape.
It has morphed into a weekly tradition here in Danvers, one that is growing with each passing week.
Brady and Solomon are responsible for starting the weekly 5K Fun Run Road Race, an event that has become popular not only with rugby players, but also those looking for a weekly run to break up their various training routines.
“Dan and I have belonged to running clubs before and we modeled this run after Khoury’s in Somerville, one that’s been going on for a long time,” said Brady.
“Everybody is welcome to join us. There is no fee, and we try to keep everything low key. But we are thinking about asking people to bring a can of food (to the races) that we’ll donate to a local food pantry.”
The 3.1 mile course was designed to eliminate major intersections as much as possible. It is fast and flat, with just a few minor hills along the way. The quick times reflect that, ranging anywhere from 19 to 35 minutes.
Tim Short of Wicked Running Club holds the men’s record in a very fast 18:45, while Jen Howland is the fastest female finisher in 20:27.
Each week times are recorded and available on the website coolrunning.com (more information online at danvers5k.com), but no prizes or trophies are given.
“We want to keep it fun and have a sociable environment to get together,” said Brady, who still runs five days a week. “We end back at Cody’s and they supply water. A lot of people go in for a drink or to talk about their training.
“At some time in the future we wouldn’t mind getting behind the Rails to Trails program or host a race to benefit the community, but we are going slow. We want to be an asset to the community.”
The 5K races started last November and run 52 weeks a year. The average turnout is around 20 runners, which may swell to over 30 on a nice night. The age range runs between 20 years old to over 70.
Brady stressed the starting time as 7 p.m. sharp.
“We did have a couple of cold, wet, miserable nights last winter, but we still got seven runners out one night and three braved the weather the other time,” said Brady. “Dan is now back coaching rugby, and some nights the players can’t make it because of practice, but we have some loyal people from the Wicked Running Club in Salem join us.”
Brady, a Danvers resident, is president of the North Shore Rugby Club while Solomon, a Boston attorney from North Reading, is the coach. Their rugby team plays at the GE Field in West Lynn.
Brady, who is in his 50s, has played rugby since 1978 and still gets in games for the North Shore Club from time to time. He has also run four marathons, including Boston twice.
“I’m taking an Over-40 team to the Old Man of the Mountain tournament this summer (in New Hampshire),” said Brady. “The older guys know how to play without getting hurt. Rugby is a game of fitness, a real running game for 80 minutes so even though most of our players are in their 20s or 30s, they need a conditioning run. I do the 5K just about every week.”
If you go
What: Danvers 5K Fun Run Race
When: Every Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
Where: Starts at Cody Brewing Co., 62 Maple St.
Who: Open to male and females of all ages and experience
