I began and ended my day with group runs in Wellesley on Tuesday, starting with the annual Winter Solstice race at Elm Bank Reservation and finishing with a communal trek across the Wellesley Turkey Trot course that began and ended at The Cottage in Linden Square. Not a bad way to work off all the treats from this past weekend’s cookie swap and holiday parties.
The 5th annual Winter Solstice run, which includes 3 laps around the Elm Bank Reservation road (finishing uphill), let participants off easy with above-freezing temperatures. Runners outfitted with glowing vests and headlamps took off around 6:10am, questioning their sanity and freaking out early morning walkers. Wellesley’s Greg Caiazzo finished first among about 20 people and dogs in 22:05, though all were rewarded with hot drinks served up by superb organizer SeanM — not to mention a great sunrise over the hill.
After work I met up with a festive crew, corralled by Carol Chaoui of Wellesley Turkey Trot fame, that traversed that Turkey Trot course through Wellesley Square and the ghost town that is Wellesley College at this time of year. Marathon Sports organized this run and had New Balance reps on hand to let people try out the latest shoes on their run. The Cottage then cordially invited runners to invade for a while and chow down on appetizers and beverages. Special thanks to other patrons who didn’t let our fragrance get in the way of a good meal.
