North Shore Runfest 10K, Salem

Notch Brewing and Notch Run Club was hosting the USATF New England 10K Road Race Championship in Salem. The forecast of cooler temperatures (60’s) and rain was spot on but did not dampen the spirit of over 900 pre-registered runners for the 9AM start on Congress Street. I ran a chip time of 52:49 (8:29 / mile pace) a year ago. I felt that a goal of 8:00 pace was possible with a 5K time trial four days ago of the same effort. 

I warmed up for about a mile before getting into the start line around peers who would be breaking 50 minutes. The course headed down Derby Street, through the Salem Willows, coming back to central Salem taking the mile 3 spot near the Hawthorne Hotel with and average of 7:50 per mile. Mission accomplished but many puddles and only have way done. Heading down Lafayette Street got me thinking about the Salem State College days – a long time ago, seeing the Sullivan Building in the distance before heading into Forest River Park where many xc workouts took place with the team. Mile splits turned into the low 8’s from there to the finish line with quiet back roads parallel to Lafayette Street. 

I crossed the new finish line, now steps away from Notch Brewing with a chip time of 49:36 (7:58 / mile pace). I placed 50^th out of 69 in the old guy category. I felt good about the effort. Good work in planning for, well, I guess some cross country race distances from 5K to 8K in the next two plus months into the fall. 

Splits: 744, 753, 752, 800, 810, 810, 743 (last .24) 

North Shore Runfest 10K 2025 Full Results

North Shore Runfest 10K

I had some weekend plans change allowing me to run a 10K road race on Sunday in Salem. As you will see in the results, there was a plethora of Notch runners. I warmed up for a less than a mile to test out the left leg which has been sore. I lined up for the start far enough back from the start line to stay out of trouble. The weather was perfect with the sun and slight breeze. The course took the race from Congress Street (Shetland Park) out to the Salem Willows and back making it almost three miles by the time the race reached Lafayette Street. My mile paces were hovering about eight and a half minutes throughout. The last three miles was along Lafayette Street taking a left at Salem State, through Forest River Park and meandered the side streets back to Congress Street. I finished in a “chip time” of 52:49 and place of 167. The clock time was 53:27. 

North Shore Runfest's 10k Run/Walk!

Name: James Pawlicki

Bib: 167

Gun Time: 53:27

Chip Time: 52:49

Chip Pace: 8:29

Overall Place: 154 of 419

Gender Rank: 124 of 228

Age Group Rank: 32/49 

Capital City Classic 10K

C.A.R.S race number 3 was hosted by Runner's Alley in Concord, NH with the Capital City Classic 10K. The 8AM start was met with warm and muggy air under bright sun. A strong field of 300 plus enjoyed a mass-start, my first of which,  post-Covid. I started 12 rows back. Jumped out at the start and settled in with no sense of urgency. 

The 7:00 flat opening mile gave me no confidence that I was going to run any faster for the next 5 miles. Each mile thereafter slowed down. After 4 miles, there was a hill that seemed to break some or make some. A few began to walk. I had dead legs on the backside and saw my slowest mile of 8:08. I rallied a bit in the last 400m to find 73rd place and find a 7:39 pace, 47:29 chip time. I grabbed a water and had a seat in the shade for a few minutes.

I went for a slow cool down with the Duct Tape and Spit guys (Dave Dunham, Doug Deangelis, and Darren Brown) who placed 2nd as a team. My right calf cramped so bailed before another mile. Looking forward to the next race but a few degrees cooler or with a lower dew point.

Cohasset Rotary Road Race by the Sea 10K

With the Frank Nealon Boston Tune Up 15K cancelled early on Saturday, I started to consider a replacement race for the weekend. The Cohasset Rotary Road Race by the Sea 10K was an option for Sunday. Dan and Katrina Vassallo were heading down to the race. We picked up Gregory Putnam on the way. Dan has a lot of history at this race (multiple wins) while it was also a local one for Gregory when he lived on the South Shore. I got feedback from both on the course terrain and what to expect which was emphasis on a rolling course after 2.5 miles.

The three CMS jacketed amigos strutted into registration. 2/3 of these guys were locks for overall win and masters win. Me? Get in a hard effort before Boston, break in the shoes, and not embarrass the CMS singlet. I rolled out at the start, finding a 5:42 opening mile on Atlantic Ave. I was in about 13^th place. A few strides ahead, I noted what looked like another master runner in a black singlet (Dave Dugan). He was popular among the few spectators on the course. I caught up to him at mile two, the ocean visible to our right. The hills came upon us. I would lose a few strides to Dave going up the hills but I would rebound on the other side with some effort.

The race course took a 90 degree left onto Forest Ave, off Jerusalem Rd, with us now leaving the scenic ocean to our right hand side. It was the steepest hill so far and it took the wind out of my sails (actually all of them did). Dave went by me with encouraging words. Once at the top, I managed to reel him back in and get back ahead of him. Kids were now on the course sporadically, seeking high fives so I reached out. Must have made their day! I passed by any and all water stops along the way. 4 miles went by and it started to get quiet behind me. I did not want to peek pack, just wanted to keep the pressure on myself. I would keep in touch with the applause behind me from there to the finish. Dave was close all the way to the end where I was just 9 seconds up on Dave at the finish line. I placed 8^th overall, 2^nd master behind Gregory (by 2.5 minutes), with a time of 37:02 (5:58 per mile pace).

I turned back to acknowledge Dave for the battle during the race. I headed out for a cool down with Dan (he got the win with his best time on the course) and Gregory. They planned on the 3.75 loop that we warmed up on. I cut that short and went through another neighborhood that dropped me right off to the finish line and common area (about 2 miles). Anthony Everett, news anchor and host of Chronicle, handled the awards and called out the winners, top 3 in each age group in an expedited fashion. The age group winners walked into the hall and did a sweep of one of three tables according to your place. My 2^nd place got me a small swag bag from the race sponsors. Earlier, I scored a 1980’s style trucker hat from a free bin. That was worth it. 

Lone Gull 10K

The USATF New England Road Race Grand Prix continued with the 6^th of 7 races this year with the 10^th Annual Lone Gull 10K in Gloucester. I warmed up with Joe Shairs, Gregory Putnam, Tim Van Orden and Martin Tighe. The conditions were perfect. Soon enough, I got into the starting area, six rows back. A good clean start rolled out. This is one of the best courses I see all year in terms of the scenery with the ocean within view for 75 percent of the course. I settled into the race in the opening mile seeing a 5:43 and moved up a few spots to rock with some Whirlaway guys: Scott Anderson, Mike Cooney, and Charlie Bemis. I heard 11:30 for mile two and was focusing on catching up with Dave Dunham about five seconds up. This led to my fastest mile of the day to mile three (5:36). 

I caught Dave around there but my momentum did not last too long. I felt flat in the stretch up St Louis Ave and Farrington Ave where Dave and I started to get some verbal support from Matt Curran who was on the bike. I bounced back a bit on Atlantic Rd to keep pace and connect again with Dave in the final mile. I pushed up the hill at mile six and came down to the finishing  stretch. I held Dave off but Charlie Bemis zipped by as I got over the finish line with a gun time of 36:07 (chip time of 36:02, 102^nd place overall) – a little slower than my 35:45 from last year. 2016 Lone Gull 10K results. The Central Mass Striders masters team placed 2nd to BAA. Next few races coming up: USATF Masters National 5K Championship in Syracuse and BAA Half Marathon.  Mile splits below. 

5:43

5:45

5:36

5:48

5:46

5:53

5:46 for the last .3

Friday Night Lights 10,000m

I jumped into a 10,000 meter track race on Friday night. It was hosted by the Western Mass Distance Project and Greater Boston Track Club. This is the 2nd year of the race, however, the field was expanded out for extra heats to allow for athletes to participate in the USATF New England Championship (for the outdoor track meet to be held on July 29 & 30). It was also available for All Terrain Runner points which was my objective. I was not going to participate in a 10K on a track but this opportunity came up and this was the last chance.

My heat, #2, was scheduled to start at 7:40PM at Danehy Park in Cambridge (800 meters from Fresh Pond and the Alwife T-stop). It was a hot night with some lightning that followed after my race. That lightning delayed the elite women's race by a half hour. I passed a few runners during the 25 lap race, as well as, got passed by the top four runners in the race which was won by TJ Unger who ran just under 34 minutes. My quickest lap was my last one, 84 seconds. My slowest lap was the 14th in 91 seconds. It looks like I had five laps at 90 seconds, all of which came after that 91 in the second half of the race.

The top master of the race, Chad Carr passed me during the race. I managed to keep him close in the last 8 laps of my race. His presence helped me stay somewhat focused in the long and hot race. I finished in 12th place, 36:42.9, in the heat (not bad considering I was seed # 31) and 2nd master runner. I was pretty exhausted as I could see that in everyone out there competing. Thank you Stephen Peckiconis for tracking my lap splits and more importantly, keeping count of my laps. He was also keeping track of Patrick Bugbee's laps too. Also, I need to thank Dave Dunham and Krissy for the vocal support during the race.

Level Renner 10K

I headed down to D.W. Field Park, the gem in Brockton for the Level Renner 10K with Joe Shairs, Gregory Putnam, and Krissy. We met up with Dan Vassallo and looked for the rest of our team. Where were the other four guys? DL? We were concerned with team not scoring. We needed a few more to cross the finish line. I could not convince Eric Narcisi to put the Dunkin flatbread and Iced Mocha down and jog for a 10K. Actually, he was in the midst of race duty so he was out. I swung a last minute deal for Dave Kraal and Samuel Fazioli to run with us.

Joe and I ran together for the 1st mile and a half under a mix of shade and sun. It was warm. The 1st mile was around 5:46 and I heard a 2nd mile split that just about doubled that. Up tower hill for the 2nd time, I ran with Jake Barnett for the next couple of miles during the rolling hills before he woke up and dusted me by 33 ticks. I stayed in the same position, 13th all the way to the finish line, in an exhausted manner. I posted up an average of 5:51 pace per mile, and 36:19, with zero turn-over in the last two miles.

Kevin Balance, CEO of Level Renner enterprises and team put on a good show for the 200+ runners. Tons of raffle prizes were given away. Our team picked up the first place prize which was cool. My 3rd place age group got me a gift certificate to Charles River Running in Norwood. I gave it to Dave as he lives in Weymouth - a lot closer to him. Lastly, my bib number was called pretty early and afforded me a New Balance gift card for some new kicks. All in all, a pretty good day for all.

I am back at it with a last minute decision to run in the Friday Night Lights 10K for some All Terrain points.

KrissyK SmugMug 2016 Level Renner 10K photos
Scott Mason photos
2016 Level Renner 10K results

Joe Shairs and I after the first climb up tower hill. Dave Kraal has the white hat behind Joe.
Photo by KrissyK

Jake Barnett and I just after the 2nd climb up Tower Hill around 2.25 miles
Photo by KrissyK

3rd and final time past Tower Hill and to the finish
Photo by KrissyK

Asbury Grove Wiener Run 10K

Asics Gel Hyperspeed 6

Roger Perham and I

First time for me to race Roger Perhams's Wiener 10K out of Asbury Grove in Hamilton. Krissy reminded me of the race while she was driving home from work and I said sure why not. It sounded better than a planned interval workout. We drove over and parked among 10 other cars. I expected a small crowd for a Tuesday evening race. I caught up with the Rich family who live 50 yards from the start and finish. Patrick is nursing a knee issue and turns 40 in August. Now for the race, starting at 6:30. I put on the Asics Gel Hyperspeed 6 that I picked up on Saturday from Whirlaway. 

Pretty good course here from Asbury Grove, through Bradley Palmer Statre Park and back to the Grove. I was hitting low sixes early while leading the race. I was focused but rather chill with the previous day that provided a 5K effort at the same pace.

The 2nd half rolls but I negative split this to make sure I finished under a six minute mile average. I did see a deer on a field at 4.3 miles which was cool to see - reminding me that yes, I am in the country side on a summer night. My last two miles were under six minute pace. 1st overall., 36:54 off my watch and recall official results were 36:56. Hot Dogs, burgers, watermelon, beans, et cetera for a ten spot on a weeknight is a bargain.

Mile splits and course

Level Renner 10K Brockton

With team prize money in the offering along with solid competition for all age groups, the Central Mass Striders ran in the humid air of a beautiful DW Field on Sunday, July 19. The course is multiple loops on the access road with a beast of a hill referred to as Tower Hill just after the start, 2 miles, and at the end. This course is not for whimps. Race director Kevin Gorman, founder and CEO of Level Renner was all smiles as my car of Krissy and Joe Shairs arrived. Soon I would see CMS mates Dan Vassallo, Dave Dunham, Arthur Besse, Greg Putnam, & Scott Deslongchamps. I started out with a pace (mile 1, 5:41) that could not be held but felt my race position among peers was correct (top 20). Miles 3 and 4 hurt while pace slowed to the six’s which lost me a few places. I came through the line pretty wiped out with a time of 36:30 (5:53/mile average) and 15^th place, 5^th 40+ runner.  We got the win but it was not easy. Dan took 2^nd and Greg won the master category with Joe 2^nd. They picked up some well-earned dough.  The raffles that followed created quite a buzz of anticipation for all. I expect the race to only grow in participants and teams in the future.

2015 Level Renner 10K photos by KrissyK

Level Renner 10K 2015 race results

Into the finish line

Less than half way

Joe, Dan, Greg (Eveline on shoulders), I, Arthur, & Dave

James Joyce Ramble USATF National Masters 10K Championship

I ran a pretty good race today, placing 11th overall (net time of 34:42 and gun time of 34:44) in the USATF National Masters 10K Championship hosted via James Joyce Ramble in Dedham. The masters championship had their own race that started three minutes ahead of the non-masters championship event. I got through mile 1 with Dan Verrington. My goal was to hit his goal of a mid 34 minute effort. Joe Shairs was with Todd Callaghan about 15 seconds ahead and Greg Putnam was in between us around mile 2 as I started to move up in place through the rolling hills. I was hitting the climbing with good effort and got through the Noble and Greenough school with a confident command that I could reel in more guys. I went by Kevin O'Neal (BAA) whom I don't recall ever getting in front of. I gave him some words of encouragement, respecting his speed. Greg was just ahead so I went after him while battling a tall gent from the Atlanta Track Club. I caught up to Greg and we soon passed Christopher Lawrence from the BAA with Todd and Joe not too far ahead within a mile to go. We managed to close in on Todd with 150 yards to go and our pack of three flooded the finish line to place 2nd as a team by only one second (every second counts) over the BAA and behind the winning Atlanta Track Club. The CMS Senior Team raced well too and placed 4th overall. It was cool to accomplish this with these guys and hang out after the race on the Endicott Estate. I have to give a warm and appreciated shout to Kevin Gorman who seemed to be at several points on the course cheering us along. It really helped.

2015 USATF National Masters 10K Championship (James Joyce Ramble) results
KrissyK photos of the James Joyce Ramble 10K

Greg, Todd and I coming toward Krissy and the finish line

Split (pace) via Garmin
5:36
5:30
5:34
5:45
5:26
5:33
5:15 pace for the last .3
Net Time 34:42
Gun Time 34:44
average pace 5:36

2. 1:43:59 CENTRAL MASS STRIDERS                   (  34:40)
==================================================
  1    34:32  Joe Shairs            Peabody MA      CENTRAL MASS STRIDERS                  
  2    34:43  Todd Callaghan    Beverly MA        CENTRAL MASS STRIDERS                  
  3    34:44  James Pawlicki     Lynn MA            CENTRAL MASS STRIDERS                  
  4 (  34:45) Greg Putnam        Stoneham MA    CENTRAL MASS STRIDERS

Lone Gull 10K - Gloucester

Sunday lined up the Lone Gull 10K in Gloucester which was race six of the USATF New England Road Race Grand Prix. The weather conditions were awesome with temps in the 60’s and sunny. I started about five rows from the starting line on the right. The early miles are easy along the water and getting pulled by the colorful flow of runners ahead and around. Hearing a mile split of 5:25, I looked ahead to catch teammate Arthur Besse who would end up running a PR for the day. A climb into mile two gave me some separation away from Craig Fram and Arthur just under 11 minutes. I cruised on the downhill out to the water and the level road toward Eastern Point. I was eyeing Robert Cipriano about five seconds ahead into the rare shade into three miles (16:28). He remained elusive as failed to catch him. Mile four went by and one could see way ahead as we headed back to the water. I could see CMS teammates Joe Shairs and Todd Callaghan working together and I wanted some of that as I closed in along the water. I hung onto Joe Lauer (SRR) and Mark Larosa (BAA) for a bit as they looked in command when they passed me. They pulled me into mile five around 27:47. I was closing in on Todd and Heather Cappello who turned out to be women's winner. We were biting right into the wind and that was challenging along with the tired legs. I managed to pass Todd and Heather after six miles on the downhill into the final stretch for a 34:40 (net time) or 34:43 (gun time and 5:36 / mile) and placed 72^nd. This 10K was 12 seconds faster than the Level Renner 10K effort back on August 17^th. The CMS teams ran well with a team finish of 2^nd in the open/masters and third in the Senior division. Full results of the 2014 Lone Gull 10K.

Photo by Scott Mason
Check out his photos at scottmasonphoto.com

Below are my USATF New England 10K championship results over the last six years.

2014 34:40 (net time) Lone Gull 10K - Gloucester, MA

2013 35:29 (net time) Lone Gull 10K - Gloucester, MA

2012 35:22 Newton 10K - Newton, MA

2011 34:17 James Joyce Ramble 10K – Dedham, MA

2010 35:43 Bridge of Flowers – Shelburne Falls, MA

2009 34:30 Lone Gull 10K - Gloucester, MA

2008 35:12 Bridge of Flowers – Shelburne Falls, MA

Level Renner 10K Brockton

August 17, 2014
The Level Renner 10K is beautiful two loop road course with rolling hills within D.W. Field Park in Brockton. 80% of the course is in the shade. CMS had more than seven men in the race including Nate Jenkins, Greg Putnam, Joe Shairs, Al Bernier (making his 40 year old debut), Jason Porter, and Scott Deslongchamps. We were gunning for the team prize money. Five scored this year as opposed to the three from last year. The start headed up the road passing the lookout tower. This hill is a beast as we encounter it two more times. I was with Jason Porter, Joe Shairs, and Robert Cipriano in the early miles. Al was about five seconds ahead and looking very strong after my 5:35 opening mile. I got a little room away from those guys about half way through. Al was not coming back as he built up 15 seconds on me. I recall going through mile 5 around 28:00. Robert passed me and caught Al with 800 meters to go. They had an envious battle up the last hill. Al stopped and dry heaved just after six miles. I urged him to get back in it - he did but lost time and three spots. Meanwhile, I had someone breathing down my neck - John Bigoutte from CT. He edged me at the very end. Joe was ten seconds back and Al was in behind him. My time was 34:52 for 10th - almost a minute quicker than last year. The team won but no team prize exchanged hands due to lack of teams. Race director, KG has to pay the bills which is fine by me. No problem as I picked up a Garmin GPS watch that went to Krissy's sister.

A mess upon finishing the Level Renner 10K

Full Results

KrissyK photos

Lone Gull 10K - USATF New England Championship

Charging through at the Lone Gull 10K
Photo KrissyK

The Lone Gull 10K in Gloucester from Good Harbor Beach is a puddle jump for Krissy and I. Temps were ideal and no humidity under sunny skies. The race was the New England Championship for the 10K distance so all of the teams were in town for the competition. I was aiming for a sub 35 minute race and was on pace for such running behind CMS teammates Kevin Gorman and Tim Mahoney through miles one, two, and three. That 3rd one gave me the drama to set up the 2nd half of the race. I tweaked my right hamstring during the week and was reminded of it on a little climb to mile three. I backed off from my mates heels and ran a race of survival to the finish line. I was OK to run but my mind was all over the place taking inventories of how muscles were feeling and how bad I was going to rig for the last few miles. Stephanie Reilly (1st female and sub 35 for the day) and only four others went by me in the last three miles so that was not too bad. I was proud of hanging in and battling Justin Soucy all the way to the final 100 meters. The CMS men's open and masters teams got a big boost by capturing the team titles outright for the first time this year.

Lone Gull 10K 2013 results
KrissyK photos

Place Name  Ag Div/Tot  Div        City St Team NameNettime Pace  Guntime Pace

67 James Pawlicki 38 20/110 M3039 Lynn MA CENTRAL MASS STRIDERS 35:29 5:43 35:30 5:43 

Level Renner 10K

Joe and Jim keeping it Level before mile 1
Photo by KrissyK

Krissy got an invite to attend this 10K from kevbalance (KG) and she transferred it over to me. I was excited to get a chance to run in D.W.Field Park in Brockton. I had no idea what to expect. When Krissy, Joe, and I rolled into the park, it was obvious that this place was a gem. It felt like Break Heart Reservation in Saugus and Wakefield. Kevin welcomed us right away once we saw him. Joe and I connected with CMS mate Scott Deslongchamps for a warm up on the 2nd loop of the course (3.78 miles) as I felt a longer warm up would help me out and we had the time. We got a chance to see what we were up against on the roads that followed two bodies of water. It was a nice course that had at least 75% shade. This race brought in the big guns like Ruben Sanca and Glarius Rop. Joe and I did not discuss our racing plan before the race but before we knew it, we were side by side from the start which went up Tower Hill (3 times by the way). I felt good and Joe and I joked after the race that neither of us took the tangents properly. Loop one was a quickie around the first pond and up Tower Hill again. There was plenty of shade and it was appreciated. Our pacing through three miles was around 5:42 pace and we were off into the bigger of the two loops. We were not chasing anyone down nor was anyone clipping our heels so we kept pressing as much as possible. We took turns in front of the other navigating through our mutual silence. I started to wear a bit at 4.5 miles but we hit a fair stretch of down grade which was just in time for me. We took our last turn at the entrance and went after the last hill at 6 miles. I got a few steps on Joe. He told me to go for it about half way up but I did not see the point in killing it so I backed off for him as I knew he was top master. We rolled into the finish in 35:39. Not too bad for a days work and a busy weekend. I would not trade this for anything.  I love racing and had some great company today. Joe and I hope to be in the 34's at Lone Gull. There was plenty of post race food. I took down some Watermelon before heading out for a cool down with Joe and Scott. We bumped into Ruben who won with a sub 30 (road PR?). He filled us in on his race break down and upcoming racing plans. We got back in time for some refreshments and vendor displays before getting to the awards. I picked up 2nd in my age group. Joe took top master. Scott was 3rd master. We combined for the top team (three score). Good day for CMS as the ladies also picked up the top prize. There were a ton of raffle prizes given out. In summary, this race is only going to get bigger so don't miss out next year.

KrissyK photos

Scott Mason photography

The end
Photo by KrissyK

Level Renner 10K Road Race results August 25, 2013

Level Renner

My splits per course mile markings:
Distance     Time     Avg Pace
6.24          35:38.32  5:43/mi
0.99          5:36.72    5:39/mi
1.00          5:38.85    5:37/mi
1.01          5:51.80    5:52/mi
1.00          5:50.22    5:48/mi
1.00          5:44.45    5:43/mi
1.02          5:38.90    5:34/mi
0.21          1:17.38    6:08/mi