Past events
Happy Holidays Half Marathon 2025 - 2025-12-07
The Happy Holidays Half Marathon (aka Merrithon) is the last half marathon of the season supported by CAARA. For this event, rather than serving at one of the checkjpoints I was shadowing Fred WA1ESU at Net Control. I will be acting as net control for some of the races next year; the plan is to try to rotate several folks through the position so that we have multiple people with appropriate experience.
BAA Half Marathon 2025 - 2025-11-09
Another year of waking up at 4:30AM and biking into Boston! This year I was stationed at water stop 5, on Jamaicaway just north of Craftson Way. I met up with the rest of the volunteers at the main medical tent in Franklin Park, and then after our briefing biked the three miles from Franklin Park to the station. Once there, I met up with the water stop crew from Shamrock Running Club of Woburn. We lucked out with the weather; it was warmer than expected when I left the house (maybe 50°F), and during the race it was mostly sunny and approaching 60°F towards the end.
Ocean View Half Marathon 2025 - 2025-11-02
The Ocean View Half Marathon runs through Ipswich and around Great Neck. This year I was stationed at checkpoint 3, at the intersection of East St & Jeffrey's Neck Rd. This was a particularly interesting experience, because I was without a car. I was fortunate to get a ride there from Steve K8ZBE (who fortuitously lives nearby, and it turns out that we also both play in the community band!), but I had to pack everything with me rather than relying on my car for storage. It also meant my trip home was a bit longer, since it involved walking from my station to the Ipswich commuter rail stop (about a mile), and then taking public transit home.
Baystate Marathon 2025 - 2025-10-19
This is my second year working at the Baystate marathon. It looks like they're expecting just about 2500 runners this year. Last year I was stationed at one of the medical tents at the Tsongas center. This year I was stationed out on the course at water stop #6, along the Merrimack River and across from American Legion post 247 in Tyngsborough. We were accompanied by groups of student volunteers from the Tyngsborough HS cross country team, the Lowell HS National Honor Society, and possibly one other group.
Ride to Defeat ALS September 2025 - 2025-09-20
The Ride to Defeat ALS is a bicycle ride to raise funds for research into treatements for ALS. This is my first year volunteering at this event, and also my first time volunteering in a SAG vehicle. I was operating in SAG #1 along with Matt Brennan, NM1B, who coordinate the radio volunteer effort for this event.
By the Sea Half Marathon September 2025 - 2025-09-14
I was stationed at checkpoint 5 near the intersection of Chebacco Rd. and Essex St. I have put together a course map with checkpoint locations. This wasn't as scenic as some other locations; Essex St. is relatively busy. Joe the Hamilton police officer closed down one side of the road to help keep runners safe.
IPA Half Marathon July 2025 - 2025-07-20
I was stationed at checkpoint 2 near the intersection of Scotland Rd. and Scotland Heights in Newbury, MA. I set up shop a little bit down the road at the Wet Meadows area, part of the Greenbelt. When I wasn't paying attention to the race I was able to watch the cows.
Twin Lobster Half Marathon June 2025 - 2025-06-01
I was stationed at checkpoint 3 near the intersection of Eastern Pt. Rd. & Grapevine Rd. in Gloucester, MA. This was right by the ocean and there was a constant onshore breeze, so I ended up setting up a camping chair inside my van where I would have a little shelter. The view from here was gorgeous; you can find photos from the event here.
Barns and Blooms Half Marathon May 2025 - 2025-05-17
I was stationed at Checkpoint 2 near the corner of Essex Rd. and Northgate Rd. in Ipswich, MA. You can see checkpoint locations on my map of the event. You can find a small number of photos here. I parked at the lot for the Castle Neck River Reservation, part of the Greenbelt.
BAA Boston Marathon April 2025 - 2025-04-21
This was my first year volunteering at the Boston Marathon. The Boston Marathon is one of the largest amateur radio service opportunities in the area. There were close to 300 amateur radio volunteers helping out this year. I was stationed at Med tent 3, at mile 7, which is right at the intersection of Bishop St. and Waverley St. in Framingham (you can see my map of the marathon showing all the water stops, medical tents, etc).
Marblehead Half Marathon April 2025 - 2025-04-13
I was stationed at Checkpoint 2 at the corner of Harbor Ave and Harvard St. in Marblehead. You can find this location on my map of the event. You can find some pictures of the event here.
Happy Holidays Half Marathon December 2024 - 2024-12-08
I was stationed at Checkpoint 1, the intersection of Thatcher Rd and Farm Lane (some sort of private drive).
It's a good thing I packed my TM-V71A, because I was just a bit too far away from the repeater for the HT. I set up the mobile as a cross-band repeater and it worked great.
BAA Half Marathon November 2024 - 2024-11-10
Up at 4:30 in the morning for a 5am bike ride from Belmont to Franklin Park. It was a chilly 30°F when I left, but warmed up later in the day. I was at water station 7, just outside the start/finish line. Other than checking in, checking out, and roll call, there wasn't much to do on the radio so I spent my time helping the water volunteers fill cups, clean up, etc.
Baystate Marathon October 2024 - 2024-10-20
I was stationed at medical tent 1A along with Tim Carter K1DC. Our job was to record the bib numbers of runners coming in for medical care so that we could provide those to the family info table if someone dropped by looking for their people.
Cycle for Shelter September 2024 - 2024-09-15
I was stationed at the Boxford Second Congregational Church. You can see a few photos of my station here. I've put together a map of the courses and rest stops here.