(On Running) #4 2026 Vanessa Marcotte 5K

Vanessa Marcotte 5K Race Recap

3.1 Miles. 5 kilometers. What was once a daunting distance has become a routine fitness check during Week 2 of my Baystate Marathon training block, where I have set the goal of running a 2:48:00. This Saturday, I raced the Vanessa Marcotte 5K for the second year in a row. 

Last year: I was three weeks into my first ever training block for a Spartan 10K. I ran a 19:45, which was three seconds off my PR at the time, placing fifth. It was a rainy yet cool day, especially for June. 

2025 Vanessa Marcotte 5K (Finish line)

This year: I was coming off a 3:07:10 marathon and gearing back up for my second attempt at achieving a Boston Qualifying time. The weather was not ideal: sunny and 70s. Yet, I was undeterred, as I have been training in these conditions for the past few weeks. I ran a 17:30, two seconds off my PR of 17:28, placing fourth (first in my age group). If I had ran that time last year, I would have won the race handily. 

Before the 2026 Vanessa Marcotte 5K

The Vanessa Marcotte 5K does not draw an especially "deep field of runners," or people who run particularly fast. My watch GPS did not reach the full 3.1 miles, instead measuring about 3 miles exact. What is special about this race, though, is the cause. 

While I did not know Vanessa Marcotte personally, I found myself tearing up on the start line as those who did shared her story and the purpose of their foundation. Vanessa was a runner who was assaulted and killed while running in Princeton, MA, which is generally considered a safe town. My hometown of Sterling neighbors Princeton, yet I did not hear about this race, which had its 10th anniversary this year, until last year. The race is run at Wachusett Mountain, where I grew up skiing, hiking, and even working for a few winters. 

Running this race reminded me that running brings people together. It isn't all about 5K PRs and marathon fitness tests. While achieving a Boston Qualifier has been my primary motivation in running, I have observed something more important in my training: running is a privilege, and life is precious. Live each moment with this understanding, and enjoy the community of a race as much as the result. 

Week 2: Training in Summary

My training this week amounted to 53.4 miles, including the 5K race. Week 1 consisted of 45.24 miles. This 18% increase in mileage is intentional, as I build a base that will allow me to tackle the marathon specific training later in the block without getting injured. You can follow my training daily on Strava. 

Monday: 8.03 miles | 7:27/mi | 190 ft elevation gain | 5:58 AM

This run was on the bike path, which I am grateful for due to the humidity. My heart rate was much higher than normal for this pace. 

Tuesday: 12.08 miles | 7:30/mi | 453 ft elevation gain | 7:04 AM

I tried a new route for this run, and I am glad I did. It travels a road that people commonly commute to UMass from for 3-4 miles. Next time, I will reverse the route, to avoid running towards commuter traffic.

Wednesday: 8.65 miles | 8:02/mi | 36 ft elevation gain | 6:30 PM

This was my second time attending the Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic Club's summer track workouts. I am planning to use these as my speed workouts until August, in which I will transition to marathon pace speed work. 

The workout:

  • Warm up
  • 1x800m tempo (400m rest)
  • 3x200m mile pace (200m rest) 
  • 3x1000m 10k pace (200m rest)
  • 3x200m mile pace (200m rest)
  • Cool down

Thursday: 7.02 miles | 7:43/mi | 325 ft elevation gain | 5:33 AM

This run had a 5:33 AM start, with respect to my social and work plans for the day. When waking up this early, it can feel like going through the motions. Nonetheless, the run was done. 

Thursday (2): 3.41 miles | 8:33/mi | 259 ft elevation gain | 7:03 PM

Ran this one with a friend, who was visiting my hometown for the weekend to run the Vanessa Marcotte 5K together. Always a joy to run with others. 

Friday: 10.00 miles | 7:44/mi | 968 ft elevation gain | 6:54 AM

Running has made me appreciate how hilly my hometown is. Great for training, even though the Baystate Marathon will have half this elevation gain over the full 26.2 miles. 

Saturday: 2.99 miles | 5:52/mi | 180 ft elevation gain | 9:38 AM

Vanessa Marcotte 5K race. I also ran a warmup mile and three strides (.17 miles) before the race. 

From here, my 2026 Baystate Marathon training block will grow increasingly strenuous. Week 3 totals 60 miles. Stay tuned every Sunday for insights into my training towards a sub 2:48:00 marathon!

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