Was there ever more of a nationalistic uproar than when it was announced at Doyles that - starting in 2004 - NER Membership would have its privileges?

This spontaneous support by NER zealots was akin to Barry Goldwater at the 1964 Republican Convention declaring: "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice."

We won't take it that far, but we are stating that folks need to be subscribers to the mag by Doyles to be eligible for scoring and all the Series-end swag (i.e. the jackets, the $$, the party, the glasses, etc.). Anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate in the Pub Series races, but to preserve our sanity and keep our merchandise sponsor solvent we're following the tact of every other series around when it comes to awards. Note: For newcomers, you've got to run all six races to receive a jacket, just as in the previous six years of the Pub Series.

In that light, where as before it took Four to Score, in 2004 it'll take Five to Stay Alive. Have your fun, miss one; miss two, you're through. There's only six races in the Series so we're asking folks to toughen up this much (I'm holding my thumb and forefinger two inches apart). Thank-you!

2004 NER Pub Series Schedule

Feb. 8 - 23rd Paddy Kelly 5M, Brockton, MA - 12 noon

New Race - A flat, fast course with one hill, traffic-free, run out of the Time Out Cafe and hosted by the Colonial Road Runners. Age divisions thru 70+ - Pasta, chili, beer to follow. Applications available in Calendar of this website. Applications, more info and on-line registration available at:
Colonial Road Runners

March 7 - 24th Irish Feet Are Running 5M, Lowell, MA - 1 pm

New Race - From downtown Lowell along the Merrimack River and back, run out of the Old Court Irish Pub & Restaurant and hosted by the Greater Lowell Road Runners. Live Entertainment, Block Party, Food, Refreshments & Giveaways to follow. Three-time Pub Series champion Eric Beauchesne and other Green Slimers lobbied hard for this. It's a happening.
For past results, directions, photos, course map, on-line registration, etc. go to:
Irish Feet Are Running

April 4 - 8th Doyle's Emerald Necklace 5M, Jamaica Plain, MA - 11 am

Run out of world famous Doyle's Cafe, the creme-dela-creme of Publican purvey and the Cornerstone of the New England Runner Pub Series (recently seen in the movie Mystic River). The certified course is run almost entirely in Franklin Park. Rolling and tres scenic with bagpipers at the mile.
A party bar none afterward, inside and out, with the Sons of Finnian outside and a DJ inside. Interactive Simon Says, food, free pouring copious libation, Hizzoner will show, as will the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums. No Budweiser, sorry Irish Tom. The fun-loving and politically connected Burke Brothers rule the roost here. The historical confines of Doyle's feature the aptly named Fitzgerald Room, site of NER's annual Pub Series award party in December.
There's currently an application in the Jan/Feb issue of NER and another will be posted to the Calendar section of this website.

June 6 - 11th Corrib Pub 5K, W. Roxbury, MA - 12 noon

Staged out of Billings Field hard by the Corrib Pub with two flat miles interrupted by a ghoulish climb in the 2nd mile. A two-time (now 3rd) entry into the Pub Series, this race is a favorite of the Hurtin' For Certain Striders. Need we say more?
More info as the race nears. As a reminder, all Pub Series applications will be available in NER's Calendar section (website) in advance of each race.

Aug. 7 - 3rd Finbar's Pub 4M, Norwood, MA - time tba

New Race - HFCer Steve Sweeney is at the helm this year. Steve revived and revved up the moribund Norwood Turkey Trot so we'll be taking an exploratory sojourn with Steve, mayhaps Eire's Jimmy Fallon and Irish (via Walpole) Tom to see if the taps are in good working order. More info later.

Oct. 17 - 3rd Paddy's Shillelagh Shuffle 3M, Newton, MA - 11:30 am

A repeat finale to the Pub Series. Shillelagh's to the winners, music, food and drink for all (And What Food!), raffles and O'Hara Brothers hospitality have made this a Classic in the making. Double the field in 2003 on a flat, lightening fast course previously used by the Troubador Trot and Cherry Tree Three.
The course will be certified as either 3M or 5K in 2004. There's also a website under construction. Stay tuned.