Notch Run Club

The 2026 BEER2K results are in! It was a very successful year that saw fast times and a slew of penalty laps. Once again the Brighton athletes outpaced the Salem athletes but many, many people are talking about the extra challenge of the Salem hills. Could that be a difference maker?

Congrats to John Jantz, Colin Smith, Francesca Boggs, and Anna Spencer who were the overall winners! Jantz ran 6:54 in Brighton which is just shy of the BEER2K World Record set last year by Jeff Seelaus.

Colin Smith was just a few seconds from bettering his Salem Course Record set in 2025 and Francesca Boggs retained her title by repeating as the women’s winner in Salem.

2026 is in the books. Join the fun next year! Results link in the stories.

Friday is the LAST chance to grab a BEER2K shirt! Registration will remain open a while longer but we have to submit the shirt order soon. If you’re running in the event and want a shirt, be sure to sign up by the end of Friday.

4 laps, 4 beers. Metric forever. Link in bio.

As a final update for our 2026 Road to Boston program, we heard from our final invitational bib recipient post race. John Myers writes:

“Crossing that finish line in the Boston Marathon is something you think about long before it ever becomes real—and yesterday, it finally did.

I’m incredibly grateful for the experience and the chance to be part of it this year. A huge thank you to the Notch Run Club for the invitational bib and the opportunity to represent such a strong community on one of the biggest stages in running. That support meant more than I can really put into words.

It’s an experience I’ll carry with me for a long time.”

Among many, many highlights and personal bests from the 2026 Boston Marathon: The Notch men’s team earned a spot on the podium for the first time in this race. Congratulations to all ~40 Notch RC athletes who ran Boston this year!

Concerning levels of fake Maurten (fauxrten) on the streets right now. Boston Marathon runners beware.

We’re checking in with the athletes who received invitational bibs for the Boston Marathon through Notch RC’s Road to Boston program. This will be the first Boston for each of them! From Julia:

“I think I speak for all of New England when I say that this winter was not the ideal time to train for a marathon, but as always, I’ve been surprised by what my body can do. It has been in no way perfect, but I’ve learned so much more about running and training in the last 16 weeks than I have in the past 8 years that I’ve been running regularly. I’m feeling a bit anxious, but ready and eager to run. There’s only so much you can control, and you have to trust the process. The rest, you have to leave up to the day. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing my family and friends in the last few miles and at the end of the race, and to start running some shorter races this summer!”

Anyone want to trade for a spare axle?

Over the next 3 days, we’re going to check in with the three athletes who received invitational bibs for the Boston Marathon through Notch RC’s Road to Boston program. This will be the first Boston for each of them! First up is Ga’el:

“Training for this spring marathon through a wicked cold winter required a new level of discipline to balance my work life, municipal duties, and family. Despite illness and icy trails, I stayed consistent.

Big thanks to the incredible support of my wife, kids, and work team. Now, toeing the line in Hopkinton right around our country’s 250th anniversary is a surreal honor, and I think am ready.”

Good luck, Ga’el! 🦄

Thank you for your email. I will be returning to the office on Wednesday, April 22. My body is in shambles. If this is an emergency, please handle it as best you can.