Rich on Running: Fresh Pond is fresh alternative as running spot

Should you ever find yourself in Cambridge, O North Shore runners, may I recommend stopping by Fresh Pond.The pond, formed by a glacier a mere 15,000 years ago, lies along Route 16 (the Fresh Pond Parkway) and Concord Ave., not far from those two other Cambridge institutions, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Its “fresh” waters are in contrast to the salt of the Charles River estuary, and its reservoir provides Cambridge with drinking water.The allure of the pond lies in the chance to circumnavigate it (about two and a quarter miles if you stick to the routes closest to the pond). Its footpaths include both concrete and dirt surfaces (although there are some folks who complain about the concrete).Last Thursday, I started my run around the pond at the entrance that’s across the street from the Sunoco station. From the crosswalk I headed right and began running.Landmarks are plentiful, as is the signage. You’ll pass geographical features like Sousa’s Rock (which I still haven’t actually seen), the Tip O’Neill Golf Course (the former House Speaker, whose motto was “All politics is local,” hailed from the area) and Little Fresh Pond. You will also have a chance to watch the wildlife. On my first run around the pond last year, chipmunks scurried across the footpaths. And of course, there are the dogs ? people love to walk their dogs here, so steer clear of Fido when you’re running. The same goes, of course, for the cyclists and walkers.If your legs are tiring, there are quite a few places to sit down and rest or stretch, including one of my favorites, the Adirondack-style bench not far from the Water Purification Facility. While the fence around the waters interferes with the view, it is still a treat to sit beside the same pond where a young Harvard undergrad, Theodore Roosevelt, ice skated back in the late 19th century.Alas, non-Cambridge residents must be creative when it comes to parking. “Parking on the Reservation is restricted to vehicles with Cambridge resident, handicap or Water Department permit/plates only,” a city website reads. “Regulations are enforced at all times on all days.” It seems that some out-of-towners park on side streets, while others use the parking lot at the Fresh Pond Mall.If you park at the mall, there is one destination that will provide a pleasing aftertaste to your run around the pond. I enjoyed a Big Mac, fries and a Coke at the Mickey D’s almost as much as I did last week’s run.Congratulations to the winners of the Breed School 5K: overall winners Mark Flaherty of West Newbury (21:10.5) and Kendall Daly of Danvers (23:58.0), and Team Breed award winners Alex Pedro (24:04.9) and Rebecca Conway (34:00.9) – both of whom are from Lynn.The Lynn YMCA 5K Spring Fling is this Saturday (May 21, 10 a.m.) at Lynn Woods. You can sign up at active.com or by contacting Sharon Dobbyn at 781-581-3105×244 or [email protected] Tenorio writes a weekly column on running for The Item. Email him at [email protected].