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Michael P. Mahon needs no introduction, but some of you are new to the sport. The best biography of the local legend was published in the Metro West Daily News back on August 16, 2008.
Two things about Mike Mahon are true. One: He knows more than most of us about a lot of things, especially Canadian football, men's slow-pitch and cross-country running. Two: When he puts his mind to something, he's capable of mind-boggling achievements. "I've promoted 1,152 cross-country events in the past 23 years," he said. The over-the-top enthusiasm gets kicked up another notch when he talks about "opening day" of the season, The Thomas Chamberas 6K in Carlisle, Aug. 24. Next up: Bentley vs. Brandeis, Aug. 29. Mahon, who graduated from Keefe Tech in 1982, ran cross-country for four years there, and never lost his love of the sport. After riding his bike, a sturdy cycle from Landry's, which Mahon calls "the official bike of the Mike Mahon Cross-Country Organization," across Framingham, over to Cochituate State Park, sometimes as far as Marlborough, in search of cans, he'll add on many more miles if high school kids are training. Before a team arrives for a practice run at Callahan State Park on a chilly afternoon during the school year, Mahon is likely to be there. If it's an official meet, he's even more likely to find his way to the scene. And if it's an official meet, you can count on him wearing an official jersey of his beloved Montreal Alouettes, of the Canadian Football League. It's his uniform when he's scouting talent. He knows who's got potential. He knows who rates. For many years, he contributed the "Mahon Cup Standings" to the Sports section of this newspaper. He still hosts the annual Mahon Cup banquet for high-school runners. He plans to have this year's in Hudson in December. Part of the event's tab is paid from his canning proceeds. "I'm here for a reason. I'm here for the kids," he said.
Enjoy the holiday classics, sung by the man himself. The baritone voice will bring back memories of warmer days, when athletes were free to frolic on the trails of their favorite cross country courses.
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