3/17/2018

Hartville Trail Runs St. Patrick’s Day 5K Trail Run Race

Quail Hollow State Park

Hartville, Ohio

Results

Cody Stockert

Finish Time:   26:40

Finish Place:  1st Place Age Division.  41st Overall

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  25:15

Finish Place:  4th Place Age Division.  28th Overall

Mike Williams

Finish Time:  26:16

Finish Place:  6th Place Age Division.  38th Overall

Race Review

The Hartville St. Patrick’s Day 5K Trail 5K Run Race is one of two races offered annually by the fine people at Hartville Trail Runs.  This year’s race saw a huge jump in registration adding 100 more runners than last year to total just under 300 finishers.  An increase like that tells you that they are doing thing’s right and know how to offer a great race experience.  The weather for the race was cool in the low 30’s but little wind made for very comfortable running conditions.  The course was a little softer than last year but the ground was still frozen enough to keep runners from sinking into the potentially muddy trail.  The race starts with a mad dash from the paved parking lot to an inclined dirt trail head.  The first mile was slow for most runners as the masses jockeyed for position on the narrow trail.  Like many I found myself boxed in and unable to pass slower runners in the congestion resulting in a very slow first mile split.  The course opened up in the second and third miles as runners spread out weaving and dodging trees, turns, and elevation changes in the scenic woods.  Finish times for most runners appeared to be slower than last year.  A few slight course changes, the congested start, softer terrain, and possibly a longer overall course all seem to be factors in the slower times.  Everyone I spoke with had 3.25 – 3.35 miles recorded on GPS devices.  All participants received St. Patrick’s Day themed long sleeve tech shirts.  Hartville Trail Runs once again did an outstanding job with the race.  Moving forward I would recommend that they make two changes to the event.  First, that they offer age group awards every 5 years instead of every 10 years.  Last year it was appropriate, but now that the race has grown it is time to extend the awards.  Second that they consider starting the race in heats to reduce congestion on the first mile.  Overall This is a great well organized event that I am sure will continue to grow.

3/11/2018

Loretta Harland

Shamrock 5K

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Finish Time:   25:49

Finish Place:  2nd place in age division

Overall Finish:  50/180

3/3/2018

Ken Frankenbery

2018 Road Apple Roubaix

Garrettsville, OH

42 Mile Bike Race

Finish Time:  2:52:00

Finish Place:  33rd

Race Review By Ken Frankenbery

I had a dozen good reasons not to go. 7 inches of snow on Friday, 20-degree temps with high winds for race time Saturday morning would mean bone chilling temps with icy snow-covered roads & mud-soaked trails. My friends who were going to meet me there wisely canceled, leaving me to drive out alone and my fitness was questionable after 9 months rehabbing a torn hamstring.

But I had a few good reasons that over took those, first was a brand-new Trek Madone which was the perfect bike for the race sitting in my garage that I was dying to ride, rehab had been going good on my hamstring and felt it was ready for a test. Lining up for the mass start, feeling those pre-race butterflies- I knew I made the right move.

This ride has been on my radar for years. 42 miles of back roads, gravel roads, dirt trails, bike paths and steep hills made for a challenging course. Add in Amish buggies, black ice, deep snow on unplowed bikes paths and it was a real test. Serious racers on race bikes, mountain bikers on mountain bikes, fat tire bikes & casual riders on hybrid bikes just out to see if they could make it.

The start was a mass start right in downtown Garrettsville, with a police escort out of town. It then headed North through Parkman, with a turnaround in Middle field. I started near the front, but right from the start riders started to attack and go full out. We were heading up a slight hill going over 20 mph. The top riders pulled away, leaving small packs of riders trying to find someone to block the strong headwinds. I worked with a small group with a really strong woman on a mountain bike, passed a few people, got passed by a few and was pushing it hard. As we turned down the first gravel road, it was super rough. There were multiple riders on either side of the road with flat tires- it was that deep gravel that sucks the life out of you. We then hit some dirt roads with snow piles/ ice patches, and in the sunny area’s muck & mud. Heading into Parkman, it was back on paved roads, with Amish buggies. Passed a few (horses were unaffected), and a few were really hauling, had to push close to 20 mph to pass them. Back on the dirt roads, Amish kids were lining the roads watching. Saw several homes with Women out putting all their clothes on laundry lines. Will clothes dry in the wind at 25 degrees’??.

I had planned to do the ride non stop, had 2 water bottles with enough calories mixed in and I was hoping I could cover the 42 miles in under 2 & ½ hours. But the deep mud, heavy gravel, and super steep hills made me reevaluate when I was only averaging 14 mph.

They had an aid station at mile 26, so I made a quick stop for water. Aid workers were great, grabbed my water bottles and filled them. I pulled out in no time, trying to stuff a choc chip cookie in my mouth (I know it’s out of character but it looked good-and needed the calories!).

The pack I was with had broken up, so it was solo for the second half. I knew the monster climb was at mile 32, and I was hoping the cookie would be fully digested by then. The climb was tough, they had people along it cheering, and a mini aid station with shots of booze. Needless to say, I didn’t stop, but I saw people there who looked like they were happy to hang there for a while.

The final 5 miles was on a dirt bike trail that the warming sun had turned to muck. I drafted a guy, not carrying I was getting covered with the mud thrown off by his back wheel, I was in the total survival mode

I finished in 2:52, good for 33 place. The winner averaged 18.8 for a time of 2:12. Wow- that’s fast. I skipped the post-race festivities but drove home feeling great.