5/20/2018
Matt Addessi
Ohio Eastern Time Trials Race #2
Deerfield, OH
Finish Time: 28:41
Overall Place: 3rd place
Division Place: 2nd place.
Race Recap By Matt Addessi
Northeast Ohio Multi-Sport Team
5/20/2018
Matt Addessi
Ohio Eastern Time Trials Race #2
Deerfield, OH
Finish Time: 28:41
Overall Place: 3rd place
Division Place: 2nd place.
Race Recap By Matt Addessi
5/20/2018
Cleveland Half Marathon
Chris Brown
Finish Time: 3:25:22
Division Place: 43rd
Gender Place: 2135
Overall Place: 4010
5/19/2018
Scott Orlando
Akron Paddle and Portage Race
Akron, Ohio
Finish Time: NA
Finish Place: 4th overall
Race Review By Scott Orlando
The Akron Paddle and Portage Race is an interesting kayak and canoe race held in the lakes and canals of Akron Ohio. The concept of the race is to honor the tradition of the Native Americans who paddled and carried their boats through Summit County. The course is diverse crossing two lakes and winding its way through the historic Ohio Erie Canals. Participants paddle around 5 miles and than can choose a short portage of half a mile or a long portage of 1.5 miles along the towpath trail to the finish. I had planned on using a light 16′ kayak for the race but that boat go stuck in PA so I used a shorter but much heavier molded kayak. The kayak was no mach in the water for several much lighter racing boats in the field and I struggled to portage the 55 pound boat the half mile to the finish. I really enjoyed the paddle, but the portage not so much. This was just the second year for the race. I plan to work with the organizers to help improve the race for next year. The race was a nice value as participants received custom shirts, wooden hand made finisher medals, a box lunch and locally brewed craft sodas.
5/12/2018
Sweat Now Wine Later Race
2 mile kayak and 2 mile run race
Gervasi Winery Canton, OH
Tori Hargett
Finish Time: 45:03
Finish Place: 68th overall
Scott Orlando
Finish Time 35:50
Finish Place: 2nd overall
Race Review by Scott Orlando
Sweat Now Wine Later is another sold out race organized by the fine people at Run Canton. This year almost 400 people competed in the 2 mile kayak 2 mile run event held at the beautiful Gervasi Winery. A quick school bus ride to the starting area and then the race begins by sprinting to the creek and hopping into the waiting kayaks. Everyone uses the same kayaks that are supplied making this a beginner friendly multi sport race everyone can enjoy. Racers are set off one at a time time trial style. I quickly ran into trouble on the kayak when I realized I was handed a paddle with a blade on backwards. I was already away from shore so switching paddles was not an option. I wasted a solid minute trying to correct the paddle but the 2 pieces were jammed together so I had to kayak the entire race with the blade facing the wrong way. The water level was very low and kayaks were stuck on rocks around every bend of the creek. I managed to keep a fairly clean line scraping rocks and the bottom a lot but never really getting that hung up. The run is on the crushed limestone trails that head back to Gervasi for the finish. I missed winning the race by just 61 seconds and I know I spent more time than that trying to fix the backward paddle blade. Had I been provided functional paddle I think I would have had a great shot at winning, but that’s racing. No complaints or excuses. In every race their are obstacle you have to overcome and adapt. I am actually pretty proud that my kayak experience helped me beat everyone but one person with just half a paddle. Congratulations to Team ER member Tori Hargett who completed her first multi sport race and finished 68th overall. As always Run Canton put on a great event. Participants received great race swag including tech shirts, wine stopper finisher medals, and vouchers for food or wine at Gervasi. This is a short race but one of my favorites.