5/27/2019

Hero 5K

Perry Township, Ohio

Michael Homula

Finish Time:  21:12

Overall Place:  13 / 331

Division Place:  3rd place / 13

Race recap by Michael Homula

I ran the Perry Township Hero 5k, an Ohio Challenge Series race. The conditions were ideal and, as always, it was a very well put together race and awards.

I was on track to run about 20:15 when, as I made the turn to the 3/4 mile uphill finish, a young man (found out later he was 15) was walking and struggling.

As I passed him and headed to the finish, something stirred in me and I stopped, went back 10 meters, and told him there was no way I could let him not finish RUNNING.

I said, “Too many men went through far worse then we are right now, too many did not come home to their families, for us to be walking right now. I don’t care about my time anymore, I am going to make sure you finish this race running, not walking.” He smiled at me and said, “Let’s go” and I paced him to the finish.

Sacrificing my time was worth seeing him win 1st place in his age group at the awards.

I finished in 21:12 (6:50 per mile pace), 13th overall (331 runners), and 3rd in my age group. A solid finish, considering.

At the finish, I had the honor to meet and have my picture made with Mr. Ralph Dunnerstick, Unites States Marine Corps Veteran who served and fought in WWII. I was able to spend about 10 minutes with him and, though his memory is fading, his spirit and will is fierce – if pressed he could have run today, I am sure of it.