Scott Orlando

Canton Charge 5K

11/11/2017

Canton, Ohio

1st place age division

29th out of 533 overall

Finish time 23:24

Canton Charge 5K Race Review.

This was my second time competing in the Canton Charge 5K.  This is an unusual race as it starts and finishes indoors at the Canton Civic Center.  The race conditions were less than ideal.  Outside temperatures were in the brisk teens and their were heavy winds making this challenging course even tougher.  After leaving the Civic Center runners are quickly welcomed by a long steady incline for most of the first mile.  The course then turns onto a brick side street in the second mile which features the largest hill on the course.  Runners then make their way through several other brick side streets before returning to the main road.  The brick roads are hard on the feet and ankles so many runners opted for the sidewalks that made a smoother run.  The course returns to the main street for a flat fast finish.  Runners were greeted at the finish line with high fives by the Canton Charge Mascot and members of the Canton Charge Dance Team who presented finisher medals.  I have to say that this was probably my slowest 5K and most challenging of the year.  Even though the race field was much larger than last year and I ran slower, I still managed to win my age division.  All runners received long sleeve tech shirts, custom finisher medals, Canton Charge ticket vouchers, and a post race party that included Michelob Ultra, pizza, and lots of other snacks.  A new feature to this year’s race was the 0.0 race.  The 0.0  race provided an opportunity for non runners and walkers to participate.  Run Canton, who organized the race, yet again did an amazing job.  They offer fantastic events with great race swag.  Every race they organized this year grew in participation from the previous year.  All of their events are worth checking out!