10/27/2024

The Haunted Forest Marathon, Half Marathon, And 5K

Canal Fulton, Ohio

Marathon

Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford

Finish Time:  5:19:10

Overall Place:  149th Place / 184

Division Place:  2nd Place / 3

Half Marathon

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  2:12:30

Overall Place:  240th Place / 435

Division Place:  6th Place / 19

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  2:28:40

Overall Place:  325th Place / 435

Division Place:  28th Place / 35

Race Recap By Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford:

Volunteer

Kevin Christensen was on the course dressed as a creepy but friendly clown working as a course marshal and helping with a water station.

Well, I wasn’t trained, but I decided to do it with a friend and I got one under my belt again this year.
It wasn’t pretty, but I got it done .
My friend and I finished. I’m glad she got me to do it.
I was so thankful that my friend Sue showed up at the end with pumpkin treats and a ride back to our cars. That was so sweet and that makes a good friend. Time for a nice bath and a beer at home because there wasn’t any at the race.

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

Haunted Forest Half Marathon
Flat, fast race on paved towpath. The marathon and half marathon start together and then split approximately 2 miles in. Scenic run during the peak of leaves changing and even saw a Blue Heron over the canal.  Several water and Gatorade stops but not a ton of spectator access.
Parking is limited so early arrival to catch a shuttle bus and only 20 porta potties left a lot of people scrambling.
Long sleeve festive technical tee and medals for all runners. They advertised an additional medal if you ran the day before but did not provide. Bananas and pretzels but no after party. Colder temps than I am used to left me struggling a little but did my best and happy to place 6th in my age group.

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I completed the Haunted Forest Half Marathon in Canal Fulton this morning. Started off pretty cold compared to usual and the change of course threw me off. I didn’t stop running though! I finished at 2:28:40 and pace of 11:21. Not a great running time, but I did it! The after race events were a lot less than usual for this race too. It only had a bananas, pretzels, and waters for finishers.

Race Recap By Kevin Christensen:

You may have seen a friendly clown at the Clinton Trailhead water stop. It was a perfect day for the runners and clowns and I had multiple runners stop to take selfies and thank me for being there. One lady made her husband stop his car to get a selfie. Who knew people loved clowns so much. It was also fun that Jim Chaney placed clown decorations at this water stop to keep me company.

10/27/2024

Pumpkin Run 5K

Mentor, Ohio

Brittany Kiehl

Finish Time:  36:15

Overall Place:  255th Place / 409

Division Place:  15th Place / 27

Race Recap By Brittany Kiehl:

Overall, a fun race experience. The first part of the course was on a bike path along a busy road. It was a little worrisome running with traffic instead of against it. Some runners were using the road to pass others. There were times I wanted to pass walkers but was nervous of being hit by a vehicle. My favorite part of the course was the short part along a trail. It was so beautiful with the fall foliage. You received your medal and shirt at the start of the race. I’m a fan of receiving your medal after you race. However, the race was sold out so not everyone received a medal. At the end of the race they had hot chocolate, candy, and granola bars. There was also a costume contest and awards for overall/ age group winners. I also loved the Halloween themed shirts and medals. You could also pay extra for a sweatshirt with the medal design.

10/26/2024

The Great Pumpkin Race

Canton, Ohio

Josh Keane

Finish Time:  32:10

Overall Place:  30th Place / 246

Division Place:  4th Place / 10

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  35:05

Overall Place:  52nd Place / 246

Division Place:  1st Place / 16

Race Recap By Josh Keane:

The Great Pumpkin Race 2024 was a lot of fun once again. A great course for a great cause. All proceeds go to Special Olympics and this race is really well put together and established race for 26 years. Nice rolling hills with beautiful fall colors through a Canton neighborhood and I really enjoy the 4 mile distance for a change. Great volunteers with good swag and how can awards be any better than pumpkin pie? I was fortunate to run well finishing 4th in my age group and 30th overall. This is one I would definitely recommend.

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

This is the 26th consecutive year and they have it down!
Love the indoor packet pick up, restrooms, and awards with lots of photo ops and activities for the kiddos.
1 mile run option for the young and young at heart.
Nice 4 mile course through beautiful neighborhoods on closed roads with plenty of challenging hills and lots of police and volunteer presence for safety.
The event is inclusive benefiting the local DD community and open to wheelchairs, strollers, and puppers.
Post race snacks, long sleeve shirts, and medals for all runners.
Excited to place 1st in my age group and win a WHOLE PUMPKIN PIE!

10/20/2024

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon

Columbus, Ohio

Christine Churpek

Finish Time:  3:58:25

Overall Place:  1511th Place / 3583

Division Place:  417th Place / 1379

Renee Buckus

Finish Time:  5:35:36

Overall Place:  3317th Place / 3583

Division Place:  1225th Place / 1379

Race Recap By Christine Churpek:

I ran the Columbus Marathon this weekend which was my 11th marathon! The day started perfectly.  My training leading up to the race went great, I felt amazing at the start and was totally in the zone. Unfortunately, at mile 6.5, I took a hard spill, scraping my knees, elbow, and palms. I shook it off and kept a solid pace, but by mile 18, my left knee started to give out. I considered dropping out since my goal of 3:40 was slipping away.
But then I remembered I had two athletes running their first marathon out there. I had to finish! After some more walking, my knee started feeling better, so I went for it. I crossed the finish line in 3:58:25.  It was not the time I wanted, but I finished strong!
A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support us. This weekend is one I’ll never forget. Now it’s time to get back to training and come back even stronger and faster!

Race Recap By Renee Buckus:

I’m not going to be one of those people that make running a marathon my whole personality (jk, I totally am) but this one isn’t about me, ok?! This is about my people – the ones that took time out of their weekend to come support us, surround us with good energy, run around a big, busy city to find us and cheer for us and give us the biggest hugs at the finish line. Geez. They showed up and our hearts were full. I had the biggest, full teeth smile on my face all day yesterday! “Thank you” surely isn’t enough but holy moly, we are SO thankful! I know I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did yesterday without these people. Having them there felt like I got to share my medal and dream come true with them. That’s exactly how I wanted it to feel, too! THANK YOU!!!!!

10/20/2024

Canal Tavern Of Zoar 5K

Bolivar, Ohio

Josh Keane

Finish Time:  24:32

Overall Place:  14th Place / 138

Division Place:  3rd Place / 6

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  26:51

Overall Place: 22nd Place / 138

Division Place:  1st Place / 11

Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford

Finish Time:  29:12

Overall Place:  37th Place / 138

Division Place:  2nd Place / 11

Nancy Wardell

Finish time:  29:34

Overall Place:  41st Place / 138

Division Place:  2nd Place / 7

Race Recap By Josh Keane:

Two days in a row enjoying this beautiful Ohio fall weather. Another fun race at the TuscParks Annual Canal Tavern 5K Run and Walk! I had the pleasure of running with Lisa Keane, Nancy Wardell, Cleopatra Sirnic, Lynett McClay and Jack Wardell today. What a fun race from Fort Laurens to the Zoar trailhead. Nice t-shirt and the after party with Lockport Brewery beer and brats puts this one over the top! Flat and fast in the towpath with perfect weather. Team ER did well in a fast paced field today with everyone placing in their age groups! I was fortunate to finish 14th overall and 3rd in my age group. We will definitely be doing this one again!

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

Another fabulous day with Team ER members Nancy Wardell, Josh Keane, and Cleopatra Sirnic!
Point to point 5K on the Towpath. You park at the finish line / packet pick up and then ride a free shuttle bus to the start line at historic Fort Laurens.
Gun start – chip timing. The start line is a good .25 mile from the trailhead allowing the crowd to thin out and avoid a bottleneck. Fast, gradual downhill course with a short, steep hill to finish.
Short sleeve tees for everyone and overall and age group awards plus raffle prizes. Nice after party with brats, potatoes, sauerkraut, and beer for all runners.
Nice work Team ER! Winner’s table all around!

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I completed the TuscParks Annual Canal Tavern 5K Run and Walk this afternoon with fellow Team-ER members Lisa Keane, Josh Keane, and Cleopatra Sirnic!! I love this race every year! The course is beautiful through the woods on the Towpath trail and the award ceremony is awesome with beer and brauts! They even give out door prizes and the weather was spectacular! I placed second in my age group finishing at 29:34 with a pace of 9:30! Definitely felt better than yesterday!!

10/19/2024

Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run 5K

Akron, Ohio

Brittany Kiehl

Finish Time:  42:12

Overall Place:  1836th Place / 3298

Division Place:  340th Place / 631

Brittany volunteered for packet pick up duties the night before the race in addition to running.

Race Recap By Brittany Kiehl:

This was my ninth year completing this race. I was so thankful to be able to share this experience with my family this year. My husband and I took turns pushing the double stroller with the boys. (My husband did all the hills.) Overall, the boys did great and had fun. There were over 3,300 participants registered. So even though we started in the middle corral, it was still quite difficult to navigate through all the walkers. I loved the medals and they are magnets. You are also given the option to receive another medal for carrying a pumpkin throughout the race (tough pumpkin). The long sleeve shirts are festive with a jack-o-lantern face, but I was not a huge fan of the purple color this year. It didn’t feel very fall to me. The finishers area felt very congested because of all the people. It was so chaotic trying to get your free pumpkin and apple cider. Overall, though, it was a fun fall tradition

10/19/2024

Knights Of Columbus Ghost Chase 5K

Dover, Ohio

Josh Keane

Finish Time:  25:47

Overall Place:  9th Place / 55

Division Place:  2nd Place / 3

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  27:10

Overall Place:  13th Place / 54

Division Place:  1st Place / 5

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  31:15

Overall Place:  31st Place / 54

Division Place:  1st Place / 2

Race Recap By Josh Keene:

The Dover Knights of Columbus Ghost Chase 5K was a blast! Ran this one with two Team ER favorites Lisa Keane and Nancy Wardell and we had so much fun! The event was established to raise funding for the Dover Knights of Columbus and Tuscarawas Central Catholic Schools. Fast and fairly flat course mostly on paved roads and a little dirt track. The course did go through two local cemeteries in honor of Halloween. Volunteers were great, course was well marked and volunteers/police were all over the course giving direction and maintaining safety. The long sleeve shirt is really nice almond with really nice age group and overall awards. Packet pick up as well as awards ceremony were inside with restrooms. They provided subway sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, candy, water and coffee after the race as well. I was fortunate to finish second in my age group and ninth overall. This was a great little race that I would certainly recommend to everyone. Congratulations to both Lisa and Nancy for their awesome race as well! Thank you both for hanging out with me!

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

It was my first time running this one and I had so much fun with fellow teammates Nancy Wardell and Josh Keane!
There was a free fun run for the kiddos with ribbons and candy for all participants!
5K proceeds support the Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph Church, and Tuscarawas Central Catholic Elementary School.
Indoor packet pick up, restrooms, and award ceremony to avoid that early morning fall freeze!
Mostly flat and fast pace on dirt roads and city streets as well as 2 cemeteries for some SPOOKY fun. Well marked course with plenty of police presence and volunteers.
Gun start and chip timing,
Awards for overall and age groups and a costume contest!
Nice long sleeve tech shirts and Subway sandwich lunch after.
I decided to dress up this year and had a ton of fun with my Forest Gump character but lost my wig TWICE during my run and had to stop and go back for it! Even with my wardrobe malfunction, I still placed 4th overall female and 1st in my age group.

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I completed the 2024 Ghost Chase 5k in Dover this morning with teammates Lisa Keane and Josh Keane!! Always love seeing those friendly faces at races!! Thanks for the fun as usual! The course was throughout the neighborhood of Dover and through two cemeteries. Each turn was marked clearly and there were tons of volunteers to help guide the way! I definitely love this race each year and saw many familiar faces! I was feeling a little rough this morning, so my time was slower than I’d like. I finished at 31:15 with a pace of 10:04 and First in my age group. Great award ceremony inside with tons of fruit, candy, and yummy subway!!

10/13/2024

Firestone Park Bridgestone Tread Together 5K

Akron, Ohio

Mike Williams:

Finish Time:  27:44

Overall Place:  36th Place / 93

Gender Place: 26th Place

Nancy Wardell:

Finish Time:  29:38

Overall Place:  47th Place / 93

Gender Place:  15th Place

Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford

Finish Time:  30:12

Overall Place:  50th Place / 93

Gender Place:  18th Place

Brittany Kiehl

Finish Time:  37:57

Overall Place:  75th Place / 93

Gender Place:  32nd

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I completed the Firestone Park and Bridgestone Tread Together 5k/1 mile walk in Akron this morning thanks to Brittany Kiehl!  and a free registration! It was great to see so many team members in a new race! Thanks for the pre-run warmup Mike Williams and post run Cleopatra Sirnic!  I’m very thankful the weather cooperated and enjoyed the snacks after too. They only gave awards to the top 5 women and men, so not sure where I placed. I finished in 29:38 with a 9:33 pace. The race track had some very sharp turns and the repetitive 4 loops kind of threw me off, but I loved the safety of the location on the track and having my teammates there too! Thanks for the pictures Mike and Cleo! See you next time!

Race Recap By Brittany Kiehl:

This was a small race that was part of the Akron Promise City Series Neighborhood Races. Participants did four laps around the test track. It was fun being able to cheer on friends as you saw them along the course. There were only medals for the top five overall male and female and the top five overall masters male and female. Also, this race was family friendly and there was fun activities setup for the kids.

10/12/2024

Canal Corridor 100 Mile Endurance Race

Akron, Ohio

Josh Keane:

Finish Time:  23:30:19:43

Overall Place:  72nd Place / 243

Gender Place:  5th Place

Lisa Keane:  Lisa volunteered as a pacer for the race.

Race Recap By Josh Keane:

The Canal Corridor 100 mile Endurance Run in the books. What an outstanding race. I honestly do not think I could have asked for a better experience for my first 100 mile finish. The course was primarily fast and flat with exception of a couple fairly big hills in and out of Akron as well as in and out of Cleveland. The race was a great scenic course starting in Akron heading south for a 20 mile out and back then 40 miles to Cleveland and right back 40 miles to Akron. The aid stations were excellent and plentiful along the course. We could not have had better weather until the last 20 miles when storms rolled in for torrential downpours of and on until the finish. My goal was 27 hours and thanks to the wonderful people around me I was able to beat that goal by almost four hours finishing in 23 hours and 30 minutes! Better than that are the memories! One of my favorite memories will be spending the day with family and friends. Most of all, running with our very own Lisa Keane into the city of Cleveland while the skyline was lit up! If you are thinking of taking on a 100 mile race this is a great one to consider!

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

I have not completed the entire 100 mile distance at this event however I have crewed and paced different runners 4 years in a row and I would recommend this race to anyone from beginner to seasoned ultra runner. This event is established and organized with a clearly marked course along the scenic towpath. The course does change slightly year to year and this year, it took us into Cleveland for the first time. Absolutely stunning coming into the city at night with all of the buildings and stadium lights! This also added some elevation changes and challenges to the usually flat, fast course. Well spaced aid and water stations along the entire route with lots of crew access. Nice LS tech shirt and finisher medals. Sub 24 hour finishers earn the coveted gold buckle and 24-30 hour finishers earn the silver buckle.

10/12/2024

Gervasi Haunted Wine Run 5K

Canton, Ohio

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  21:52

Overall Place 5th Place / 785

Division Place:  2nd Place / 30

Terri Bedner

Finish Time:  26:04

Overall Place:  46th Place / 785

Division Place:  5th Place 147

Race Review By Terri Bendar:

It was a fun race and the swag was great! Got a cool medal and bought a hoodie. Would have like to see a few snacks at the finish line and the age groups were 10 year increments. The should have been every 5 years.  I would definitely do this race again.

Race Recap by Scott Orlando:

This was my first time competing in the Gervasi Haunted Wine Run 5K at Gervasi Winery in Canton, Ohio.  I have competed in other races in the past at Gervasi Winery so I knew a little bit of what to expect.  The race was sold out and I was lucky to be able to register.  I had planned on doing another race that same day but it was cancelled.  By the time I knew the first race was cancelled The Haunted Wine Run was already sold out.  I contacted the race director to see if there was a way to still register.  I was informed that race registration would re-open the morning of the race.  Luckily I was able to secure one of the remaining spots and got registered.  I really appreciated the communication with the race director who helped me.  Great service!  I ended up paying $65 for the race which is pretty high for a 5K but I can’t complain as race day registration typically is higher than pre registration.

Weather conditions for the race were very favorable with temperatures in the low 60’s with extremely calm winds.  Knowing that parking would be limited for this race and it was sold out I arrived probably way too early, but I would rather do that than arrive late and have no on site parking.  The course started behind the Crush House and made a tight right turn around it then followed the road out of the Gervasi property, and then down the street and onto nearby crushed gravel trails.  There was part of the course that made a small loop in a grass field before hoping back on the trail and retuning to Gervasi.

I started at the front of the pack not wanting to get bottlenecked at the first tight turn.  I got off to a good start and right away found myself with the top 10 runners.  It was clear to me early in the race that there were not a lot of competitive runners in the field.  This is pretty common for a themed race especially at a winery.  Several of the runners that were fast appeared to be in or near my age group so I knew there would be no slacking it today.  The fist half of the race seemed to go by quickly.  I found myself battling for 5th place with the fastest female in the race.  At times we ran together but mostly took turns leading each other.  Finally after a hilly section of the course I passed her and secured the 5th position.  Looping back into the same trail to return to the finish I encountered several hundred walkers in large groups blocking the trail.  The first half of the race the leaders were escorted by a golf cart with a clown in it cheering us on and taking pictures.  I am not sure why the escort dropped off mid race but it would have been helpful to keep it in front of us the entire race helping to keep the trail ahead clear to run on.  At first I started yelling asking them to move to the left.  I found that they weren’t listening and it was costing me energy so I was forced to run in the high grass and uneven surface of the shoulder of the trail.  Once passed that area I was able to get back on the trail, increase my pace and head for the finish.  I was happy to finish with a time of 21:52 placing 5th overall and 2nd in my age division.  I was pretty excited to finish 5th overall in such a large race.

The race was well organized with an enjoyable course.  Participants received I’m Just Here For The Boo’s themed SWAG that included a super soft t-shirt, finisher medal that doubles as a coaster, and a wine cup filled with choice of Gervasi wine.  No where on the race SWAG does it mention the 5K race.  I would have preferred the SWAG to say on it somewhere Wine Run 5K.  The wine cups were advertised as soft and crushable.  They were neither.  I will say that they were full of wine! There was no awards ceremony so award winners picked up awards at the timing tent.  Awards were pins that are supposed to be added to the ribbon of the finisher medal.  I haven’t seen awards like this before but I liked the idea.  The pin I received was gold in color.  I will say it is hard to read and I am not sure what it actually says.  Age divisions for awards were every 10 year.  For a large race like this I would prefer to see them every 5 years.  I was a little disappointed that there were no post race snacks just water.   All of the food venues were open post race for participants to eat and drink.

Overall I really enjoyed the race.  It was great fun racing and hanging out with fellow Team ER member Terri Bednar who placed 5th out of 147 in her division.  If you like fall races and wine I suggest putting this race on next year’s calendar.  I will definitely do this race again!