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!!