Monthly Archives: April 2025

4/12/2025 Rachel Turner, Scott Orlando, Christine Churpek, Steve Zenar, Mike Williams, Asad Khan, Terri Bednar, Gretchen Snyder, And Kevin Christensen Black Squirrel 5K Kent, Ohio

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4/12/2025

Kent Black Squirrel 5K

Kent, Ohio

Rachel Turner

Finish Time:  21:47

Overall Place: 27th Place / 354

Division Place: 1st Place / 18

Scott Orlando

Finish Time: 23:24

Overall Place:  41st Place / 354

Division Place: 2nd Place / 9

Christine Churpek

Finish Time: 23:38

Overall Place:  43rd Place / 354

Division Place: 1st Place / 22

Steve Zenar

Finish Time:  24:23

Overall Place:  50th Place / 354

Division Place:  4th Place / 19

Mike Williams

Finish Time:  25:43

Overall Place:  69th Place / 354

Division Place:  5th Place / 13

Asad Khan

Finish Time:  26:03

Overall Place:  74th Place / 354

Division Place:  6th Place / 13

Terri Bednar

Finish Time:  26:34

Overall Place:  81st Place / 354

Division Place: 1st Place / 14

Gretchen Snyder

Finish Time:  27:10

Overall Place:  91st Place / 354

Division Place: 1st Place / 8

Kevin Christensen

Finish Time: 27:56

Overall Place: 113th Place / 354

Division Place: 5th Place / 10

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

I had a great time at the Kent State Black Squirrel 5K with Team-ER. I have competed in this race several times in the past. This course is a loop around the Kent State University campus that features a lot of rolling hills.  The weather is usually unpredictable for this race.  This year the weather was a little on the cool side with some mild to gusting winds.  No rain so that was a bonus this year.  The pre race check in is done inside the university wellness center which is nice.  Being able to warm up on the indoor track is a huge benefit at this race.
Still dealing with a tight back I wasn’t sure how my run would go. I was about a minute off my normal pace for this race but I still managed to place 2nd in my division with a time of 23:34. My last mile was my fastest which is progress in getting my speed back. My goals for this race were to take home an age division medal and average around a 7:30 mile pace or better which I achieved both. I have a lot of work to do but I’m getting their one mile at a time.
Kent State University puts on a really awesome post race celebration complete with a buffet of bagels, fruit, granola bars Capri Suns, and chili.  The gym is converted into a post race area with lots of tables complete with table clothes and center pieces.  Race participants received a t-shirt  and bib.  I love the mini bibs they use for this race as they are very easy to wear.  I would really like to see the t-shirts improve.  The last three years the race event information promoted performance t-shirts.  To runners this means tech shirts.  Apparently to them that means a basic full cotton t-shirt.  They used to offer really nice tech shirts with great designs at this race but the last three years the shirts have been disappointing.  There were lots of age division categories.  Only division and overall winners received medals.  I would prefer that all finishers receive a medal.   The race also promotes a team competition for male, female, and coed teams.   For the third year in a row we were diligent to get all of our runners registered for a coed team only to find out that they once again cancelled the team competition with no explanation.  There has never been a true understanding of how the team award winners were to be decided but I guess it doesn’t really matter when they never actually present them.  It is a little frustrating when participants make the effort to recruit runners and register their teams and then the awards are not presented.  This year we had 9 team members registered with all 4 females winning their divisions and 1 male placing 2nd in his division so I am pretty confident we would have had a pretty good chance to win the team coed division had it been awarded.
Congratulations to all of the Team ER runners especially the ladies of Team ER Rachel Turner, Christine Churpek, Gretchen Snyder, and Terri Bednar who had a clean sweep all winning their divisions!  Team ER had a great time at the race and we got to debut one of our new team banners.
Race Recap By Steve Zenar:
I had a great time this morning at the Kent State Black Squirrel 5K with Team-ER. This race is one of my annual favorites as I love running through the KSU campus which always brings back many great memories.
Race Recap By Gretchen Snyder:
On Saturday morning, I ran the Black Squirrel 5k race through Kent State University, main campus. I have run this race several times in the past (maybe six?), and I believe the course route has been changed three times. This is by far the most ideal route (for me)- it seemed to be equal parts downhill and uphill. My Strava app showed about a 180’ incline, and by the end, my legs were burning! Now that I know the route, I can comfortably say that I would run it quicker next time.
Plenty of course markers and people lined the route, and I appreciated the water stop at 1.5 miles.
As always, the post-race refreshments were plentiful! Bagels, juice, chili and fruit lined the whole wall of the gym. The awards for top three in each age group was a nice heavy medal.  I managed first in my age group!

4/12/2025 John Fabianich McClay, Lisa Keane, Josh Kean, And Lynett McClay Forget The PR 50K and 25K Trail Race Loudonville, Ohio

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4/12/2025

Forget The PR 50K and 25K Trail Race

50K

John Fabianich McClay

Finish Time:  5:40:42

Overall Place:  18th Place / 141

Division Place:  4th Place 31

25K

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  4:08:05

Overall Place:  19th Place / 68

Division Place:  2nd Place / 12

Josh Keane

Finish Time:  4:25:28

Overall Place:  26th Place / 68

Division Place:  7th Place / 13

Lynett McClay

Finish Time:  6:10:17

Overall Place:  63rd Place / 68

Division Place:  11th Place / 12

Race Recap By John Fabianich McClay:

On Saturday, the 13th, I took part in the Forget The PR 50K at Mohican, a race I thoroughly enjoy. The course was expertly marked, allowing for seamless navigation, and the aid stations offered a comprehensive range of necessary supplies. Ultimately, I secured an 18th place finish out of 141 participants, with 6 DNF and 16 DNS. The challenging course included an elevation gain of 4,560 ft, which I completed in 5 hours, 40 minutes, and 29 seconds. I offer my congratulations to all finishers and anticipate returning next year.

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

Pick your poison 25K or 50K in beautiful Mohican State Park!
The loops are a little different so the distance can be a bit deceiving. I chose the 25K distance and ran just under 18 miles which would have been fine except I didn’t know it was happening and didn’t plan my fluids accordingly. This leaves the 50K with a shorter 2nd loop of 13 miles.
Easy directions, ample free parking a short hike across the 2 lane highway, and indoor packet pick up/ staging/ restrooms/ showers for the post race commute home.
I loved the course with all the rocks, roots, mud, hills, and even a waterfall! Lots of run time near the river plus a bonus 187 stairs up and over the dam!
Gun start / finish. The course is well marked with 3 well stocked aid stations including beer and chili at the finish.
All athletes receive a cool short sleeve tee and finisher’s medal. Overall finisher awards but no age group for this one.
I look forward to this again next year!

Race Recap By Josh Keane:

There are races that challenge you and then there are races that humble you. The Forget the PR 25k and 50k at beautiful Mohican State Park is certainly one that will challenge you and humble you if you are not prepared. Somewhere around 170-180 ft. Of elevation gain per mile! This event is very well organized with a very challenging and beautiful course. The course was well marked and the aid stations were well stocked with and all volunteers were wonderful. Hot chili and beer at the finish never hurts either! Today is where preparation meets opportunity, on Saturday my body and mind were not prepared for the opportunity. Struggling with hamstring issues about 14 miles in slowed me down and ultimately I dropped from the 50k down to the 25k. I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed this course. Next year I will certainly be back to be better prepared for the opportunity and crush the 50k! I am hoping to drag some more of our Team ER peeps along with us!

Race Recap By Lynett McClay:

I have found this Mohican State Park event to be the most challenging race I have undertaken, surpassing the PR 25k and 30k. The one secret that was kept from the 15k finishers was that you had a few extra miles to complete. Indoor packet pickup was available, complete with shower stalls and bathrooms, and parking was located nearby, just a brief walk to the start and finish. The course traversed the beautiful Mohican State Park, featuring technical stretches with numerous roots, mud, and gravel roads, in addition to a considerable 187 stairs situated near the dam. The route also included the daunting Big Ass Hill, succeeded by a prolonged downhill and subsequent ascent of Big Ass Hill Brother. The scenic backdrop featured a picturesque waterfall and further stairs. Multiple aid stations were stocked with an assortment of snacks to fuel participants. The finish line was positioned atop a hill, with participants receiving a mug, t-shirt, and finisher’s medal, and 50k participants earning a belt buckle.

4/12/2025 Brittany Kiehl Canalway Classic Spring Peeper 2 Mile Race Canal Fulton, Ohio

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4/12/2025

Canalway Classic Spring Peeper 2 Mile Race

Brittany Kiehl

Finish Time:  24:21

Overall Place:  61st Place / 151

Division Place:  N/A

Race Recap By Brittany Kiehl:

This race is a major fundraiser for Friends of Stark Parks. There was plenty of parking and packet pickup was easy. You could do 2 miles or 5 miles or both for a total of 7. The 2 mile course was a scenic out and back along the Tuscarawas River. You received the same medal (which was wooden this year) for doing both races. There were only age group winners for the 5 mile race. Swag was a nice winter beanie with the frog logo. Post race snacks included bananas, trail mix, and bags of pretzels.

4/12/2025 Nancy Wardell Bunny Hop 5K Lisbon, Ohio

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4/12/2025

Bunny Hop 5K

Lisbon, Ohio

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  31:05

Overall Place:  48th Place / 127

Division Place: 4th Place / 17

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I completed the Bunny Hop 5k this morning in Lisbon, Ohio! This event was very well organized with many volunteers to help with packet pickup and directions on the course. The awards were held inside and there was some light refreshments provided including some granola bars and fruit gummies. Loved the free bunny ears they passed out too! I finished 4th in my age group with a total time of 31:05 and a pace of 10 minute miles. Stay warm out there everyone!

4/5/2025 & 4/6/2025 Josh Keane, Lisa Keane, Lynette McClay, Nancy Wardell, And Kellie Tomblin Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Run For Home Half Marathon And 10K New Philadelphia, Ohio

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4/5/2025 & 4/6/2025

The Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Run For Home Half Marathon And 10K

New Philadelphia, Ohio

Half Marathon

Josh Keane

Finish Time:  2:08:39

Overall Place:  110th Place / 205

Division Place:  7th Place / 11

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  2:15:29

Overall Place:  128th Place / 205

Division Place:  9th Place / 13

Lynette McClay

Finish Time:  2:51:08

Overall Place:  194th Place / 205

Division Place:  13th Place / 13

10K

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  1:04:18

Overall Place:  61st Place / 93

Division Place:  3rd Place / 8

Kellie Tomblin

Finish Time:  1:08:06

Overall Place:  72nd Place / 93

Division Place:  4th Place / 6

Race Recap By Josh Keane:

“If it ain’t raining we ain’t training!” The Run for Home 1/2 marathon this morning brought the rain along with a great course and dropping temps. We have not ran this race in a few years and although it was a little different course this year it was still a great race. A couple of challenging hills on the course and mostly road for this half marathon. A nice path through New Philadelphia and Dover Ohio. Great aid stations and the best volunteers. Packet pick up and prerace are indoors and the finish is inside of the football stadium with pizza and a great atmosphere. Not my fastest half but still turned in a respectable 2:08 finish. Loved the course and will certainly run this one again.

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

We have not run this race for several years and I forgot how much we truly enjoyed it!
There was some adverse weather leading up to race day but course change communication was great, easy directions, and plenty of free parking close to the start / finish.
This one is local for us and it was amazing to see so many familiar faces!
This event supports the local Habitat for Humanity program with beneficiaries of the program volunteering for packet pick up, aid stations, and traffic control ❤️
Indoor packet pick up / staging/ restrooms but outdoor area at the finish. It was cold and rainy all day so we were soaked and there was little shelter waiting for friends to come in.
Chip timing for a well marked and mostly flat, fast road course with plenty of police / volunteer presence for safety.
Multiple hydration stations on course and a full aid station at the finish line with PIZZA!
All athletes receive a LS tee, finisher’s medal, and free photos.
Overall and age group awards for top 3.
Race Recap By Lynett McClay:
I haven’t participated in this race since before Covid. It’s one of my favorite events to attend. This race supports Habitat for Humanity. The course is mostly flat with a few steep inclines. Volunteers efficiently managed the water and Gatorade aid stations. Numerous friendly police officers and volunteers ensured safe street crossings. Indoor packet pickup was available, complete with indoor restrooms. Post-finish refreshments included granola bars, bananas, water, and pizza. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a designated warming area after the race. Today’s weather made the event more challenging, with wind, rain, and dropping temperatures at the finish. I definitely plan to participate in this race again.
Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:
I completed the Cleveland Clinic Run for Home 10k this morning and the weather was lovely! This course is organized very well with volunteers at every turn to point you in the right direction and cheer you on your way! I love all the goodies included in the bag and the yummy snacks and pizza! They gave the 10k runners a nice hat that was pretty cozy and a nice pair of running gloves as well. I finished third in my age group at 1:04:18 and a pace of 10:21. Received a nice medal that attaches onto the finisher medal!
Race Recap By Kelli Tomblin:
I did the Run for Home 10k this morning. I got to see & wish the sweet Nancy Wardell good luck as well.Glad the rain drops held off. So glad I had my yummy boom nutrition gel to carry me through my run smoothly! Matt Ritzert organized another great race! Good signs at turns good volunteers.Cub scouts did a great job on their water station! Friendly policeman also directing traffic. Nice medals, dominoes pizza , water, snacks, fruit. A big monitor inside to check your time. Fun photo props to take pix with ! Definitely doing it again next year!