5/26/2025

The Tallmadge Memorial Day 5K And 1 Mile Run

Tallmadge, Ohio

5K

Veronica Neubert

Finish Time:  23:49

Overall Place:  36th Place / 163

Division Place:  1st Place / 9

Steve Zenar

Finish Time:  23:53

Overall Place:  37th Place / 163

Division Place:  3rd Place / 6

Mike Williams

Finish Time:  26:13

Overall Place:  59th Place / 163

Division Place:  3rd Place / 6

Josh Keane

Finish Time:  26:21

Overall Place:  60th Place / 163

Division Place:  4th Place / 6

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  26:33

Overall Place:  62nd Place / 163

Division Place:  1st Place / 5

Kevin Christensen

Finish Time:  28:09

Overall Place:  81at Place / 163

Division Place:  1st Place / 4

Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford

Finish Time:  30:02

Overall Place:  100th Place / 163

Division Place:  3rd Place / 5

1 Mile Run

Brittany Kiehl,

Finish Time:  14:54

Overall Place:  22nd Place / 26

Division Place:  N/A

Volunteers

Russ Neubert volunteered to be part of the bike escort to lead the runners.

Josh Keane, Lisa Keane, and Veronica Neubert also volunteered before and after the race.

Race Recap By Veronica Neubert:

I was nervous to run this morning, last race was Loop the Lake in September with Josh and Lisa. I ended up 5th female overall and first in my age group. Glad the knees held up!

Race Recap By Steve Zenar:

I had a wonderful time today at the Tallmadge Memorial Day 5K. Always enjoy running through my Hometown (albeit a couple of the hills always make for a nice bonus challenge). Goal for the day was to go sub 24 minutes – achieved – This was a new PR for this course for me and allowed me to place 3rd  in my age group. It was wonderful to see several Team-ER members who also rocked it today! A Special Thank You to our Veterans who also were recognized at the beginning of the race – well deserved. Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday. See you all at the next race soon!

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

Perfect event for the whole family to kick off your Memorial Day holiday and summer running season!
Organized with plenty of free parking close to the start / finish.
Out and back mostly flat road race with one long, gradual hill. Well marked with police / volunteers presence for safety.
The race started with a short honor to our Veterans and Active Duty Service Members. Gun start / chip finish
Nice after party with music, snacks, and giveaways. Stick around immediately after for the local Memorial Day parade!
All runners receive a patriotic SS tee
Overall and age group awards – excited to place 1st in my age group this year!
Loved seeing so many Team ER members running this weekend! Lots of medals handed out! Congratulations to you all!

Race Recap By Brittany Kiehl:

I completed the 1 mile race with my family. It was well organized with easy parking. We received soft t-shirts. There were plenty of post race snacks. There were overall/ age group awards for the 5K. We went to the pancake breakfast afterwards at the community center, and watched the very short parade. This was a fun way to start Memorial Day!

5/26/2025

Norma Johnson Follow The Flock 5K Trail Race

Dover, Ohio

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  41:24

Overall Place:  34th Place / 49

Division Place:  1st Place / 3

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I completed the Norma Johnson Center “Follow the Flock” 5k this morning in Dover, OH. This is a very hilly and challenging course so be prepared before you try it! This is a beautiful trail run through the woods and has a great after celebration either inside or outside on the patio depending on the weather. They even do raffle drawings and have vendors up sometimes, they just couldn’t this year. I finished first in my age group with a time of 41:24 and pace of 13:20. Hope to try it again next year!

5/25/2025

The Buffalo Marathon

Buffalo, New, York

Kristin Quesenberry Gunyula

Finish Time:  3:19:25

Overall Place:  162nd Place / 1209

Division Place: 2nd Place / 49

Ran A Boston Qualifying Time

George McFall

Finish Time:  3:19:25

Overall Place:  167th Place / 1209

Division Place:  6th Place / 41

Ran A Boston Qualifying Time

Roy Miller

Finish Time:  3:33:06

Overall Place: 274th Place / 1209

Division Place:  10th Place /41

Christine Churpek, And Peter Heroux where on location taking pictures and providing race support for Team ER members.

Race Recap By George McFall:

Now that I have had time to process yesterday’s race I am ready to share a recap. I will try to keep it short but not sure that will actually happen because there is so much to unpack. My goal was 3:17 which was a 3 minute buffer for Boston (my age group BQ time is 3:20:00). This was my first time doing the Buffalo Marathon. I was so excited to do this race with Roy Miller and Kristi Quesenberry Gunyula. Peter Heroux and Christine Churpek made the trip to cheer us on. The race started at 6:30am. It was partly cloudy and the temp was in the mid/upper 40s. Ideal running conditions. The course offered a variety of climbs and downhills. We ventured into a park or two. Ran through a cool marina and what seemed like a lot of roundabouts. There were plenty of aid stations with water and Gatorade and some aid stations offered GU gels. Kristi and I ran the first 20 miles together which was awesome but I started having cramps in my right calf and hamstring so I backed off the 7:30 goal pace. I even had to stop at one point to stretch which is usually not a good thing to do. I fought hard to get back in the mix and had to fight even harder to maintain an 8ish pace to achieve my goal. My coach Jennifer Simmerman was there with me every step of the way encouraging me to push through the pain and to fight for what I wanted. Kristi was ahead of me but she was still in sight. I wanted so bad to catch up to her but that didn’t happen. 3:17 was out the window and I wasn’t sure if 3:20 was even realistic anymore but I didn’t quit. About a mile or so out, I dug deep. I didn’t want to fail. We approached another roundabout and what I thought would be the straight away to the finish line but there was a right turn then a sharp left around orange cones then a right turn onto the final stretch of road to the finish line. This is when I was able to see the clock and saw it hit 3:20:00 then 3:20:01, 3:20:02…. and at that moment, I thought I didn’t get a BQ. I got across the finish line and fell to my knees. Part frustration part my body was hurting. I gave it everything I had. I didn’t know what my finishing time was until my coach told me and at that moment I broke down and cried. 7 years of trying… missing a BQ two times by 12 seconds.. but I never gave up on my goal. I ran a 3:19:47. New PR and a BQ!!! Kristi ran a PR time of 3:19:25 and Roy ran one hell of a race in his first marathon in a while. His time was 3:33:06. Kristi was 2nd in her AG, I placed 6th in my age group and Roy who is also in my age group was 10th. It was a good day for Team ER in Buffalo. I have so much more to say but will end the recap with a big THANK YOU to everyone who showed up for me the last 7 years.

Race Recap By Roy Miller:

This marathon (my 20th) probably had more meaning to me than any of the ones I had done before. I decided since I turned 50 this year it was time to race for a real reason. My race was a dedication and fundraiser for the National 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. If you are not sure what that is please reach out to me and I can tell you all about it. I raised almost $1000 for the lifeline. Too many of those that have been a part of my life have suffered through depression and I have lost too many. Some family, some friends and others that I have shared both great and rough days with.
The marathon itself was great. The weather was fantastic and the course was really well laid out aside from some rough areas on a few of the roads on the back half. I started out looking to just get through a marathon and feel accomplished and healthy at the end. My last few marathons didn’t quite go as I had planned. This was all about nutrition and keeping my pace in check. I am happy to say that I crossed this finish line without having to walk and had my head held high as I crossed the finish line. 3:33:06 is the second fastest marathon I have run and the fastest since 3:28 over 10 years ago when I was between Ironman training. I would definitely go back and run Buffalo again.

5/24/2025

The Fools Trail Race

Peninsula, Ohio

8 Hour Trail Race

John Fabianich McClay

Finish Time:  7:31:59

Overall Place:  4th Place: 62

Division Place:  1st Place / 3

Miles Completed:  40.3 miles

Josh Keane

Finish Time:  7:47:52

Overall Place:  33rd Place / 62

Division Place:  3rd Place / 6

Miles Completed:  31 miles

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  7:47:56

Overall Place:  34th Place / 62

Division Place:  2nd Place / 5

Miles Completed:  31 Miles

4 Hour Trail Race

Terri Bednar

Finish Time:  3:53:09

Overall Place:  30th Place / 60

Division Place:  1st Place / 3

Miles Completed:  18.6 miles

Lynett McClay

Finish Time:  3:46:56

Overall Place:  52nd Place / 60

Division Place:  2nd Place / 3

Miles Completed:  12/4 Miles

Race Recap By John Fabianich McClay:

Fool 2-4-8 Hour Trail Run. Initially, I was not planning to participate in this run due to personal reasons. However, I am pleased that I did. I would like to extend my congratulations to everyone who completed the run. Western Reserve Racing organized a well-executed event. The communication was excellent, the course was well-marked, and the aid station was fully stocked with everything a runner needed. Notably, the aid station offered mashed potatoes and sloppy joe, which was a delightful surprise. I finished fourth overall and first in my age group, completing 13 loops for a total of 40 miles. Western Reserve Racing

Race Recap By Josh Keane:

Fools 2-4-8 Hour Race was a blast! We had a lot of fun running this one with all of its muddy turns and cool temperatures. The race was very well organized and the 5k loop course was marked great. This course runs through mostly single track trails on an old Boy Scout camp. The aid station was well stocked and the volunteers and observers were fantastic to see after each loop. Team ER showed up and did an outstanding job with each member placing in their age group. I was happy to get another 50k in and place third in my age group. We will definitely look at doing this one again in the future!

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

Looking for a chance to step up your game? This event is for you!
Good communication, easy directions, and ample free parking a short hike to the start / finish.
Plenty of space for runners / spectators to set up tents as well as a fully stocked and manned aid station for easy access support during this endurance race. The volunteers / RDs were top notch!
Choose 2,4, or 8 hours to complete as many 5K loops as you can. This spring I have been focusing on my 25K so this felt like the perfect opportunity to go for a full marathon. I chose the 8 hour option and ended up passing my marathon goal and finished with a 50K and 2nd in my age group!
The course is well marked trail through the woods with only 167’ of elevation per loop. Mostly single track with 3 road crossings, some typical obstacles, and plenty of mud!
Several outhouses located along the course and a nice shower house / indoor facilities at the start / finish.
All athletes receive a soft SS tee and finishers medal. Top 3 overall and age group awards.
Shout out to all my TEAM ER trailblazers who showed up and took home the bling! Way to represent! CONGRATULATIONS!

Race Recap By Terri Bednar:

the Fools 4-hour trail race was great! Well organized and the course was excellent! There were even showers you could use after. The aid station was great with lots of good food and fuel.  I got a cool medal and 1st in my age group!

Race Recap By Lynett McClay:

The Fools 2,4, and 8 hour trail run consists of a 3.1-mile single-track loop through the wooded terrain of Camp Manatoc. Spectators have access to ample parking, allowing them to observe the runners at various points along the course. The terrain features a moderate elevation gain of 167 feet, with rolling hills and mud. Restrooms are conveniently located throughout the course, and a shower room is available after a short hike. The aid station provided sufficient support for all participants. On the day of the event, we experienced favorable weather conditions, with plenty of sunshine and a gentle, chilly breeze. Having not run extensively due to caring for my husbands ailing father, I was pleased to finish second in my age group, although I was unable to complete additional laps due to time constraints.

5/24/2025

The Medina Half Marathon

Medina, Ohio

Kris Engstrom

Finish Time:  2:00:39

Overall Place:  186th Place / 448

Division Place:  10th Place / 20

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  2:35:44

Overall Place:  375th Place / 448

Division Place:  24th Place / 28

Brittany Kiehl

Finish Time:  3:12:14

Overall Place:  435th Place / 448

Division Place:  30th Place / 30

Race Recap By Kris Engstrom:

I ran the Medina Half Marathon on Saturday with fellow Team ER member Nancy Wardell. Second year in a row. Paced myself a lot better this year. Finished in 2:00:39. Race is well organized and you get to enjoy the farmers market afterwards. One vendor has garlic cloves marinated with habanero peppers. Bought two jars.

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I ran the Medina Half Marathon this morning. The course for this race is pretty basic with slight elevation change and I loved the part that goes along the edge of the lake! I even came across a turkey friend that wanted to cheer the runners on and got stopped by a train! Overall, it’s a fun run and ends with a yummy Chick-fil-A chicken biscuit and a nice farmers market you can walk around and browse through after the race! Great having fellow Team-ER teammate Kris Engstrom there to get us to the event and show me the ropes! I finished at 2:35:44 with a pace of 11:53.