Daily Archives: June 9, 2025

6/7/2025 John Fabianich McClay, Josh Keane, Christine Churpek, Rachel Turner, And Stephanie Orwick Eagle Up Ultra Canal Fulton, Ohio

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6/7/2025

Eagle Up Ultra

Canal Fulton, Ohio

100 Mile Trail Race

John Fabianich McClay,

Finish Time:

Overall Place:

Division Place:

Josh Keane

Finish Time:

Overall Place:

Division Place:

100 Mile Relay

Team Collectively Happy Paces

Finish Time:

Overall Place:

Division Place:

Team ER Members Christine Churpek, Rachel Turner And Stephanie Orwick.

Volunteers:

John Fabianich McClay
Josh Keane
Lisa Keane
Lynett McClay

Race Recap By John Fabianich McClay:

I participated in the Eagle Up Ultra over the weekend, a 24-hour race. The course is flat and fast, consisting of a 5-mile loop with various distances ranging from 25k to 100 miles. The aid stations were plentiful. The Race Director Jeremy Followay and the volunteers organized a successful event. I completed the 100-mile distance in 22 hours and 11 minutes. Congratulations to all finishers and thank you to Billie Kay for her assistance at the end.

Race Recap By Lynett McClay:

Eagle up Ultra is a 24hr race that is located in Canal Fulton that supports veterans .This course is flat and fast and is a 5 mile loop on the tow path. This race also consists of multiple distance starting with 25k all the way to 100 miles. Aid stations were plentiful with everyone needs including Old Carolina BBQ for lunch and pizza for dinner. The runners received a wrist band for 2 free beers from Lockport Brewery . Racers also receive a soft tank top and finishers medals. Packet pick up is easy the night before or morning of. They had multiple port-a-potties. Many racers and spectators were able to camp out and cheer their runners on along the coarse. I loved volunteering for this race.

6/7/2025 Scott Orlando, Veronica Neubert, And Russ Neubert The Headwaters Adventure Race Mantua, Ohio

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6/7/2025

The Headwaters Adventure Race

2 Mile Run, 10 Mile Bike, And 5 Mile Kayak

Mantua, Ohio

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  1:49:58

Overall Place:  3rd Place Overall / 83

Division Place:  N/A

Veronica Neubert,

Finish Time:  2:01:32

Overall Place:  2nd Place Overall Female / 83

Division Place:  N/A

Russ Neubert

Finish Time:  2:06:23

Overall Place:  18th Place / 83

Division Place: 3rd Place / 8

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

Yesterday I competed in the Headwaters Adventure Race. The race consists of a 2 mile run, 10 mile bike, and 5 mile kayak. I had a solid clean race and finished in 3rd place overall.
I felt strong on the run and even held back a little averaging around a 7:20 pace trying to conserve energy for the nasty hills waiting for me on the bike course.
The hills on the bike course definitely showed in my average speed, but I felt a little better than I thought I would. I passed several bikes ahead of me and was passed by just one biker as I made my way to Camp Hi for the bike to kayak transition.
The kayak leg was really tough this year with the water being very low and slow. There was lots of debris (rocks, branches, and trees) to navigate around. With the water level being so low polarized sunglasses were essential for spotting obstacles hiding under the surface. Once in the kayak. I quickly caught up to and passed several kayaks and tandem canoes. I think most were relay teams. I was sandwiched by a kayak and aluminum tandem canoe that rammed the side of my kayak while it struggled to make a sharp turn. Once I got through the traffic I was alone on the river.
Even with the help of the polarized glasses I still hit my share of logs and caught a few paddle edges that almost flipped me. There were just so many obstacles and tight turns it was nearly impossible not to hit a few things paddling a 19’ surfski.
I saw some spectators on the bank that informed me I was in 5th place. I kept pushing and at mile 3 caught up to a young man. He saw me gaining on him and started paddling harder. His rental kayak was no match for my Stellar SR Multisport and I passed him. Soon after I passed the racer that passed me on the bike. I was once again alone on the river and didn’t see another racer.
I saw the last bridge before the takeout point and picked up the pace to the cheers of the spectators above. There was a shelf of rocks just in front of the bridge with extremely shallow water and no safe line. I hated hearing the sound of my kayak scrape the rocks but the multisport hull did its job and staid intact. I made my way to the bank of the river, volunteers steadied my kayak while I got out, and sprinted through the finish chute to claim 3rd place overall.  My finish time of 1:49:58 was slower than the previous 2 years.  I believe my run and bike splits were similar to if not faster than the previous last 2 years but my kayak leg was much slower do to the lower river conditions.
It’s a great day of racing when you make the big podium for overall awards.
Congratulations to Veronica Neubert who placed 2nd overall for the women in a photo finish that was really too close to call. She could have easily been declared the winner. Both women deserved to win.
Congratulations to Russ Neubert who competed in his first triathlon in over 2 years after undergoing hip replacement surgery.
All participants received nice t-shirts and finisher medals.  There were plenty of post race snacks.  This year the race date was moved up to June to coincide with a festival at the same park making for a busy, energetic, and fun finisher celebration.
Thank you to Portage Park District Foundation and all of the volunteers for putting on an amazing race. The race was so well organized and everything ran so smoothly.

 

Race Recap By Veronica Neubert:

Nothing like a little triathlon before the big  dance recital.  It was a photo finish (we crossed the same time) but I will gladly take 2nd place.  One of thee most challenging paddles with lots of debris and the water level being  really low.

6/7/2025 Lisa Keane, Nancy Wardell, Lynett McClay, And Kelli Tomblin The Strawberry Festival 5K Bolivar, Ohio

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6/7/2025

The Strawberry Festival 5K

Bolivar, Ohio

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  26:33

Overall Place:  50th Place / 206

Division Place:  1st Place / 10

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  30:33

Overall Place:  97th Place / 206

Division Place:  3rd Place / 13

Lynett McClay

Finish Time:  34:59

Overall Place:  139th Place / 206

Division Place:  6th Place / 10

Volunteers

Kelli Tomblin

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

Nothing says summer more than a Strawberry Festival 5K!
Great communication leading up to race day Ample, free parking a short walk to the start / finish.
Organized and easy packet pick up.
Chip timing for a flat, fast road race.
Course is well marked with police / volunteer presence for safety.
All runners get a soft SS tee or there is “no shirt” option for a discount
Water, snacks, and Strawberry beer after the race in a fun, festive atmosphere!
Loved hanging with my Team ER peeps!
Top 3 overall and age group awards
Very excited to place 1st in my age group!

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

! completed the Strawberry Festival 5k with my other half, grand baby for the seedlings run, and some awesome teammates who had me cracking up! I love this race each year in Bolivar, Ohio! This is a nice flat course and has a nice after award ceremony with some fruit, granola bars, and strawberry ale if you want! I got third in my age group with a total time of 30:33 and pace of 9:50 which I’m super happy with!! Love the festival and activities with this event too!

Race Recap By Lynett McClay:

The Strawberry Festival 5k is a great way to start your summer off. . This race is flat and fast with multiple police and volunteers made it safe and easy to run through town and through the industrial park with 1 water stop on this hot steamy morning.. Packet it pick up was easy the morning of with a short walk to the start/ finish. Plenty of parking for all. There were plenty of snacks for after the race including strawberry beer. Each participant receives a soft tee with exception of not receiving a t-shirt with a small discount. I also set a personal record on this race with a time of 34:58. I will definitely try to keep this race in the schedule.