6/21/2025
Canton Pickle Fest 5K
Canton, Ohio
Nancy Wardell
Finish Time: 33:09
Overall Place: 130th Place / 458
Division Place: 7th Place / 29
Brittany Kiehl
Finish Time: 43:38
Overall Place: 288th Place: 458
Division Place: 24th Place / 34
Brittany also volunteered for packet pick up duties before the race.
Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:
I completed the Pickle Festival 5k, Iron Pickle 5k in Canton, OH this morning and was delighted to run into teammate Brittany Kiehl at packet pickup! This race was not the best organized race. It was very confusing starting with where packet pickup was located at, which didn’t match what the final instructions said and there was a lot of confusion even with where the finish line was! The race had people passing each other in opposite directions on a thin trail, so passing other racers was impossible . Parking had the racers walking over a mile back to their vehicles after the race, which made for some cranky people and even the award ceremony was miles away, so racers had to drive to a whole different location if they placed. I ran the race with a time of 33:10 and pace of 10:41. I placed 6th of 29 in my age group. One positive was that there were tons of freebies and awesome medals and swag along with my new inflatable pickle friend!
Race Recap By Brittany Kiehl:
I volunteered for packet pickup before the race. For this race you could add on The Iron Pickle for $5. You carry a container of pickles or a giant inflatable pickle for the entire race and earn an extra medal. Volunteering was tough because we had so many people upset with us. The race was sold out. Some people didn’t receive their inflatable or pickles. Even though there was a handful that picked up their race bibs early!) Some were mad because the start/ finish line changed last minute. And others were mad because they were promised a sticker if they donated items to the foodbank. We had zero stickers. This was the first year for this race. So hopefully, if they do it next year, they can fix some of these issues.
Afterwards I ran the 5K. The course had a nice downhill at the start and scenic views of the creek. However, it was an out and back on a thin trail. So it was next to impossible to pass others. After the finish, participants had to walk over a mile back to their vehicles. Those that parked at the start line had to climb back up a gigantic hill. Overall, I loved the design of the shirts and medals. And the Iron Pickle is a fun add on. The inflatables were so cute! The race also benefited the Akron-Canton Foodbank.
