3/14/2026

The St. Malachi Church Run

Cleveland, Ohio.

5 Mile Race

Veronica Neubert

Finish Time:  41:47

Overall Place:  182nd Place / 1257

Division Place:  3rd Place / 56

Steve Zenar

Finish Time:  41:51

Overall Place:  186th Place / 1257

Division Place:  13th Place / 64

Kevin Christensen

Finish Time:  53:54

Overall Place:  705th Place / 1257

Division Place:  28th Place / 51

2 Mile Race

Christine Churpek

Finish Time:  19:32

Overall Place:  248th Place / 2308

Division Place:  6th Place / 120

Brittany Kiehl

Finish Time:  35:36

Overall Place:  1437th Place / 2308

Division Place:  70th Place / 112

Brittany Kiehl volunteered for early packet pick up duties while Russ Neubert Volunteered for runner coral duties.

Race Recap By:

Veronica Neubert:

What a fun morning!!! Being tired from last nights competition and not too keen on the wind and cold , I almost passed on this race. I’m so glad I didn’t! Waiting to start was probably the hardest part because once we were counted, we just had to wait (I thought it would be cool to be a part of a Guinness Book of World  Records though). The course was more difficult than the previous years I have done this race (with the last mile uphill ) but the scenery was much better and I liked that it was a closed course! I have no idea how, but I ended up finishing 3rd  in my age group of this huge race ! The most fun was dancing with the students from Burke School of Irish  Dance!

Race Recap By Steve Zenar:

Although it was a bit chilly this morning, the winds finally calmed and the Sunshine was out for the 5 Miler! The new course was highly preferred as we ran along the lakeshore and had wonderful views of Lake Erie. There were a couple of nice hills to test the legs but also some nice downhill to stretch out and push some speed. I wore my Kilt and matching Team-ER jersey…. Still waiting to hear if we we Team-ER to nab a Guinness World Record – but if not, a lot of fun was still had!
Wishing all a wonderful remainder of the weekend! Hope to bump into you soon at the next one!

Race Recap By Kevin Christensen:

Well, I finished the world record setting Malachi 5 mile run. It was a cold delayed start to get certification by the Guinness record folks but we did it.

Race Recap By Brittany Kiehl:

First time doing this race, because last year they switched it to a virtual only event. So I have nothing to compare it too. They had all the race bibs/ swag upstairs on the second floor without any sort of accessibility. So that was a challenge with two boys and a double stroller! Plus they had everyone going in and out the same single door. So it felt chaotic. (God bless the volunteer lady who told me to head back outside and she would bring me kilt so I could be counted.)
The course was hilly but scenic. It was difficult trying to get around people because it was an out and back. I was towards the back and it took forever to count us all for the record. We started 40 minutes after the original start time! There was no communication so we had no idea what was happening or why it was taking so long.
The finish was also a crowded mess because they were counting us all a second time for the record. The medals were being given out on only one side of the tables. I think two lines would have been helpful. It’s also meant to be a stroller friendly race, but it was quite difficult trying to push through the chaotic finish chute. People were just standing by the medal tables in huge groups waiting for their friends to finish. I tried saying excuse me several times but a teen (who was clearly in the finish chute) refused to move. He started yelling at me for almost running over his foot.  I think they could have opened the finish line cones a little more to allow for a little more space.
They had all the snacks inside St. Malachi so you did have a place to warm up. However, I tried to grab the boys a couple snacks before the run because I knew we were headed straight to the van after the run. Plus, I was trying to find something to pass time while we were waiting forever. They were getting so antsy! I was screamed at by a volunteer that they couldn’t have snacks until after the run. She tried to take back the two small bags of chips. I felt it was rude and uncalled for. I kept trying to explain I was not getting any snacks after the race. She was quite unpleasant and followed me all the way outside.
Honestly, I am not sure if this is normally how this race is typically run. But I’m unsure if I would do it again. Between the chaos at the start and waiting forever to start and the unkind teen/ volunteer. It felt way more stressful than fun this year.