9/24/2022
Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, And Team Relay
Akron, Ohio
Marathon
Jobadiah Christiansen
Finish Time / NA
Jobadiah put up a tremendous fight but ultimately had to withdraw at mile 14 due to food poisoning he contracted earlier in the week.
Half Marathon
Roy Miller
Finish Time: 1:35:34
Overall Place: 97th Place / 2090
Division Place: 5th Place / 107
Scott Orlando
Finish Time: 1:43:21
Overall Place: 207th Place / 2090
Division Place: 10th Place / 107
Christine Churpek
Finish Time: 1:48:55
Overall Place: 329th Place / 2090
Division Place 16th Place / 179
Kristi Gunyula
Finish Time: 1:52:26
Overall Place: 428th Place / 2090
Division Place: 22nd Place / 179
Asad Khan
Finish Time: 1:52:53
Overall Place: 443rd Place / 2090
Division Place: 20th Place / 102
Veronica Neubert
Finish Time: 1:56:11
Overall Place: 530th Place / 2090
Division Place: 24th Place / 179
Loretta Harland
Finish Time: 2:14:21
Overall Place: 1117th Place / 2090
Division Place: 22nd Place / 79
Marathon Team Relay
Christine Churpek
Member Of The Hip To Be Square Relay Team 8481
Finish Time: 3:16:00
Overall Place: 14th Place / 438
Division Place: 3rd Place / 274 (Mixed Division)
Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford and Kevin Christensen
Members Of The 5th Dimension Relay Team 8010
Finish Time: 4:25:02
Overall Place: 239th Place / 438
Division Place: 151st Place / 274 (Mixed Division)
Race Recap By Scott Orlando:
This was my 10th time running in the Akron Marathon having previously completed the half marathon 6 times and the full marathon 3 times. This year I once again ran the half marathon. Race conditions were almost ideal for a long race with temperatures in the high 40’s at the start and just a slight breeze. The course for both the full marathon and half were altered again from previous years which is pretty typical for this race. The biggest challenge in course construction for this race is that Akron is a hilly city. With more and more runners opting for flatter and faster courses to qualify for other races the race directors are always trying to improve the course to make it more appealing. This year’s half marathon course was fairly typical of what to expect from this race which is lots of rolling hills strung together by periodic stretches of flat and downhill sections. The course is always challenging and if you set a PR (personal record) at this race you earned it! My goal was to beat last year’s time and finish under an 8 minute mile pace. I started a little faster then my goal pace and then settled into a nice consistent pace for the middle miles. Some of the more hilly sections slowed me below my goal pace but I was able to make up the lost time on the flat and downhill sections. The last three miles I was feeling pretty good and began to push my pace. Miles 11 and 12 had some hills which made it tough, but I was able to make up time in the last 2 miles thanks to the downhill and flat finish. I even posted a 7:17 13th mile that I was pretty proud of. I finished with a time of 1:43:21 and placed 10th in my age group. Not my fastest half marathon but I achieved my goals so I am happy with my efforts and result. This race is always well organized. Runners received the usual great swag and a bonus running hat for the 20th anniversary of the race. My favorite part of the race was seeing so many other Team ER runners and running friends out there competing and celebrating after the race.