10/11/2025
Canal Corridor 100
Akron, Ohio
John Fabianich McClay
Finish Time: 21:59:51
Overall Place: 31st Place / 188
Josh Keane
Finish Time: 21:59:57
Overall Place: 32nd Place / 188
Thank you to Christine Churpek, Lisa Keane, Lynett McClay, Peter Heroux, Stephanie Orwick, and Terri Bednar who all volunteered at aid stations and or were pacers.
Race Recap By John Fabianich McClay:
On Saturday, I completed the Canal Corridor 100, marking my sixth time participating in this event. This year’s race was distinct due to the government shutdown. Typically, the course is an out-and-back layout. However, this year it consisted of a 33.3-mile loop that had to be completed three times. Initially, I considered deferring my participation until next year. Nevertheless, I had made a commitment to run with my buddy Josh Keane. My initial plan was to accompany him for the first 50 miles and then continue on my own. Instead, I opted to stay with him for the entire 100-mile distance. The course was well-marked, the aid stations were well-stocked, and parking was plentiful. I would like to extend my gratitude to my wife Lynett McClay for providing crew support and tolerating my needs. Congratulations to all finishers, and particularly to Josh Keane on achieving his personal record.
Race Recap By Josh Keane:
After completing the Canal Corridor 100 mile Endurance Run run yesterday I have been struggling how to tell the tale. There just aren’t enough words. After completing this race last year and pretty much having everything go right with a finish time of 23 hours and 30 minutes, my confidence levels were lower this year. Then the government shutdown caused a course change last minute and we were staring at a 33.5 mile loop three times around Akron! My confidence sank even a little more. As usual, the team around me not only lifted me up to handle the challenge but drove me to finish and hit my goal! Thank you to everyone who cheered me on and helped along the way. Most of all thank you Lisa Keane for always being there with me through everything and putting up with me, crewing me for the whole race and pacing us for the last 11 miles! John Mark FabianichMcclay and Jody Engstrom, there is not enough I can say to thank both of you for being the best friends I could ask for! John was able to literally put up with my pace and my talking for the entire 100 miles which was probably four hours slower than he could have finished! He pushed me every step of the way. Then there is Jody who literally left our house in Bolivar at 05:45 was crewing me for the entire race better than anyone could expect to be supported and then drove us home the next day! I also had great pacers in Terri Bednar, Kyle Albaugh, and Kent Sundheimer! We cannot forget Lynett McClay as she was there pacing John but jumping to help us all and cheer me on as well. Thanks to these individuals I was able to PR and hit my goal with three second left! I finished in 21 hours 59 minutes and 57 seconds! In spite of the government shutdown the directors and volunteers put together a great race. Not only do you get a great “golden” buckle and a fantastic fleece full zip this year but I am again in the lottery for the Western States Endurance Run! In spite of the last minute course change the Canal Corridor 100 Mile Endurance race is a great, flat and fast 100 mile race and I will certainly be willing to run it again in the future. This one was tough and again, without the people around me there is no way I could have done it so thank you all that helped me along the way.