4/11/2026
The Black Squirrel 5K
Kent, Ohio
Rachel Turner
Finish Time: 20:40
Overall Place: 23rd Place / 380
Division Place: 3rd Place Overall Female
Scott Orlando
Finish Time: 22:54
Overall Place: 42nd Place / 380
Division Place: 3rd Place / 10
Steve Zenar
Finish Time: 23:11
Overall Place: 48th Place / 380
Division Place: 1st Place / 17
Christine Churpek
Finish Time: 25:13
Overall Place: 76th Place / 380
Division Place: 2nd Place / 17
Terri Bednar
Finish Time: 26:02
Overall Place: 87th Place / 380
Division Place: 2nd Place / 18
Mike Williams
Finish Time: 26:37
Overall Place: 96th Place / 380
Division Place: 4 Place / 15
Peter Heroux
Finish Time: 27:02
Overall Place: 108th Place / 380
Division Place: 3rd Place / 17
Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford
Finish Time: 30:29
Overall Place: 177th Place / 380
Division Place: 4th Place / 19
Race Recap By Scott Orlando:
What’s better than earning a medal at a race? How about two medals! Ohio Team ER won the coed team division award and I placed 3rd in my division. I had two goals for today’s race. The first was to place in the top three in my division. The second goal was to finish under 23 minutes. I am happy to say to achieved both goals. I finished 42nd overall with a time of 22.54.
After my previous 5K in March which I wasn’t happy how I felt or my slow finish time I really refocused my training and committed to working on my pace. I also got more disciplined with my nutrition and lost 15 pounds. It was very rewarding to see all of my hard work pay off. I beat my time from last year by 30 seconds. The course for this race is challenging with lots of hills. Today I ran faster and felt better doing it. I’m still not back to where I want to be but I made a lot of progress.
It was fun sharing today’s running experience with so many Team ER members North Water Brewing Run Club members, and other running friends.
All participants received t-shirts and mini race bibs. I really like the mini bibs. They are so easy to wear. The post race ceremony was top notch with a buffet that included bagels, fruit, granola bars, Capri Suns, and chili. The sound system was much improved over previous years making it very easy to hear the awards presentation. Well done Kent State!
Thank you to all of the volunteers who showed up to make the race happen today!
Race Recap By Steve Zenar:
Another great (but chilly) April morning running the Kent State Black Squirrel 5K! Always one of my favorite races to participate in as I enjoy passing by all my old stomping grounds and classrooms in which I spent a wonderful part of my life in. Today I felt awesome and had one of my faster 5K times for this course coming in at 23:11 which was good enough for a first place in my age group . The race was well organized and I especially appreciated the awesome volunteers all along the course who were cheering and pushing us all to get up the hills and go faster. After running they had an awesome post race food selection (nothing like hot chilly after a cold run) and awards ceremony which is highly appreciated.
Look forward to doing it again in 2027!
Race Recap By Terri Bednar:
I ran the Black Squirrel 5k yesterday and this is probably my 4th or 5th time doing this race. Packet pickup is always super easy and quick and it’s close to home. This time I rolled up about 7:20 for an 8 am start. HI had time to grab my bib and do a 2 mile warmup beforehand. I placed 2nd in my AG and this was my fastest 5k in 3 years despite many steep hills! Our team even won a medal for fastest coed team! At the awards they feed you like you ran a marathon and you can get your pic with the mascot! I will do this race again!