Author Archives: Scott Orlando

10/1/2022 Ken Frankenbery, Scott Orlando, Christine Churpek, Nancy Wardell And Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford Bowman Cup 5K Kent, Ohio

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10/1/2022

Bowman Cup 5K

Kent, Ohio

Ken Frankenbery

Finish Time:  21:23

Overall Place:  24th Place / 164

Division Place:  1st Place / 6

Scott Orlando

Finish Time 22:04

Overall Place:  27th Place / 164

Division Place:  1st Place / 5

Christine Churpek

Finish Time:  23:29

Overall Place:  41st Place / 164

Division Place:  1st Place / 4

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  28:12

Overall Place:  82nd Place / 164

Division Place:  3rd Place / 9

Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford

Finish Time:  30:59

Overall Place:  112th Place / 164

Division Place:  2nd Place / 2

Race Recap by Ken Frankenbery

This was 21st running of the Bowman Cup 5K.  The race starts at Kent State Rec Center, loops through campus, a local bike trail, and ends back at the Kent State Rce Center.  It was 51 degree’s and cloudy.  Some hills and tight turns make it a challenging course.   I tried to keep a steady pace (not go out as hard as I did the last two races) to try to make last lap my strongest.  I felt solid and won my age group and finished 24th overall out of 164 runners.

Team ER was well represented and it was great to see everyone!

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

I have competed in this race several times but this was my first time back since 2017.  Sadly my mother passed away earlier in the week and that was weighing heavy on my heart.  She was usually the first person to wish me good luck, comment on my social media how proud she was of me regardless of my race results, and then tell me I am getting too old to race.   I dedicated the race to her and thought about her with every step and mile.   It was a little chilly and a little windy but nothing too horrible.   The race field was smaller then in years past but still competitive.  The course is sneaky tough with lots of low grade incline everywhere that you can feel but not always see.  I got off to a good start hitting the first mile marker at a 6:52 mile pace.  Then in miles 2 and 3 I hit the inclined and hilly sections of the course and my overall pace was slowed down a bit.  I crossed the finish line with my fingers forming the letter L in honor of my mother who’s name is Lois.  I finished with a time of 22:04 and won my age group.  Runners received t-shirts that were okay.  The registration site stated that all runners would receive performance shirts so I am not sure why changed to basic t-shirts.   There were cash prizes for the overall top finishers, and age group winners received pint glasses and medals.  2nd and 3rd place age group winners received medals.   After the race runners were welcomed back inside the Kent State Rec Center for a buffet of bagels, fruit, granola bars and chili which was nice.   Everyone on Team ER placed with Ken Frankenbery winning his division, Christine Churpek winning her division, Nancy Wardell taking 3rd place in her division and Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford taking 2nd place in her division.   I enjoyed spending time with all the Team ER members as well as so many other local runners that I know.   Later at home I filled the pint glass I was awarded with my mother’s favorite beer and toasted to her memory.

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

Great run in Kent, OH this morning for the 2022 Bowman Cup 5k race! Was exciting to see so many Team-ER members out running together and supporting each other! Congratulations to everyone, especially since all members placed today! Was a great day and Cleopatra Sirnic even powered through to get her 20 miles and my 18 in before stopping this morning! Thanks Cleo for the extra miles!

9/24/2022 Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, And Team Relay Akron, Ohio

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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.