Author Archives: Scott Orlando

9/20/2025 John Fabianich McClay, Josh Keane, Terri Bednar, Lisa Keane, And Lynett McClay The Best Of The West Trail Marathon And Half Marathon Ravenna, Ohio

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9/20/2025

The Best Of The West Trail Marathon And Half Marathon

Ravenna, Ohio

John Fabianich McClay

Finish Time:  4:26:39

Overall Place:  7th Place / 66

Division Place:  1st Place / 3

Josh Keane

Finish Time:  6:09:36

Overall Place:  44th Place / 66

Division Place:  4th Place / 5

Terri Bednar

Finish Time:  6:10:40

Overall Place:  45th Place / 66

Division Place:  1st Place / 5

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  6:15:40

Overall Place:  46th Place / 66

Division Place:  2nd Place / 5

Lynett McClay

Finish Time:  3:33:40

Overall Place:  118th Place / 139

Division Place:  3rd Place / 4

Race Recap By John Fabianich McClay:

I completed the Best Of The West Marathon, marking my third participation in this event. Each experience has been better than the last. I appreciated the chance to meet new people and catch up with friends. The weather was perfect for running a marathon. The event was well-organized, with easy packet pickup, clear communication, and parking conveniently located near the start and finish lines. The course was well-marked, with multiple aid stations that were well-stocked. The marathon was an out-and-back course, while the Half Marathon was point-to-point, with a bus provided to return participants to the starting line. Well done to all finishers and great job to TEAM ER.

Race Recap By Terri Bednar:

I ran in the Best of the West Marathon on 9/20! It was gorgeous fall day that I got to spend in nature with great friends!! Western Reserve Racing did a fantastic job of organizing this race. Packet pickup was a breeze, and there were bathrooms with flushing toilets and running water. The aid stations were well stocked and the course was well marked. I am happy to report that I shaved 38 minutes off my trail marathon PR and I was first in my Age Group! I only fell once. I give the race 5 stars and I would do it again!

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

It was a perfect fall day for a trail marathon redemption!
Easy directions, organized packet pickup and good communication.
Ample free parking close to the start / finish and clean indoor restrooms with running water.
Chip timing on a well marked and scenic course running through wooded areas and along the lake. Terrain was a nice mix of rocks, roots, grass and one long hot stretch of road! The leaves are starting to fall making the trail a little more treacherous – I tripped a handful of times before finally biffing it hard enough to knock my hat off of my head!
Aid stations were well spaced and nicely stocked and burritos ready at the finish for all runners!
All runners got a nice short sleeve tee and finishers medal. Overall and 5 year age group awards were 3 deep.
This was my 2nd attempt at a trail marathon. This was a tough race for me. I worked really hard and am happy to report that I improved my time by one hour 16 minutes and placed 2nd in my Age Group!
Congratulations to all of my fellow Team ER trail tribe – everyone placed in their age group!
I would definitely do this one again!

Race Recap By Lynett McClay:

Best of the West Marathon and Half Marathon. This morning presented ideal conditions for a woodland run. Western Reserve Racing organized a well-executed event. The course featured a predominantly flat terrain with intermittent rolling hills. A mix of trails and roads comprised the course, offering scenic views overlooking the dam. The half marathon followed a point-to-point format. Ample parking accommodated all participants. Four aid stations were fully equipped and staffed by supportive volunteers. Indoor restrooms were conveniently located near the start and finish. Packet pickup was efficient, with clear instructions provided. The course was meticulously marked. Having participated in this event for the third time, I secured third place in my age group. All participants received a soft, commemorative tee shirt and medal. I intend to participate in this event again.

9/20/2025 Nancy Wardell Malone XC Night Invitational Community Pioneer 5K Canton, Ohio

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9/20/2025

Malone XC Night Invitational Community Pioneer 5K

Canton, Ohio

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  29:56

Overall Place:  54th Place / 79

Division Place:  1st Place / 2

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I ran the Malone XC Night Invitational Community Pioneer 5K last night, and enjoyed the cooler evening weather! This was a very busy event with tons of high schools, middle schools, and elementary children doing races in every direction! I finished first in my age group with a time of 29:56 and pace of 9:38! It was a fun free race right in Canton!

9/14/2025 John Fabianich McCLay, Josh Keane, Lisa Keane, Lynett McClay And Veronica Neubert Crowell Hilaka Trail Run Richfield, Ohio

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9/14/2025Crowell Hilaka Trail Run Richfield, Ohio

50K Trail Race

John Fabianich McCLay

Finish Time:  6:13:31

Overall Place:  8th Place / 16

Division Place:  2nd Place / 5

Josh Keane

Finish Time:  6:44:22

Overall Place:  12th Place / 16

Division Place:  5th Place / 5

Half Marathon Trail Race

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  2:29:56

Overall Place:  16th Place / 29

Division Place:  1st Place / 4

Lynett McClay

Finish Time:  3:11:04

Overall Place:  21st Place / 29

Division Place:  3rd Place / 4

10K Trail Race

Veronica Neubert

Finish Time:  56:50

Overall Place:  1st Place / 18

Race Recap By John Fabianich McClay:

I am posting this update a bit belatedly. On Sunday, 9-14-25, I completed the Crowell Hilaka 50k Trail Race. This race was a return to the basics, with a traditional gun start and the race director personally verifying bibs at each loop, which consisted of a 6-mile loop. The course featured moderately technical terrain, including a couple of water crossings. The event featured clear communication and straightforward directions. Packet pickup was efficiently organized, with plenty of parking available. Although the course was well-marked, many runners, including myself, experienced confusion and got lost. I hope the race director will host this event again next year, allowing for a chance to improve.

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

Crowell Hilaka Trail Run – Half Marathon
Nice price for a great trail race through beautiful Richfield Heritage Preserve!
Good communication, easy directions, organized packet pick up, and ample free parking near the start / finish.
Back to the basics gun start and the race director checking bibs at the finish.
Small race – All 3 distances started together for a 6 mile loop and a short out and back to finish.
Course was REALLY confusing. Pretty sure every single person got lost at least once. 3x for me! (That I know of)
Typically this could be super stressful for competitive runners but it turned into a joke with runners criss crossing each other or missing entire sections! The race director and runners added distance at their discretion to meet their goals.
One water station on course and snacks / hydration at the start / finish.
Terrain was fairly technical with tons of roots and rocks, some grass, a lot of gravel, and some elevation. There were a couple of water crossings but super dry this year.
Nice shirt / finishers medal
Awards for overall male / female only were pumpkins!
The race director said that she had planned on this being the last year but had such positive feedback, might do it again. I would definitely do it again!

Race Recap By Lynett McClay:

The Crowell Hilaka 50k, 1/2 marathon, and 10k courses showcased the natural beauty of Richfield Heritage Preserve. Although the course was primarily single technical track, it also incorporated sections of gravel roads., grass, roots, and some elevation. A couple of water crossings but they were dry due to no rain. The 2-loop design allowed all distances to start simultaneously. However, I encountered some difficulty navigating the course due to unclear markings, resulting in missing at least 2 miles. In contrast, the event organization excelled in regards to packet pick-up and parking arrangements. Runners were supported by two aid stations – one halfway point offering water, and the start/finish area providing a comprehensive range of essentials. The top 3 finishers were awarded a pumpkin as a prize. Despite initial concerns about discontinuing the event due to low participation, the RD may reconsider hosting it again next year following overwhelmingly positive feedback. My experience was enjoyable, and I would be interested in participating again.

 

 

9/14/2025 Terri Bednar And Mike Williams Fearless Fighters 5K Stow, Ohio

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9/14/2025

Fearless Fighters 5K

Stow, Ohio

Terri Bednar

Finish Time:  28:14

Overall Place:  44th Place / 180

Division Place:  3rd Place Overall Female

Mike Williams

Finish Time:  28:55

Overall Place:  51st Place / 180

Division Place:  4th Place / 8

Race Recap By Terri Bednar:

It was a great day for a 5k on Sunday! I ran the Fearless Fighters 5k. It supports a great cause, pediatric cancer research and the event raised over $23k! The race was well organized with many vendor booths and a basket raffle. My good friend Matt Pallo sang the National Anthem and he rocked it! I ended up taking 3rd female overall and even won $50! I give this race 5 stars and I would definitely do it again!!

9/14/2025 Nancy Wardell Mark Dearing Memorial 5K Navarre, Ohio

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9/14/2025

Mark Dearing Memorial 5K

Navarre, Ohio

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  31:12

Overall Place:  19th Place : 110

Division Place:  2nd Place / 10

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

i ran the first ever Mark Dearing Memorial 5K in Navarre! The course was an out and back race on fairly easy trails. the finisher medal and swag were really nice and loved the flag on them. I finished with a total time of 31:12 and pace of 10:03 and 2nd in my age group! I was a little nervous since it was the 10 yearr age gaps and their timer was acting up (my watch definitely showed I had a faster pace), but it all worked out! Top three in each age group received a $5 gift certificate to Rise Up Cafe coffee shop!  I’ll be trying to complete this one again next year for sure!

9/6/2025 Josh Keane, Lisa Keane, And Lynett McClay Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic Youngstown, Ohio

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9/6/2025

Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic

50K Trail Race

Youngstown, Ohio

Josh Keane

Finish Time: 7:29:29

Overall Place:  37th Place / 53

Division Place:  9th Place / 9

25K Trail Race

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  3:19:27

Overall Place:  55th Place / 119

Division Place:  2nd Place / 9

Lynett McClay

Finish Time:  4:38:31

Overall Place:  102nd Place / 119

Division Place:  5th Place / 9

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

One of the most beautiful trails I have ever run! Truly took my breath away!
Good communication, easy directions, and ample free parking near the start / finish with a clear view of the final leg of the course.
Gun start / chip finish on a well marked mostly single track trail, challenging stairs, and stretches of fast road through Mill Creek Park.
Trail had a nice mix of super technical rocks and roots sprinkled with some very run able trails and 1400′ of elevation.
Trees, boulders, lakes, a waterfall, a working mill, and a covered bridge. Absolutely breathtaking!
Nice after party with chili / fajita / nacho lunch, SS collared tech shirt, running hat, and finisher’s sticker
Perfect weather and great course made for a fairly fast trail race.
Very happy with my 3:19 finish time that put me 16th overall female and 2nd place age group
Top 3 overall male / female finisher awards were cute sock monkeys in honor of one of the many hill climbs. I would absolutely do this one again!
Race Recap By Lynett McClay:
The Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic 50K & 25K is one of the most beautiful trails that I have run by far. This course is mostly single track with technical areas, road, plenty of roots and rocks, challenging stairs, and few good steep hills with elevation of 1400ft, and steep declines. The ran along Mill Creek park with beautiful waterfalls and covered bridge, lake, and trees to climb over. Gun start/ chip finishing a well marked course. Plenty of parking and great communication. A little walk to indoor restrooms or you can use the porta potties near the course. Nice after party with chili/ fajita and nachos lunch. Every participant receives a soft tee shirt and finishers get a hat and sticker. It was a beautiful morning for a run through this scenic course.