5/24/2020
Tallmadge Memorial 5K Virtual and Hybrid Race
Tallmadge, Ohio
Due to the COVID-19 crisis this year’s Tallmadge Memorial 5K was offered as a virtual 5K where participants could run the race virtually on their own course, treadmill, or a track or choose to run the Hybrid marked course on the Tallmadge Freedom Trail with the start and finish line at Ritchie’s Sporting Goods.
Team ER Member Results:
Roy Miller
Finish Time: 20:10
Overall Place: 3rd Place
Scott Orlando
Finish Time: 20:41
Overall Place: 4th Place
Division Place: 1st Place
Asad Khan
Finish Time: 21:59
Overall Place:
Division Place:
Christine Churpek
Finish Time: 22:15
Overall Place: 9th Place Overall 1st Overall Female
Division Place: 1st Place
Amy Stumpf
Finish Time: 22:39
Overall Place: 12th Place
Division Place: 2nd Overall Female
Russ Neubert
Finish Time: 23:52
Overall Place 15th Place
Division Place 1st Place
Mike Williams
Finish Time: 23:55
Overall Place: 16th Place
Division Place: 1st Place
Steve Zenar
Finish Time: 24:58
Overall Place: 19th Place
Division Place: 2nd Place
Loretta Harland
Finish Time: 27:18
Overall Place:
Division Place:
Mike Pastva
Finish Time: 33:46
Overall Place:
Division Place:
Jill Bidwell McCauslin
Finish Time: 38:30
Overall Place:
Division Place:
The virtual race runs through June 7th. Overall and division results will be posted once available.
Race Review by Scott Orlando:
The Tallmadge Memorial 5K is a long standing tradition that was threatened this year by the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to the the fine people at Ritchie’s Sporting Goods and Summit Athletic Runner’s Club they found a unique way to keep the tradition going. Where most race organizers are choosing to cancel races or are going completely virtual, the Tallmadge Memorial 5K found another way in the format of a hybrid race to keep the tradition of the event alive. The hybrid format allowed participants to compete virtually on the treadmill, course, or track of their own choosing, or to compete on a designated marked course on the Freedom Trail with a start and finish at Ritchie’s Sporting Goods. I chose to compete by running the designated marked course. This gave me the opportunity to run part of the Freedom Trail I typically don’t utilize. I must say that the hybrid option was an experience that really made it feel like a typical race. From the minute I parked at Ritchie’s Sporting Goods and picked up my packet I was in race mode. The start / finish line was decorated with flags and the course was well marked as well. I ran an easy mile of the course to warm up and get my bearings. I returned to the start to begin my race. I felt full of nerves and anticipation just like a real race. I hit my GPS and off I went on my very own personal race. The course was very flat and fast. The only downside was the major streets that you had to cross. The way out I was fortunate not to be slowed down too much when crossing the streets. I ran the course about 10:00 am Saturday morning so traffic wasn’t that bad. My goal was to complete the race averaging just under a 7 minute mile pace. At the half way turn around point I was surprised to see that I was much faster then my goal pace. The first major street crossing on the way back I was forced by traffic to stop for a brief moment for a car. Not wanting to lose pace I remembered my Fartlek and interval training from the Team ER weekly challenges and sprinted to the next street crossing trying to make up time. This became my strategy for the remaining 3 streets to cross. Surprisingly this strategy kept me ahead of my goal time even though I had to stop for some cars to pass. Seeing the finish flags made me push hard for the line. I was shocked that for the first time in many years I was under a 21 minute finish time for a 5K. My final time was 20:41 with a 6:45 average mile. I ran a 21:06 in November of 2019 so I knew with some hard work I could get under 21 minutes. I think the increased miles I have been putting in, dropping some extra weight, and the speed work from the Team ER weekly challenges all helped me reach my goal of getting back under 21 minutes for a 5K. The fast flat course also helped! Participants received custom finisher medals and nice face masks that will come in handy for safety at future events. I think the hybrid option was an excellent idea and I hope other race organizers take a look at the format for their upcoming events.
