Fantastic weather brought out a great turnout for the 2012 Turkey Trot. 60 degrees and bright sunshine brought out 7000 runners.

I have done this race for the last few years, have had some solid races, but a win has always alluded me. 2011 I got second by a few seconds, so was hoping to notch a win in 2012. Got a solid warm up,  started in front row, and as gun went off, I felt like I had to keep a solid pace or get mowed down!! My niece started in the back row – She said it took almost 5 minutes to reach the starting line! First mile was under a 6 minute mile pace, I knew that was too fast, tried to slow it down some, but with people passing me left and right- it was tough. Second mile slowed it down some, but was feeling good. As I hit mile 4 could tell I had gone out to hard – but was still well under my goal time pace (32 minutes) – ½ a mile from finish, out of the corner of my eye – I recognized a guy from Berea in my age group, who I had battled with in several local 5k’s (heavy breather at Tallmadge 5k). He was coming on strong, and as much as I wanted to pick it up – I was at my limit. The bad thing, he had another guy from my age group on his heels.

I ended up 3rd in my age group (out of 160), 135th overall (out of 7000). I still ended up with a new PR of 31.55- a 6.23 pace, 45 seconds faster than 2011- so hard to be disappointed- there’s always next year!

Ken Frankenbery

Big turnout even with the rain and wind! Karen Frankenbery served the hot soup from Fresh Start Diner and Henry provided the sweet tasting banana bread made locally at Mrs. P`s Gluten Free Bakery. After the race looking to warm up and escape the rain under the large tent, Jerry Lynch was spotted in his soaking wet Team ER shirt.  Jerry finished with a time of 1:51:12.

This is a well run race put on by Summit Athletic Running Club.  A huge thanks to Josh Ritchie who is the race coordinator, for making this race a success!

Ray Fryan finished 2nd overall with a time of 24:42 for the 4 mile race!

Jeannie Ritchie – 1st overall female time of 20:34

Paul Lenz – Sunday was a great day to run a marathon.  38 degree temp at start with fireworks synced to ACDC “Thunderstruck” as the gun went off w/18,000 runners.  Nice fog about the city through 10 miles lifted to clear blue skies and perfect temp of 55-60 degrees. Great crowd support and ample fluids over entire run. At miles 17-18, running through the “Horseshoe” on OSU campus was a nice lift new this year.  At mile 20, the race really got rolling as the last 10K was mostly downhill.  I ended up finishing with a PR of 3:13:17.  If you are looking for an October marathon, keep this one in mind.

Ron Hudas  – Marathon, time of 3:41:25

Ray Fryan – Columbus 1/2 Marathon, 1st age group, time 1:23:52

I have been a member of Life Center plus for 6 months, and besides being a fantastic facility- the owners, Jerry & Sue Lynch, are very involved in the local community, and do many fund raisers. When I saw they were doing a charity 5k to fund an anti-obesity program at a local hospital- I knew I had to participate. The fact it’s close to home, and with race starting at 730am provided  a bonus!!

They had approx. 135 people there, and being a first year event- on the same weekend as Towpath Marathon, it was a solid turnout.

Weather was in the 40’s, with drizzle and a threat of rain. I got there early, did a solid warm up by running the course. This would prove to be a huge help, and with weather, most people elected to not warm up, or preview course. At the start, I lined up in front, and watched starter closely, as many people were talking and not paying attention- so when the starter yelled go, I jumped out to a 50 yard lead. At the ½ mile mark, a young runner passed me, and looked pretty strong.  There was a pretty good downhill, and I hung as close as I could.  As we made a few turns, I could see him hesitate slightly, not 100 % sure on where course was. I used these corners to close back in, and as we approached the ½ way point, He again hesitated a hair at turnaround point, I used this to get next to him, and we ran side by side for the next ¼ mile, till He again pulled ahead by a few yards. At one of road crossings, there was a water stop, and a very steep downhill right after. As we approached, He went to grab a water. I decided this was my chance, I shot passed him, flew down the hill- almost hitting the bikes who were leading us out, and went all out. I got a small gap, and as I turned corner for final uphill, I decided to go all out- thinking it might discourage him, being afraid if it came down to a final sprint at finish line, he would out sprint me.

The tactic worked, as I crested top of hill, had a clear lead, cruised to the finish in 19:50- a 6.20 per mile pace (course was long, about 3.2 miles) and my first overall win! It was a nice to win an overall, and celebrated by grabbing my bike and doing a ride home immediately after race

Thanks to Jerry & Sue for a great event!!

Ken Frankenbery

Ray Fryan – 38:01, 4th overall, 1st age group!

Ray F – 2nd overall time 18:58

Craig M. – time 29:21

Everything went well (little rain ) at the Brimfest, we had around 150 runners, raised over $4000.00, all goes to Field High cross country team.