Category Archives: Uncategorized

9/19/2026 John Fabianich McCLay, Christine Churpek, Rachel Turner, Josh Keane, Terri Bednar, Lisa Keane, And Lynett McClay Best Of The West Trail Race Ravenna, Ohio

Posted on by

9/19/2026

Best Of The West Trail Race

Ravenna, Ohio

Trail Marathon

John Fabianich McCLay

Finish Time:  4:41:13

Overall Place:  14th Place / 60

Division Place:  1st Place / 60

Christine Churpek

Finish Time: 5:01:51

Overall Place:  19th Place / 60

Division Place:  1st Place Overall Female Finisher

Trail Half Marathon

Rachel Turner

Finish Time:  1:59:00

Overall Place:  9th Place / 126

Division Place:  1st Place Overall Female Finisher

Josh Keane

Finish Time:  2:26:39

Overall Place:  40th Place / 126

Division Place:  2nd Place / 4

Terri Bednar

Finish Time:  2:42:41

Overall Place:  58th Place / 126

Division Place:  1st Place / 1

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  2:47:35

Overall Place:  63rd Place / 126

Division Place:  1st Place / 4

Lynett McClay

Finish Time:  3:51:14

Overall Place:  110 / 126

Division Place:  3rd Place / 5

Race Recap By John Fabianich McClay:

On Saturday I ran the BEST OF THE WEST MARATHON hosted by Western Reserve Racing. This race is one of my favorite marathons and it always falls on my Birthday Day weekend. The course was well marked but this year i got off course got loss totally my fault for not paying attention. The aid stations were well-stocked. I finished 14th overall and 1st in my age group. Good job to everyone that finished.

Race Recap By Christine Churpek:

Yesterday I ran the Best of the West Trail Marathon by Western Reserve Racing! I somehow managed to finish as the 1st overall female!
The weather was perfect, and even the light rain felt good. The course was absolutely beautiful, with a great mix of wooded trails and a few miles of paved running. The muddy, swampy section right before the half turnaround was definitely the toughest part!
After the 13.1-mile turnaround, I knew I was in first because everyone running toward me was yelling, “1st place female! You got this!”
And then… I got lost around mile 14.5.  I ended up about a mile behind and didn’t think I had a chance, but I finally caught the 1st place female with about a mile to go.
I knew I had to go for it, so I sprinted as hard as I could to get around her… and then I did NOT look back. I just kept sprinting all the way to the finish.
My final 0.33 miles was a 7:39 pace!
And because I got lost twice, I ended up running 27.33 miles instead of 26.2. Definitely not the most direct route, but somehow it worked out!
Celebrated afterward at Belltower and then Beware of the Leopard with some great people! 🍻
Most importantly, I’m so proud of all my athletes and friends who earned awards, finished the race, tackled their own goals, or were out there supporting everyone.
What a day. What a course. What a race.

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

So happy the humidity finally broke! Perfect weather for a run through the woods! We even had a little rain shower to cool us off mid race!
This well marked course is flat and fast with minimal technical areas, minimal elevation, and road sections making it a nice transition for anyone wanting to dip their toe in the trail experience! Lots of road runners joined us this time! The rain also provided a surprise mud section towards the end of the course!
Enjoyed talking to all the new trail runners today and was very happy with my 1st place age group!
Congratulations to all of my fellow Team ER members – everyone placed!

9/19/2026 Nancy Wardell Medal Madness 5K Bradenton, Florida

Posted on by

9/19/2026

Medal Madness 5K

Bradenton, Florida

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  23:12

Overall Place:  4th Place / 32

Division Place:  1st Place Overall Female Finisher

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I ran the Medal Madness 5k in Bradenton, Florida with the husband. This was a well organized small race that looped Heritage Lake! We loved the different medal options and I went with the cute little hula dancer option. Jack picked the awesome American Eagle one! Great vacation Medals for sure! I finished with a total time of 23:15 giving me a pace of 7:29 which I’m happy with considering the high humidity in Florida!! I scored first female overall and Jack crushed it too with third male overall!

9/13/2026 Roy Miller And Scott Orlando Portage Lakes Triathlon And Duathlon Portage Lakes, Ohio

Posted on by

9/13/2026

Portage Lakes Triathlon And Duathlon

Portage Lakes, Ohio

Sprint Triathlon

Roy Miller

Finish Time:  1:49:18

Overall Place:  82nd Place / 187

Division Place 3rd Place / 7

Super Sprint Duathlon

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  1:03:06

Overall Place:  4th Place / 12

Division Place:  2nd Place Overall Male

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

This morning I competed in the Portage Lakes Duathlon. I thought I registered for the sprint distance but apparently I signed up for the super sprint race. Being that it wasn’t my best training cycle I found no good reason to try to switch to the longer sprint race so I just went with it.
When I arrived to the race I wasn’t prepared for the pitch black early morning conditions. It’s not easy preparing your gear for a race in complete darkness. I learned a pro tip this morning which was show up early with a headlamp! Registration was a little slow and there appeared to be a bit of confusion as the volunteers tried to learn the registration protocols and systems. Luckily I was there early and got through registration before the lines got really long. Transition set up was a little better as there were lights in the coral. Once I was set up it was time to stand in line for the porta potties. I was surprised to see just four porta potties for the entire race field! Luckily I found a park outhouse not too far away with no lines. The bike racks weren’t my favorite. They were small racks that fit 2-3 bikes and not secured to the ground. I’m glad I went back to check my transition area before the race started because my rack went from 1 bike (mine) to 3 bikes and my bike had clearly been knocked over with my helmet and glasses laying on on ground. Pretty disrespectful even for beginners not to pick up my bike and gear after they knocked them over.
As start time approached duathlon participants gathered near the run start unsure exactly where to go. They started our pre race instructions so we knew we were in the right place. As soon as the announcements ended they gave us exactly 15 seconds to start the race which caught everyone off guard. We were supposed to have a bike and car escort but they started the race before the bike and and car escorts were in place so we went without them. Just as we started a white van blocked the run route not 100 meters into the course. They seemed to move out of the way just in the nick of time.
The super sprint duathlon was a 2 mile run, 8 mile bike, and 2 mile run. There wasn’t a very big race field. The super sprint, sprint, and Olympic distance duathlon races all started at the same time. Color coded race bibs easily identified which race distance each athlete was competing. The course makers were color coded as well which made navigation easy. The run course for the super sprint was a simple out and back course. I was quickly in the lead group of runners for the first run. I came into transition one in 3rd place. My transition was a little slow. The bike course full of hills and turns. I didn’t have a real strong bike leg. The first hill on the course was very steep and ate me up! When I got back to the transition area after the bike leg I couldn’t get my bike back in the rack. I have no idea what the 2 guys sharing the rack did but the rack was folded up, moved, and about to fall over. I tried to use the rack but it wouldn’t work so I had no choice but to lean my bike between the rack and barrier the best I could. Heading out of transition two and back on the run course I thought I was 3rd overall and in 1st place for the male division but a mile into the second run I saw a male runner ahead of me. I wasn’t sure how he got in front of me. I was pretty much in cruise mode thinking no one was anywhere near me to challenge my position. Looking at the data it appears he passed me in the first transition. He had a fast bike time so he was out of my vision until I saw him on the second run. By then it was too late to attempt to catch him. I ended up finishing as the 2nd place overall male and 4th overall in the race with a time of 1:03:06.
Race swag included optional choice of long or short sleeve shirt (additional shirt fee required) nice finisher medals, fruit, granola bars, and McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches.
There was no awards ceremony. Most likely because of all of the different race options and distances would make it challenging. Awards were delayed for some time due to some glitches with their systems but I did end up receiving a medal that attaches to the finisher medal ribbon. There was a podium to take pictures and a PR / 1st time triathlon gong.
I think that improvements could be made to streamline the registration process and of course provide more than four porta potties, but for the most part HFP racing did a great job.
Thank you to HFP racing, all the volunteers, and the sponsors for putting on a great race. Congratulations to Roy Miller who placed 3rd in his division of the sprint triathlon.

 

9/13/2026 Felicia Neal Crowell Hilaka Trail Run 10K Richfield, Ohio

Posted on by

9/13/2026

Crowell Hilaka Trail Run 10K

Richfield, Ohio

Felicia Neal

Finish Time:  1:10:36

Overall Place:  3rd Place / 13

Division Place:  1st Place Female Masters

Race Recap By Felicia Neal:

Event #50 was the Crowell Hilaka Trail Run 10k located in Richfield Heritage Preserve also known as a Girl Scout camp that started in 1937. This race was very well organized and marked 6 mile loop of primitive single track, bridle trails, open fields and camp roads. It was very pretty but because of the humidity it felt like the Amazon Jungle. I was first in my age group and 3rd overall, and I got the female masters award.

9/12/2026 Terri Bednar, Josh Keane, Felicia Neal, Lisa Keane, And Lynette McClay The Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic Youngstown, Ohio.

Posted on by

9/12/2026

The Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic

Youngstown, Ohio.

Terri Bednar

Finish Time:  3:34:40

Overall Place:  50th Place / 94

Division Place:  N/A

Josh Keane

Finish Time:  3:35:42

Overall Place:  51st Place / 94

Division Place:  N/A

Felicia Neal

Finish Time:  3:40:14

Overall Place:  55th Place / 94

Division Place:  N/A

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  3:40:29

Overall Place:  56th Place / 94

Division Place:  N/A

Lynette McClay

Finish Time:  5:05:22

Overall Place:  96th Place / 94

Division Place:  N/A

Race Recap By Terri Bednar:

Saturday I got to run in the Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic (or YUTC)-pronounced YUT’-zee for Lisa Keane’s birthday race! The race was at beautiful Mill Creek Park which I’d never been. There was a 25k option and a 50k option. I chose 25k. The course was so gorgeous and had good vert, roots, rocks, river crossings but was still runnable. Very little road which I loved!! Course markings were perfect! Packet pickup was super easy and the aid stations were fully stocked. As an added bonus there were bathrooms all along the course.  There were no age group awards but participants got a visor, bumper sticker and a great shirt! I really enjoyed this race and I’ll be back!

Race Recap By Felicia Neal:

Event #49 was Yutc 25k for Lisa Keane’s Birthday! This was a fun trail run at Mill Creek Metro Parks in Youngstown Ohio. This race took you around this beautiful park. There was only overall placements and we got a visor at the end folllowed by beer, chili and fajitas! I had a great time with my ER family!

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic Late summer scenic trail race thru beautiful Mill Creek Park – absolutely stunning! Waterfalls, boulders, and mostly single track trail.
Pick your distance, 1 loop or 2 on a well marked course with 2 full aid stations and hot lunch at the finish.
Nice swag and all the best friends!
Congratulations to all of my TEAM ER peeps! It was a great bday race!

Race Recap By Lynett McClay:

YUTC 25K AND 50K. This is a beautiful course at Mills Creek park in Youngstown. The course is mostly single track, with plenty of rocks ,roots, elavation. Plenty of parking for all participants and families to cheer you on. Packet pick up was easy. Each runner receives a long sleeve t-shirt, and visor for your medal. No age group awards. As I was running i ran through a group of very mean wasps? I got stung 3x. Bees 3 Lynett 0. Thank you to my husband John Mark FabianichMcclay who was there to support and cheer us on and he also ran me in during the thunderstorm. Thank you to Team ER Lisa Keane,Josh Keane, Terri Bednar , and Felicia Neal for waiting for me. Congrats to all the finishers!!

9/12/2026 Lori Fritz Berlin Amish Half Marathon Millersburg, Ohio

Posted on by

9/12/2026

Berlin Amish Half Marathon

Millersburg, Ohio

Lori Fritz

Finish Time:  3:26:57

Overall Place:  347th Place / 353

Division Place:  7th Place / 7

Race Recap By Lori Fritz:

I really do like the course for the Berlin Amish Country Half Marathon. I love the fact that several of the residents will be out on their porches/driveways/front lawns cheering on participants. This race also has a great amount of volunteers, and the course is so well marked! You cannot make a wrong turn! I like the scenery and the farmland. I actually like the hills! The goodie box at packet pickup is chock full of goodies, and the finish line food!! The finish line food is top notch!

9/12/2026 Nancy Wardell, Steve Zenar, Mike Williams, Stephanie Orwick, Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford, Chris Kiehl, And Brittany Kiehl Four Leaf Clover Run Akron, Ohio

Posted on by

9/12/2026

Four Leaf Clover Run

Akron, Ohio

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time: 26:51

Overall Place: 13th Place / 364

Division Place:  1st Place Overall Female

Steve Zenar

Finish Time: 36:32

Overall Place: 65th Place / 364

Division Place:  75th Place / 14

Mike Williams

Finish Time: 36:33

Overall Place: 66th Place / 364

Division Place:  7th Place / 18

Stephanie Orwick

Finish Time: 36:42

Overall Place: 67th Place / 364

Division Place:  4th Place / 35

Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford

Finish Time: 48:35

Overall Place: 174th Place / 364

Division Place:  16h Place / 40

Chris Kiehl

Finish Time: 1:13:53

Overall Place: 343 Place / 364

Division Place:  8th Place / 9

Brittany Kiehl

Finish Time: 1:13:53

Overall Place: 344th Place / 364

Division Place:  19th Place / 21

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I ran the Four Leaf Clover Run in Akron this morning with a bunch of teammates and friends! Congratulations to all my fellow runners today! Great weather and loved the fun cookout for the post race award ceremony!

Race Recap By Steve Zenar:

I had a great time running the Four Leaf Clover 4‑Miler today. I wasn’t aiming for speed — just wanted to get in some miles and spend a little time with Mike Williams since we haven’t had time to train or race together this summer.
The race was extremely well organized, with plenty of police and volunteers keeping the roads clear and everyone safe (huge thank you to all of them!). The post‑race setup was fantastic too — food, drinks, a band, and a fun atmosphere all around.
Unfortunately the rain rolled in not long after I finished, and with a trip up to Cedar Point to celebrate my son’s birthday, I didn’t get to hang out and enjoy the festivities for long.
All in all, a great race, wonderful seeing so many Team-ER teammates, and an awesome course to grab some miles with the Akron Half just two weeks away.  See you soon on the blue line.

Race Recap By Brittany Kiehl:

My first time participating in this race. It benefits cancer patients of all ages in Northeast Ohio. The race directors did great job at communicating and giving clear instructions prior to race day. The finish line was in a different spot than the start. So they suggested parking near the finish which was about a quarter mile down the road.
The race started at 10am and it was pouring as we finished. The course was hilly, but it showcased parts of the famous brick roads in the West Hill neighborhoods of Akron and Glendale Cementary. The finish line was on the 50-yard line of the football field at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
I also loved the design of the shirts and medals that featured the iconic Rubber Worker statue. The post-race festivities were great. However, there was not enough tent space for everyone to fit underneath. The BBQ meal was backed up because they were having trouble keeping the grills going with the heavy rain.
I was sad to hear that next year will be the grand finale for this race. And as Akronite, I’m very curious to see what they meant by a Cadillac Hill challenge next year.

9/7/2026 Nancy Wardell And Lori Fritz Castle 5K Run for Hope Alliance, Ohio

Posted on by

9/7/2026

Castle 5K Run for Hope

Alliance, Ohio

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  23:06

Overall Place:  12th Place / 182

Division Place:  1st Place / 18

Lori Fritz

Finish Time:  33:06

Overall Place:  90th Place / 182

Division Place:  5th Place / 7

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I ran the Castle 5k Run for Hope this morning in Alliance. I really enjoy this race and it seems to get better and better each year! It always has fantastic volunteers and TONS of goodies for the runners and their families! The course was very well marked and loved the new “Keys to the Castle “ awards they made this year for Overall and age group winners! The big ones were really cool and quite heavy! Congratulations to all who ran today!! I won first in my age group with a total time of 23:06 giving me a pace of 7:26, which I’m very thankful for! Was great weather and really appreciate all the extra bonus goodies too!

Race Recap By Lori Fritz:

Most runners cringe if you call them a jogger, but this morning I was absolutely thrilled to be able to jog almost all of today’s Castle of Hope 5k!!
This was my first time running -er, jogging- this one. It is a very nice course that winds through Mount Union College. It was well marked, and all the turns made for a very interesting race. Parking was easy and very near the start/finish line.
I will definitely sign up for this one again next year when I am not injured!