10/15/2023

Columbus Half Marathon

Columbus, Ohio

Rick Wise

Finish Time:  2:29:25

Overall Place:  5295th Place / 6538

Division Place:  159th Place / 192

10/15/2023

Canal Tavern Of Zoar 5K

Bolivar, Ohio

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  28:27

Overall Place:  34th Place / 139

Division Place:  2nd Place / 5

Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford

Finish Time:  29:51

Overall Place:  48th Place / 139

Division Place:  4th Place / 14

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I completed the TuscParks Annual Canal Tavern of Zoar 5K Run and Walk in Bolivar, OH with Cleopatra Sirnic, my husband, and extended family and it was awesome!! This run is one of my favorites and I highly recommend it! The trails are beautiful with very little elevation and the people are great with communication regarding the shuttle, direction on turns, and after party celebrations with brats, beer, and free raffle giveaways! I finished second in my age group with a finishing time of 28:27 and pace of 9:10 which I’ll gladly take after running yesterday too! I’m pooped!! I got some yummy eats and won two gift certificates (one my husband won but I claimed lol) so it was another great run and definitely I can officially say that yesterday’s run and today’s runs were my most favorite runs so far!!

10/15/2023

Luray 5K

Luray, Virginia

Finish Time:  27:08

Overall Place:  10th Place / 54

Division Place:  2nd Place / 3

Race Recap By Kevin Christensen:

My goal was to try and place at the Luray, VA 5K and I did it with one of my best paces for a 5K. Yesterday I was 6th in my age group at the Baltimore running Festival 10K and today, with only three in my group, I’m 2nd and I won a pint glass from the sponsor brewery, Hawksbill Brewery.

10/14/2023

Bowman Cup 5K

Kent, Ohio

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  22:05

Overall Place:  11th Place / 98

Division Place:  2nd Place / 5

Veronica Neubert

Finish Time:  22:46

Overall Place:  15th Place / 98

Division Place:  3rd Place Overall Female

Christine Churpek

Finish Time:  24:40

Overall Place 23rd Place / 98

Division Place:   2nd Place / 6

Steve Zenar

Finish Time:  24:51

Overall Place:  25th Place / 98

Division Place:  2nd Place / 3

Mike Williams

Finish Time:  25:27

Overall Place:  27th Place / 98

Division Place:  3rd Place / 5

Peter Heroux

Finish Time:  25:47

Overall Place:  31st Place / 98

Division Place:  3rd Place / 6

Gretchen Snyder

Finish Time:  27:04

Overall Place:  34th Place / 98

Division Place:  3rd Place / 6

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  28:00

Overall Place:  39th Place / 98

Division Place:  1st Place / 8

Russ Neubert

Russ was on the course providing support and taking pictures of Team ER members.

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

Great run this morning at the Bowman Cup 5k in Kent with so many team members! I loved seeing the team hanging out and relaxing together and we brought home the medals this time for sure! Congratulations to everyone and thank you for some great memories today! I finished the run at exactly 28:00 with a pace of 9:02 and placed 1st in my age group!

Race Recap By Steve Zenar:

Another amazing race at the Kent State Recreation Center – Bowman Cup 5K. Although it was a bit chilly and wet, the course was again well marked and attended by volunteers ensuring that we all went the right direction and got some additional support (cheers) to keep pushing the pace. After the event, the university again delivered an excellent post race run award ceremony and offered some great snacks and delicious chili. Even better this year was the huge turnout by Team-ER!!! So many great athletes supporting one another and walking away with a large amount of medals, cups and some cash (cheers to Veronica Judith)
I was able to come in 20th place in the men’s field and 2nd in my age group. Honestly, with all my recent work travel and limited ability to race the past months I was thrilled to hit my goal time of 24:00-24:59 today finishing at 24:51.
Looking forward to the next fall race (TBD) and will certainly be doing the Black Squirrel 5K and Bowman Cup races in 2024!

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

This was the 22nd running of the Bowman Cup 5K and I believe I have competed in almost half of them over the years.   I was more anxious than usual for this one because of the threatening weather predictions leading up to race day.  Race morning my fears were realized with cool temperatures in the mid 40’s and steady rain.  I had prepared for all weather conditions with a car full of clothing and shoe options.   One really nice thing about this race is that pre race activities are held inside the Kent State Recreation and Wellness center.  I was able to stay dry and warm before the race and was even able to warm up on the inside track.  The rain stopped briefly before the start of the race so I quickly changed into faster shoes and shorts.  Just as I headed to the start line the rain started again but It wasn’t too heavy at that point.   It was time to race.

I could tell at the start line by the much smaller than normal race field that probably as many as half of the people registered elected to stay in bed, avoid the rain, and skip the race.  Race officials did a nice job in speeding up the start so we weren’t standing around getting wet and cold.   The gun sounded and I got off to a nice start.  I clocked my first mile at 6:55 which was right where I wanted to be.  With only 100 runners in the race the field quickly spread out along the course.  There was a runner ahead of me I identified as probably in my age division.  I was just behind him in the first mile but after than he increased his pace and pulled way ahead of me.  At the end of the second mile my pace was just around 7:00 but then we hit more hilly sections of the course and I started to slow down.  It was about this time that the rain also started to pick up.  Thankfully the wind wasn’t too bad which made the rain less of a factor.  I was little conservative on the hills and did my best to increase pace on the flatter sections between them.  The last stretch was a little more flat so I pushed hard to the finish line trying to record a good time.  It turns out I finished in a time of 22:05 which was one second slower than last year.  I finished 11th overall and 2nd in my age division.  The runner I thought might be in my age division actually was and averaged a 6:40 mile pace.  I have never run that kind of pace on this course so in the end I am happy with my performance and results.

Another nice thing about this race is the post race festivities are also inside.  Kent State always provides a really nice post race experience.  Tables and chairs with table clothes were spread around the room.  A buffet of bagels, granola bars, fruit, water, Capri Sun, and chili fed all of the hungry runners.  Awards went to overall and age group winners.  Top 3 overall winners received a pint glass, medal, and cash.  1st place in each age group received medals and pint glasses while 2nd and 3rd place winners received medals.  I really liked the mini bib numbers used for the race that included a scan code on them so you could get your race results immediately.  All runners that registered before the shirt deadline received basic t-shirts that were a little disappointing.  The race advertised performance shirts but that was not what runners received.  The race logo in small print on the upper chest made them pretty generic looking and lacked creativity and design.  Last year the same thing occurred and many racers pointed this out when completing the post race surveys but no changes were made to the advertising or the shirts for this year which was disappointing.  In most past years competing in this race the shirts were always performance shirts with some really nice designs on them.  Runners who registered late and missed the shirt deadline were given the option of purchasing a shirt after the race if any were left over.  I wasn’t a fan of this policy.  The runners that registered late also paid the highest registration fees so I think they should have been given a shirt if extras were available and not have to purchase them.   I am all for shirt deadlines but why make runners pay for them if there are extras?  They also used to award as a tradition fedora hats to top winners overall and in age groups in honor of George Bowman, former president of the university that the race is named after who was known to wear that style of hat.  There was some confusion as to the date of the race which is typically held on homecoming day.  This year the race was held on the Saturday before homecoming.  The race was advertised as the kick off to homecoming week.  I am not sure why this change was made but I think they would have more runners if they went back to having the race on homecoming day that way alumni in town may be more likely to participate.  To make things more confusing another department of Kent State hosted their own race the night before the Bowman Cup.  In an effort to try to avoid competing against each other for runner participation they decided to offer an extra award of a rainbow themed tumbler to anyone who competed in both.  I believe  the strategy helped as many tumblers were awarded at the Bowman Cup race.   The race was really well organized and I want to thank all of the volunteers that stood in the rain as course marshals keeping us safe and headed in the right direction.

The best part of the race was spending time and running with so many of our Team ER members and other running friends.  Team ER had 8 members compete and all of them walked away with an overall or division award.  I hope next year the weather is a little better and they have a bigger turnout for the race.  I am likely to be back.

10/14/2023

Baltimore Running Festival 10K

Baltimore, Maryland

Kevin Christensen

Finish Time:  55:45

Overall Place:  425th Place / 1829

Division Place:  6th Place / 32

Race Recap By Kevin Christensen:

The first 2.5 miles were uphill and the start was all marathon and 10K runners so very packed with thousands of runners. I’m happy with my finish though as it was my fastest 10K run with a cool crab medal.

10/13/2023

Rainbow Run 5K

Kent, Ohio

Christine Churpek

Finish Time:  N/A

Peter Heroux

Finish Time:  N/A

10/8/2023

The Bank Of America Chicago Marathon

Chicago, Illinois

Amy Stumpf

Finish Time:  3:46:05  (Boston Marathon Qualifying Time)

Overall Place:  15551st Place

Division Place:  550th Place

Christine Churpek

Finish Time:  4:09:31

Overall Place:  23626th Place

Division Place:  1424th Place

Team ER Member Peter Heroux made the trip to Chicago to cheer an Christine and Amy.

Race Recap By Amy Stumpf:

Thanks Chicago!  The 2nd majors checked off.  My hope was a NYC qualifier, but I knew with the roller coaster training cycle I had (car accident and sickness), that probably wasn’t possible. I will gladly accept a BQ though. Thanks to my partner in crime, Curtis who picks up the slack while I am out training, and who deals with my insane pre-race psychosis Jennifer, my coach, who always believes in me, and knew I could get scrappy!
Running a marathon is always fun, but so much better with friends. Loved reconnecting with Christine this weekend, and sharing laughs.
At 45 I am pretty stoked about what my body can do!!!

10/7/2023

Police  K9 Association 5K

Canton, Ohio

Veronica Neubert

Finish Time:  22:49

Overall Place:  6th Place / 226

Division Place:  1st Place Overall Female

10/7/2023

WQMX 5Kay

Hartville, OH

Nancy Wardell

Volunteer

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I volunteered and helped at the WQMX 5Kay yesterday morning in Hartville, OH and boy it was chilly!! I had to help get the running mats, wires, and inflatable arch up, and the cones!  It was definitely a task and after cheering all the runners to the finish line, we had to do everything in reverse to tear it down!  Another day in the running world to make me appreciate all the task that go into a run!  I was given some awesome freebies and a running bib if I wanted to race, but I was there to help so declined the kind offer. Thankful for the adventure and met Sara Kay from the radio and got a picture with her too!

9/30/2023

The First Energy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, And Marathon Relay

Akron, Ohio

Half Marathon

Kristi Gunyula

Finish Time:  1:34:07

Overall Place:  81st Place / 2136

Division Place:  4th Place / 155

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  1:44:07

Overall Place:  224th Place / 2126

Division Place:  14th Place / 98

Veronica Neubert

Finish Time:  1:48:24

Overall Place:  327th Place / 2136

Division Place:  15th Place / 155

Asad Khan

Finish Time:  1:51:43

Overall Place:  417th Place / 2136

Division Place:  24th Place / 98

Mike Williams

Finish Time:  2:05:29

Overall Place:  841st Place / 2136

Division Place:  43rd Place / 98

Loretta Harland

Finish Time:  2;20:55

Overall Place:  1337th Place / 2136

Division Place:  24th Place / 58

Marathon Relay

Christine Churpek

Member of the Cascade Auto Full Throttle team # 8064

Finish Time:  3:26:16

Overall Place:  35th Place / 555

Division Place:  13th Place / 343 (Mixed Division)

Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford

Member of the MECCL team #8507

Finish Time:  4:17:25

Overall Place:  243rd Place / 555

Division Place:  156th Place / 343 (Mixed Division)

Nancy Wardell

Member of the Insert Clever Team Name Here team #8398

Finish Time:  5:47:47

Overall Place:  541st Place / 555

Division Place:  337th Place / 343 (Mixed Division

Volunteers And Team Support

Laura Fairfax

Volunteered with the race elite field

Russ Neubert

Road the course by bike providing support and taking pictures of Team ER members

Jillian Kearns

Provided course support and cheered on Team ER members.

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

It was a great day in Akron this morning! I saw Scott Orlando, Mike Williams, Cleopatra Sirnic, and Veronica Judith along the way!  Nice job to everyone today!  I was very excited to find a team on the Akron Relay Team Facebook group and completed the second leg for my team! I completed my 6.7 miles in 1:08:49, so around a ten minute mile pace. It was a great day and ended with beer and Chick-fil-A!

Race Recap By Kristi Gunyula:

I run a lot of races each year, but The Akron Marathon will always have a special place in my heart.   I am very proud of my 1/2 marathon finish today and gaining a new PR by almost 2 minutes on a tough course. I crossed the finish line with a time of 1:34:07. I’m still learning how to race and how to listen to my body. It amazes me how much it’s willing to take and adapt to what I’m asking it to do.
Also, big thanks to our Team ER sponsors, marathon staff, volunteers and those who came out to support us runners. Congrats to everyone on another year of chasing the blue line!

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

The 2023 First Energy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, And Relay did not disappoint!  This was my 9th time running the half marathon.  I have also previously completed the full marathon 3 times.  This year weather conditions were very pleasant with temperatures in the mid 50’s at the start of the race with just a slight breeze.  Heading into the race I wasn’t as prepared as I would have liked to have been.  My training cycle was interrupted by a sinus infection, a bout with food poising and then some calf tightness.  Some last minute treatment on my calves at the race expo the day before the race helped loosen them up but I wasn’t confident how long or if my calves would hold on.  My goal was to run the race somewhere between and easy cruising speed and my typical race pace.  If by mile 10 I was feeling strong then maybe I would look to push my pace the last 3 miles.

As soon as the race started I was immediately feeling the tightness in my left calf.  I settled into a comfortable pace and hoped for the best.  I wasn’t sure if my calf would strain at any given stride.  Early in the race I was thinking it would not hold and might strain early.  Mile after mile I could feel it but it was not impacting my ability to run.  The course for this year was for the most part the same as most years for the half but there were a few changes particularly the finish.  I did notice a few things on the course that had me a little confused.  Right away in the first few miles I was surprised to see that the blue line painted on the street to designate the course was missing at times.  That wasn’t a big deal but a couple of times I questioned if I was off course because of the absence of the blue line.  The race is known for the blue line marking the course so I was a little surprised and was wondering what happened that it was missing in areas.  Another early course navigation issue had me a little confused.  There was a right turn just after mile 2 I believe onto North Main Street leading back to cross the Y bridge again that didn’t feel right.  Runners were directed by the police officers in the intersection to run up over the curbed median in the road while marking the turn.  I don’t recall ever making that turn and having to jump over the median in years past.  This left me a little confused wondering if I had ran the correct direction.  It also didn’t seem to be like the safest way to turn the corner.  I hope no one tripped jumping over the median.

Luckily my calf was holding on as I continued deep into the race.  By mile 10 I was still feeling strong and maintaining my chosen pace.  I finally had some confidence that I would finish the race.  I was close enough that if my calf did strain I would be able to walk the remainder of the course.  This thought eased my mind and relaxed me.  I felt strong enough to start pushing my pace in the last few miles but the hills on the course had other ideas for me.  I slowed a little on the hills on miles 11 and 12 but was able to pick it up on the last mile to finish with a time of 1:44:09.  It wasn’t my fastest finish at this race but under the circumstances I felt it was a big win.  I stayed below an average 8 minute mile pace and crossed the finish line in one piece.

The finisher festival is always well done at the Akron Marathon race events.  This year because of construction the finisher festival was held in a parking, lot close to the finish line.  The finisher festival had a tailgating like vibe and quickly became very crowded.  Runners had the very tough choice to choose between OH Donut Company, Sandy Bottom Bowls, Swenson’s or Chick-Fil-A.  Let me tell you that was a tough choice to make!  Finishers also received a variety of food options in a bag provided by Acme.  All runners received finisher medals and shirts specific to the race distance that was run.

Akron Marathon does an amazing job producing the 3 races that they offer each year.  I believe their races are some of the best organized races in the area.

It was great to see so many running friends before, during and after the race.  It was a great race for Team ER with 6 members completing the half marathon, 3 members competing on relay teams, and 3 more members volunteering and providing course support and pictures.  Thank you to the army of volunteers and fans that got up early to work at the race and cheer us all on to victory!