3/21/2026

The Mini Barkley Race

Akron, Ohio

The Mini Barkley is a secret race designed to be as close as possible to the original Barkley Marathons Race.

Congratulations to Team ER members Felicia Neal, Josh Keane, And Lisa Keane who all competed in the 2026 race which was around 16 miles.  All three each completed all 5 loops of the course.

Race Recap by Lisa Keane:

The drawing was held and I lost – I was accepted into the Mini Barkley!
The Race directors did their best to stick as close to the real Barkley as possible (with the exception of 100 miles)
From cigarette to gate to conch shell to easy button! I even got chosen for HUMAN SACRIFICE!
Completely unsupported and device free for 5 loops at a 3.something distance. Retrieve the corresponding page numbers to your assigned bib (changes each loop) from 3 books on course.
Feeling excited, confused, intrigued?
Watch the Barkley Marathon documentary on YouTube and join us next year!!!

3/21/2026

The Yeti Challenge

Canton, Ohio

The Yeti Challenge is a non competitive family friendly obstacle course style event.  This event is not timed.

Team ER members completing the Yeti Challenge:

Felicia Neal, Josh Keane, And Lisa Keane.

Event Recap By Lisa Keane:

Another super fun, family / dog friendly event to support the Stark Parks!
Affordable and fun run on road / trail with fun obstacle challenges and water stops along the way!
We even met my hero, THE YETI

Event Recap By Felicia Neal:

I had a blast at the Yeti and completed 2 miles! It was so much fun. I will definitely participate in that again. It is very family friendly and the obstacles where so silly and fun.

3/21/2026

Wellen Park Half Marathon

Venice, Florida

Kristi Quesenberry Gunyula

Finish Time:  1:51:41

Overall Place:  57th Place / 225

Division Place:  3rd Place / 10

3/21/2026

The Dino 5K

New Philadelphia, Ohio.

Lori Fritz

Finish Time:  26:57

Overall Place:  15th Place / 58

Division Place:  N/A

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  29:07

Overall Place:  20th Place / 58

Division Place:  N/A

Race Recap By Lori Fritz:

It was a little chilly this morning, but perfect weather for racing!
Every year the TCPLS puts on this race in the spring as a fundraiser for their summer reading program, and every year they have a different theme.
This is my fourth year of running it and am very happy with my pace and finish time!!
I had a great time visiting with Team E-R teammate Nancy Wardell!
While they only award to the top three overall men, women, and kids, and do not give out age group awards, they did do some cool raffles this year! (Besides, how many medals do I really need hanging on my wall??)
This is a mostly flat, very nice course that starts and ends at the main branch in New Phila.
As an avid reader, who thinks it is great the library offers this service during the summer, this is a race I will probably run every year.

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I ran the Dino 5K in New Philadelphia this morning with teammate Lori Fritz! Very basic course on the roads of New Philadelphia! Only gave places to the top three females, males, and kids! I would have had first in my age group though, finished at a total time of 29:07 with a pace of 9:23! Nice race with a few little raffles with water bottles and grocery totes.

3/21/2026

Lucky Leaping Leprechaun 5K

Canal Fulton, Ohio

Kris Engstrom

Finish Time:  25:15

Overall Place:  32nd Place / 286

Division Place:  2nd Place / 6

Race Recap By Kris Engstrom:

I ran in the Lucky Leaping Leprechaun 5k today. Ran a 25:15 and got second in my age group.
Great race put on by Run To You Racing and Race Brimstone. Race was run on the towpath which I like. Also got to wear my new green Asics Megablast shoes. Felt great.
During the national anthem a bald eagle flew over us which was motivating.

3/15/2026

Kendall Vintage Classic Orienteering Challenge

Peninsula, Ohio.

Rachel Turner

Finish Time:  N/A

Overall Place:  N/A

3/15/2026

The Mile Ultimatum

North Canton, Ohio

Lori Fritz

Finish Time:  8:17:05

Overall Place:  44th Place / 62

Division Place:  3rd Place / 3

Race Recap By Lori Fritz:

3/14/2026

The Louisville St. Patrick 5K

Louisville, Ohio

Lori Fritz

Finish Time:  27:25

Overall Place:  71st Place / 254

Division Place:  2nd Place / 7

Race Recap By Lori Fritz:

3/15/2026

The Shamrock 5K & 10K Peninsula, Ohio

10K

Stephanie Orwick

Finish Time:  54:49

Overall Place:  38th Place / 82

Division Place:  3rd Place / 8

Mike Williams

Finish Time:  57:34

Overall Place:  42nd Place / 82

Division Place:  3rd Place / 3

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  1:01:49

Overall Place:  48th Place / 82

Division Place:  2nd Place / 5

Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford

Finish Time:  1:03:13

Overall Place:  53rd Place / 82

Division Place:  1st Place / 2

5K

Rachel Turner

Finish Time:  20:45

Overall Place:  4th Place / 246

Division Place:  1st Place Overall Female

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  23:25

Overall Place:  20th Place / 246

Division Place:  1st Place / 5

Steve Zenar

Finish Time:  23:49

Overall Place:  22nd Place / 246

Division Place:  3rd Place / 10

Kelsie Kline

Finish Time:  25:35

Overall Place:  35th Place / 246

Division Place:  1st Place / 25

Terri Bednar

Finish Time:  27:19

Overall Place:  53rd Place / 246

Division Place:  2nd Place / 12

Brittany Kiehl

Finish Time:  43:34

Overall Place:  200th Place / 246

Division Place:  20th Place / 25

Volunteers Brittany Kiehl, Kelsie Kline, Scott Orlando, and Stephanie Orwick.

Race Recap By Mike Williams:

I ran the Shamrock 10k in Cuyahoga Falls today. Run started out great, but I faded fast in the wind. Ended up 3rd in my age group.

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I ran the Shamrock 10k in Cuyahoga Falls today with TONS of other Team-ER friends!! Was great to see everyone! I ran the 10K which was just the 5k two times. This course was a fairly basic out and back run with little elevation change. I love the bobble heads for those who place in their age group, and the nice inside space for the pre and post race activities! They always have yummy snacks too! I placed 2nd in my age group finishing at 1:01:49 and a pace of 9:56, so I earned my beloved bobble head runner girl!! Definitely a great first race of the year!

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

It was a great day for Team ER at the Summit Athletic Running Club Shamrock 5K & 10K! After helping with registration I headed to the start line to compete in the 5K. I would have never expected 70 degree weather for a March race but I will take it!
From the start of the race I immediately knew my pace was going to be off. I just didn’t feel it today. I’m still struggling to get my pace back but I am making progress. One of my slower 5K finishes with a time of 23:25 but I still managed 20th overall and won my division earning a world famous bobble head trophy.
The race was another well organized event thanks to Josh Ritchie and Mickey Rzymek. All runners received custom bibs and a nice mint colored hoodie. I liked that the 5K and 10K bibs were different colors making it easy to identify who you were racing against.
Team ER had a great showing with lots of members taking home bobble head awards.
Thank you to all of the volunteers who showed up to make the race happen today!

Race Recap By Kelsie Kline:

Shamrock 5k- We were all a little lost as how to dress but overall great time. 1st place age group 35-39

Race Recap By Steve Zenar:

This was race #2 for me this weekend, which I normally never do, but I was happy to be able to join last minute as so many team members were registered and out on the course today.
This is a great course and a well organized event. As the course is relatively flat my goal today was to see if I could achieve a new 5K PB. Miles 1 and 2 were on pace but my tired legs got the better of me on mile 3 (as did Scott Orlando … I am going to get you one of these days). All in all I did finish with my 2nd best 5K time just 8 seconds off my goal time so hopefully I will get a new PB in the coming weeks.
Ended up placing 3rd in my Age Group and 22nd overall.

Race Recap By Terri Bednar:

Ran the Shamrock 5k 9 weeks post major surgery and it went great! Wanted to be sub 9 and was an 8:45 pace ! Placed 2nd in my age group and earned my bobblehead! Great weather too! Parking and packet pickup were a breeze and the giveaway was an awesome hooded sweatshirt! I love this race and the late start (noon) allows participants to sleep in! Will do this again!

Race Recap By Brittany Kiehl:

This is an afternoon race. There was plenty of parking and packet pickup was easy. You could hang out inside the middle school gym before and after the race. Everyone received a very soft, green hoodie this year.
The course had a few hills. You ran mostly in one of the neighborhoods next to the school. The 10K was two of the 5K loops.
It was fun having so many Team ER members at the race. Highly recommend this race!

3/14/2026

The St. Malachi Church Run

Cleveland, Ohio.

5 Mile Race

Veronica Neubert

Finish Time:  41:47

Overall Place:  182nd Place / 1257

Division Place:  3rd Place / 56

Steve Zenar

Finish Time:  41:51

Overall Place:  186th Place / 1257

Division Place:  13th Place / 64

Kevin Christensen

Finish Time:  53:54

Overall Place:  705th Place / 1257

Division Place:  28th Place / 51

2 Mile Race

Christine Churpek

Finish Time:  19:32

Overall Place:  248th Place / 2308

Division Place:  6th Place / 120

Brittany Kiehl

Finish Time:  35:36

Overall Place:  1437th Place / 2308

Division Place:  70th Place / 112

Brittany Kiehl volunteered for early packet pick up duties while Russ Neubert Volunteered for runner coral duties.

Race Recap By:

Veronica Neubert:

What a fun morning!!! Being tired from last nights competition and not too keen on the wind and cold , I almost passed on this race. I’m so glad I didn’t! Waiting to start was probably the hardest part because once we were counted, we just had to wait (I thought it would be cool to be a part of a Guinness Book of World  Records though). The course was more difficult than the previous years I have done this race (with the last mile uphill ) but the scenery was much better and I liked that it was a closed course! I have no idea how, but I ended up finishing 3rd  in my age group of this huge race ! The most fun was dancing with the students from Burke School of Irish  Dance!

Race Recap By Steve Zenar:

Although it was a bit chilly this morning, the winds finally calmed and the Sunshine was out for the 5 Miler! The new course was highly preferred as we ran along the lakeshore and had wonderful views of Lake Erie. There were a couple of nice hills to test the legs but also some nice downhill to stretch out and push some speed. I wore my Kilt and matching Team-ER jersey…. Still waiting to hear if we we Team-ER to nab a Guinness World Record – but if not, a lot of fun was still had!
Wishing all a wonderful remainder of the weekend! Hope to bump into you soon at the next one!

Race Recap By Kevin Christensen:

Well, I finished the world record setting Malachi 5 mile run. It was a cold delayed start to get certification by the Guinness record folks but we did it.

Race Recap By Brittany Kiehl:

First time doing this race, because last year they switched it to a virtual only event. So I have nothing to compare it too. They had all the race bibs/ swag upstairs on the second floor without any sort of accessibility. So that was a challenge with two boys and a double stroller! Plus they had everyone going in and out the same single door. So it felt chaotic. (God bless the volunteer lady who told me to head back outside and she would bring me kilt so I could be counted.)
The course was hilly but scenic. It was difficult trying to get around people because it was an out and back. I was towards the back and it took forever to count us all for the record. We started 40 minutes after the original start time! There was no communication so we had no idea what was happening or why it was taking so long.
The finish was also a crowded mess because they were counting us all a second time for the record. The medals were being given out on only one side of the tables. I think two lines would have been helpful. It’s also meant to be a stroller friendly race, but it was quite difficult trying to push through the chaotic finish chute. People were just standing by the medal tables in huge groups waiting for their friends to finish. I tried saying excuse me several times but a teen (who was clearly in the finish chute) refused to move. He started yelling at me for almost running over his foot.  I think they could have opened the finish line cones a little more to allow for a little more space.
They had all the snacks inside St. Malachi so you did have a place to warm up. However, I tried to grab the boys a couple snacks before the run because I knew we were headed straight to the van after the run. Plus, I was trying to find something to pass time while we were waiting forever. They were getting so antsy! I was screamed at by a volunteer that they couldn’t have snacks until after the run. She tried to take back the two small bags of chips. I felt it was rude and uncalled for. I kept trying to explain I was not getting any snacks after the race. She was quite unpleasant and followed me all the way outside.
Honestly, I am not sure if this is normally how this race is typically run. But I’m unsure if I would do it again. Between the chaos at the start and waiting forever to start and the unkind teen/ volunteer. It felt way more stressful than fun this year.