7/27/2024

USCA Ohio State Canoe, Kayak, And Paddle Board Championships

Fairport Harbor, Ohio

Scott Orlando

5 Mile Race Kayak Race

Finish Time:  54:09

Overall Place:  4th Place Overall Solo Kayak

Division Place:  3rd Place Unlimited Class

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

This was my 5th time competing in the USCA Ohio State Canoe, Kayak, and Paddle Board Championships held on the Grand River in Fairport Harbor, Ohio.  I haven’t been able to compete in this race for the last few years do to schedule conflicts so I was excited to get back to this race to compete for a state championship.

This event features a 5 mile and 10 mile race and I once again chose to compete in the 5 mile race.  The race conditions were very good with temperatures in the 70’s with a slight breeze and very calm river conditions.  It did warm up quickly but the the weather was not a factor in the 5 mile race.  The 10 mile race which was an hour or so after the the 5 mile race did have to deal with hot temperatures and increased winds.

I debated heavily between racing my Stellar SR Multisport in the unlimited  class or my Steller S18S Multisport in the 18′ and under class.  The 18′ and under class looked more crowded and included the fastest paddler at the race.  Wanting to paddle for a gold medal I entered the unlimited class.  Just before the race started I learned that the fastest paddler switched to the unlimited class.  I almost switched myself to the 18′ and under class but decided just to race unlimited.  From the start of the race the fastest paddler now in my class and another paddler also in my class shot to the front of the race field and were gone.  A mile into the race I knew there was no chance of catching them and I was paddling for 3rd place.  After a loop through a marina and crossing back across the start / finish area I found myself in a nice position surrounded by several of the 18′ and under class paddlers and a couple of tandem canoes.  We were all drafting off of each other and in a tight pack.  One of the tandem canoes that was directly in front of me kept cutting me off moving into my line wherever I went on the river.  I was getting a little annoyed so I finally passed the canoe.  That same canoe then got directly on my stern and hit my kayak several times which was getting frustrating.  I finally pulled far enough in front that I got free of canoe.

Making it to the half way turnaround point another kayak, canoe, and myself all hit the turn to round the buoy at the same time.  The other kayak had the inside line and verbalized to the canoe who was in the middle that she was going inside on the turn.  I then let the canoe know I was going outside giving them the middle line.  The canoe didn’t turn well and headed straight to the river bank forcing me the same direction.  I had to stop paddling and correct my position which cost me a lot of time.  The kayaks I had been paddling with gained a lot of ground on me thanks to the canoe.  I spent the next mile pushing hard to regain my position and finally caught up to them.  With a mile to go one of the kayaks slowed and I was able to pass it.  Heading to the finish I was able to outsprint another kayak and a tandem canoe to the finish line.

I was well behind the other two kayakers in my class who ended up being the fastest two finishing 1st and 2nd overall in the 5 mile race.  I managed to finish 4th overall placing 3rd in the unlimited division earning a bronze medal with a time of 54:09.  Although I was hoping to win a state title my goal was to leave the race with a medal which I did.  The paddler that won the 5 mile race is a national champion and he went on to win the 10 mile race as well.  The paddler that place 2nd in the 5 mile race also competed in the 10 mile race placing 3rd overall so these guys were extremely fast good paddlers.

The race was well organized.  Paddlers received very nicely designed t-shirts and there were plenty of snacks and food for paddlers refueling between races.  Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped with the race.   It was great to see all of my  Performance Kayak teammates and other kayak friends.   I really enjoy this race and look forward to competing in it again next year.

7/27/2024

Elephant Run 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run

Orville, Ohio

Brittany Kiehl

Brittany volunteered for the 5K and then walked the 1 mile course.

Finish Time:  N/A

Overall Place:  N/A

Division Place:  N/A

7/21/2024

Fairport Harbor Pirate Triathlon

Fairport Harbor, Ohio

Kayak Triathlon

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  1:21:12

Overall Place:  2nd Place / 39

Division Place:  1st Place / 6

Veronica Neubert

Finish Time:  1:29:30

Overall Place:  7th Place / 39

Division Place:  1st Place Overall Female / 13

Russ Neubert provided Team ER members racing course support and took pictures.

Race Recap By Veronica Neubert:

What a beautiful morning for a triathlon!  Thanks to Scott Orlando for the amazing boat! Smooth sailing through the paddle. Felt great on the bike (although it was pretty windy) just felt ok on the run but I remained in first the entire race and I didn’t stop! Proud to say I finished first female overall and 7th place for both genders! Thanks Russ Neubert for all the support!

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

The Fairport Harbor Pirate Triathlon is one of my favorite races that I have competed in many times.  Last year was my best finish at this race placing 3rd overall.  My goal this year was to once again place in the top 3.   The weather conditions were very favorable for racing with temperatures in the high 60’s and low humidity at the start of the race.  The water conditions for the paddlers and swimmers were mostly calm.  Because of the calmer waters I was able to paddle my Stellar S18S Multisport surfski.  I had also brought along with me my Stellar S16 Multisport in case of rougher water conditions.  With the race course heading parallel to the break wall surfskis and other fast unstable kayaks aren’t well suited for the heavy side swell that can easily flip these types of boats.  Luckily that wasn’t an issue this year.  Because I had the extra kayak at the race I was happy to let Team ER member Veronica Neubert burrow it along with a Stellar full carbon mid wing paddle.  The Stellar S16 Multisport that she used ended up being the fastest kayak in the women’s race field which Veronica used to have a dominate performance to win the women’s overall title.

My race started a little slow.  I had a little bit of trouble with my kayak paddle getting into the water.  I had adjusted the angle of my paddle incorrectly and had to stop and reposition it to the proper angle before I could paddle.  This cost me a little time.  Once corrected I made quick work of the plastic kayaks in the race field passing all of them.  Soon I caught up to the 3 leaders ahead of me all in the same Stellar S18 surfskis that I was paddling.  Once outside the break wall the water started to roll and bounce me around.  Several times I caught some fast rolling waves that actually turned my kayak sideways forcing me to corrective paddle.  A few of the rollers were strong enough to pull me over but similar to driving a car on an ice covered road I started turning into the waves before they hit me which kept me from flipping.  Once around the turn buoy I picked up some speed and passed one of the kayaks in front of me.  I was now back with the leaders.  As we made our way to the beach I was about 10 seconds behind the first kayaker to exit the water and hit the beach at about the same time as another kayaker.  I managed to run across the timing mat as the 2nd kayaker to finish the paddle leg and then it was off to the bike leg.

I had one of the fastest bike legs that I have ever clocked at this race averaging 20.5 mph.  I had trained a little bit more on the bike for this race than in the past plus I was using a much faster bike for the first time so I think both of these things contributed to the faster time.

Once off the bike I was headed out for the 3.1 mile run.  The run starts with a steep hill out of the beach park area.  From experience I have learned to take it easy up the hill and for the first half mile of this course.  Going out too fast generally results in feeling winded for about half of the race.  At this point I was soundly in 2nd place with no site of the first place runner in front of me and no one pushing me from behind.  I stayed conservative in the first mile and picked up my pace in the second mile.  I could now see the third place racer behind me but pretty far off.  I knew from past races he was a strong runner so I picked up the pace a little faster in the last mile.  I was happy to finish 2nd overall.  They only present a 1st place overall award and no 2nd or 3rd place overall awards so I was presented with a trophy for 1st place in my division for my efforts.

Thank you to Russ Neubert for the course support, to Lake Metroparks for putting on a great race, and to all of the volunteers that helped keep everyone safe and moving in the right direction along the course.

The race was as always well organized by Lake Metroparks.  Participants received tech shirts and custom pirate themed finisher medals. The shirts might be coolest design I have ever seen on a race shirt.  Awards for overall winners and age group winners were old school trophies.  Overall winners also received a 2nd trophy for winning their age groups.  Personally I would like to see them offer overall awards for 2nd and 3rd place finishers and not include the overall winners in age group awards.  This is the more traditional way of presenting awards at races.  I can understand giving an overall winner an age group award if they are the only person in the age group otherwise I would like to see them spread the awards out a little more and eliminate the double awards.  They do offer plenty of award divisions which is great.  This is a great race and I can’t wait to do it again next year!

7/20/2024

Christmas In July 5K

Akron, Ohio

Brittany Kiehl

Finish Time:  37:04

Overall Place:  187th Place / 282

Division Place:  10th Place / 15

7/14/2024

Market Avenue Mile

Canton, Ohio

Brittany Kiehl

Finish Time:  10:43

Overall Place:  54th Place / 73

Division Place:  2nd Place / 4

7/14/2024

Pan American Masters Games Triathlon

Cleveland, Ohio

Scott Orlando

Volunteer for kayak safety patrol for the swim leg and helping at the finish line.

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

Seeing as this was the first time that the Pan American Masters Games were being held in the United States and in Cleveland, Ohio none the less I Knew that I wanted to be part of the games.   I decided to volunteer to help keep the swimmers safe and join the kayak water patrol.  I had to get up at 4:30 am and make my way to Cleveland for the 6:30 am start times.  I had a little bit of trouble getting to Edgewater Park because they closed many of the roads around the event area sooner than the publicised times.  My GPS finally got me to Edgewater Park where I found it very easy to get my kayak an equipment down to the beach and find a parking spot.   There where about 8 of us ready to patrol the waters in kayaks plus a crew of Edgewater Park Lifeguards, an inflatable motorized rescue boat, rescue jet ski, and two very intimidating large Police Marine Rescue ships standing by in the the deeper water just outside the course.

One look at my 16′ Stellar Multisport kayak and the person in charge of the kayak patrol assigned me the farthest buoy position from the swim start / finish area.  I didn’t mind and took it as a compliment.   We hit the water around 6:15 am.  The water conditions were extremely calm and flat.  The sun was just rising which made for some beautiful scenery that I was able to capture in some pre race pictures from my kayak.

At 6:30 am the first wave of swimmers hit the water.  It took some time for them to make it to my position located on the first right turn of the Olympic distance swim course.  The sprint distance swimmers turned right well before they got to my location.   As the swimmers reached my location they turned right around a buoy then headed North into deeper water making another right turn creating a large rectangle shaped course.  All of the Olympic swimmers did a great job navigating the calm waters of the course.  After the last Olympic swimmer passed the second right turn of the course I received instructions from the Police Rescue Marine Ship to leave my position and follow the last swimmer to shore.  Each kayaker did the same as the last swimmer passed their assigned location.

As I followed the last swimmers along the back side of the course there were several that requested assistance.  One by one they would grab the front of our kayaks and hold on for a quick break to adjust goggles, lower their heart rates or just ease their nerves.  The last few swimmers received a private escort of our kayaks making sure they got to shore safely.   I am happy to report that all swimmers that entered the water completed the swim course.

After all the swimmers were out of the water and headed to the transition to the bike leg I returned my kayak and gear to my car and headed to the finish line.  Mickey Rzymek put me to work handing out water bottles to the finishers.  I really enjoyed being at the finish line to congratulate the racers and greet them with a cold bottle of water.  It was amazing to see athletes from so many different countries compete as well as local athletes that I know and recognize from other races.

The event was well organized and I thought it was great how many race options and divisions there were including triathlon, duathlon, and aqua bike all offered in sprint and Olympic distances.  As a volunteer I received a t-shirt, water bottle, hat, bag, and plenty of snacks and drinks.   Volunteering for the Pan American Masters Games was a great experience!

7/13/2024

The Women’s 6K Festival

Canton, Ohio

Christine Churpek

Finish Time:  27:55

Overall Place:  65th Place / 293

Division Place:  8th Place / 34

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  35:35

Overall Place:  153rd Place / 293

Division Place:  18th Place / 34

Lisa Keane

Finish Time:  36:24

Overall Place:  166th Place / 293

Division Place:  6th Place / 31

Stephanie Orwick was on location as a vendor and to support the Team ER and local runners.

Race Recap By Christine Churpek:

I had an amazing time at the Women’s 6K Festival this morning! All the strong and powerful women out there today inspire me to stay motivated. I am dedicated to training hard and becoming stronger every day.

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I completed the Women’s 6k Festival in Canton, Ohio this morning and was thankful to see my beautiful Team-ER ladies there too (Lisa Keane, Christine Churpek, and Stephanie Orwick). It was good to have Lisa Keane to walk around with for a bit afterwards and look at all the fun freebees and stands! I finished the 6K at 35:35 with a 9:32 per mile pace and finished 18th of 34 in my age group. I loved  the after celebration at Centennial Plaza with the great goodies including a free flavored lemonade, homemade chocolate chip cookie, and beautiful sunflower.  Not a bad day in Canton!

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

Well marked, fast and mostly downhill course for this Women’s 6K race. The race is definitely geared more toward the elite runners so if you are an elite runner or fan girl, this is the race for you. Nice after party with lots of vendors and giveaways.

7/13/2024

Miles For Migraine 5K

Cleveland, Ohio

Brittany Kiehl

Finish Time:  38:30

Overall Place:  82nd Place / 123

Division Place:  7th Place / 13

Race Recap By Brittany Kiehl:

This race had a 10 am start which made it incredibly hot. 84° There was no water on the course so I was grateful to had brought mine with me. The course in North Chagrin Reservation was beautiful. It was an out and back course. The first half was downhill and the second half was uphill. The 2 mile walk started after the 5k on the same course so it was difficult to navigate through all the walkers. I am not sure why a group of about 15 people thought it’s okay to bunch together and take up the entire path. I kept yelling passing on your right and they still refused to move over. Overall, though, it was a fun race with great finisher medals.

7/7/2024

Charles Marquis North Hill 5K

Akron, Ohio

Mike Williams

Finish Time:  27:11

Overall Place:  94th Place / 216

Division Place:  6th Place / 9

Cleopatra Sirnic Clifford

Cleopatra completed the race virtually.

7/4/2024

Raintree 5K

Uniontown, Ohio

Roy Miller

Finish Time:  23:29

Overall Place:  25th Place / 134

Division Place:  4th Place / 12

Kris Engstrom

Finish Time:  25:13

Overall Place 36th Place / 134

Division Place 2nd Place / 4

Josh Keane

Finish Time:  25:32

Overall Place:  38th Place / 134

Division Place:  5th Place / 12

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  28:52

Overall Place:  60th Place / 134

Division Place 3rd Place / 17

Lisa Keane:

Finish Time:  31:49

Overall Place:  76th Place / 134

Division Place:  4th Place / 7

Race Volunteers:  Josh Keane, Kevin Christensen, Lisa Keane, and Scott Orlando

Race Recap By Lisa Keane:

What a fantastic turn out for TEAM ER this morning to volunteer and run The Raintree 5K!
This is a unique, fun, and fast 5K with a tour through scenic Raintree Golf Course and its surrounding neighborhood. Super organized, well marked course, lots of support, and nice shirts. Congrats to all the overall and age group winners who walked away with A pie.

Race Recap By Kris Engstrom:

I ran the Raintree 5k today. This is one of my favorite races. 2/3 of the run is on the golf course. Very organized and well marked course. One of the best finishes on the 18th hole. My daughters also ran this morning. She finished second overall female and my other daughter finished first in her age group. I finished second in my age group.  I look forward to running it again next year.

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I had a great time at the Raintree 4th of July 5K in Uniontown this morning! I loved seeing so many Team-ER members and being able to joke around a little bit before and after the race! Great job to those who volunteered and ran today! This is a great race on the golf course that has a slight elevation change at times and goes into the neighborhood for part of the race as well. It ends with a nice reward ceremony with great snacks and refreshments and fun prizes! I finished 3rd in my age group with a finish time of 28:52 and pace of 9:18! I loved seeing Mickey Rzymek as always and all the support from our teammates!

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

I had a great time this morning with Team-ER and friends at the Raintree 5K. I took a break from running this morning to let my torn plantar fasciitis continue to rehab and volunteered at the race helping with registration and the water station.   It was again amazing to see so many Team ER members volunteering and racing.  The race was well organized and seemed to have a larger field than last year.  The course is one of the more unique with most of the race being ran on the fairways.  Participants received t-shirts and snacks were provided after the race.  Award winners received gift certificates to Ritchie’s Sporting Goods and pies.  Congratulations to everyone that raced and earned their pies!