PEACE RACE N. Lima nurse adds to training

After four years of running, Cheryl Sosnowski became a Peace Race champ.
BY JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Cheryl Sosnowski didn't begin running until about four years ago.
But now, the 46-year-old nurse from North Lima has come to love running through Mill Creek Park. Next Sunday, she will be competing in her fourth Peace Race 10 kilometer event.
In fact, Sosnowski, a clinical nurse specialist for Advanced Neurology Associates in Youngstown, will be defending her women's 45-49 age-group championship in the 29th annual Peace Race.
On the clock
She won her age group last year in 48 minutes, 55 seconds -- her best time ever -- and finished 249th overall in a field of 584 runners.
But she isn't sure if she can do it again.
"I probably will be slower this year," said Sosnowski. "I have been cross-training this year. I have been doing more bicycle riding. I had an injury to my knee and I was doing more biking to strengthen my knee, so my speed probably won't be there.
"The biking strengthened all the muscles in my legs, which strengthened my knee so that [it is] stronger when I run," she added. "I recommend cross-training because it strengthens your legs, and you are using other muscles and it strengthens the other muscles. It makes you stronger to run."
Friends to thank
But whatever her outcome, three things are certain: Running, Mill Creek Park and the Peace Race have become three of the highlights in Sosnowski's life, and she has her friends, Laurie Flowers of Boardman and Leah Sabo of Austintown, to thank for her new-found loves.
"They got me interested in running," said Sosnowski, who was looking for an exercise to suit her needs.
"I started four years ago to find a fast exercise where I can get the best exercise in the least time.
"I started to run in my neighborhood, just short distances, and now I'm up to 6-7 miles. When I run, I always run in Mill Creek Park. It is awesome."
Sosnowski said Flowers' late husband, Andy Rovnak, was a big running influence on the three women.
"Andy was living in Boardman and was a marathon runner who died of cancer a few years ago. He is kind of like the guy who inspired us to run," said Sosnowski.
Peace Race friends
She said she competed in her first Peace Race after four months of running, and also credits that to her friends.
"My friends all ran in [the Peace race] for years," said Sosnowski, noting that Sabo "has run the Peace Race for the last 20 years."
Sosnowski also runs with the Youngstown Roadrunners Club, although she is not a member.
"They run on Sundays in the wintertime, but I go to church on Sundays, and that's why I could never join them," she explained.
"It's a great group of people. They run on Monday nights in the summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day."
Sosnowski called Mill Creek Park "the most beautiful place in the world," but has noticed that it is under-used.
"People don't use our park and it is the most beautiful place in the world. I run there 3-4 days a week. It is the most awesome place in the world. There is no one down there," she has discovered.
Sosnowski works with Dr. Donald Tamulonis at Advanced Neurology Associates. "I care for patients with neurological diseases," she said.
A Poland High graduate, Sosnowski's maiden name is Trump. She has a daughter, Megan, who is a freshman at South Range High.
Rodgers to attend race
Bill Rodgers, the 1977 Peace Race champion and the only runner ever to win both the Boston and New York City marathons four times each, will serve as the Peace Race's starter.
Rodgers is unable to run because of a stress fracture. Last year, he placed 16th overall in the Peace Race 10K event in 34:39.00.
Henry Dennis of Cincinnati won last year's 10K in 29:55, while Debbi Kilpatrick of Berea took the women's 10K in 35:23. She was 23rd overall.
Race details
The Peace Race 10K event will begin at 10:15 a.m. near the intersection of Glenwood and Indianola avenues, and will benefit Tod Children's Hospital and offer prize money of $3,200.
Also included in the Peace Race is a 2-mile fun run/walk that will start and end near the Youngstown YMCA on Commerce Street at 9:30 a.m.
The Peace Race entry fee is $15 in advance and $17 on race day. Entry forms are available at Second Sole or area YMCAs. Registration on race day will begin at 7:45 a.m. More information is available by calling Second Sole at (330) 758-8708 or by e-mailing director Ted Rupe at ted.rupe@neomin.org.
kovach@vindy.com