NOTEBOOK 30th annual Peace Race

Inspiration: Internationally renown author Hal Higdon was the official inspiration for the 1,224 runners. The 73-year-old resident of Long Beach, Ind., ran for the first time here. Higdon said he had a Runner's World Magazine assignment in Youngstown about 20 or 30 years ago, but it was not Peace Race-related. "If a race isn't an hour from my house or 12 hours by jet, I don't run in it," Higdon said. On Sunday, Higdon broke 70 minutes. The course was to his liking. "I loved it. It was probably one of the most beautiful 10K's I've run, except maybe in Bermuda. There, however, the last mile is uphill. This was a nice, fast course." Higdon still enjoys competition, although he's got women walkers passing him. "At least I'm moving," he said. Higdon is still writing books but his magazine writing has slowed down. Now he's busy on his website and with his international training forum.
Husband-wife team: The husband-wife team of Dax and Melissa Kerr of Brookfield were among occupants on the last two buses transporting runners from downtown to the starting line on Indianola Ave. It was the third Peace Race for the couple. Melissa, 32, is a physical therapist with Sharon Regional's Brookfield Occupational Therapy facility. Dax is a staff attorney in Warren for 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Cynthia Rice. Unlike many of the up-tight riders on the bus, the Kerrs seemed relaxed during the ride. "I enjoy watching everybody else get all worked up," Melissa Kerr said. "I'm the observer," said Dax, 31. "I'm just along for the fun. I can't keep up with her." Melissa is a coach for the Joints In Motion program designed to help marathoners. Joints In Motion is part of the Cleveland chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.
Big turnout: Claudia Boatwright, holding her 3-year-old grandson, Caleb, stood at the corner of Indianola and Utilis St. watching the runners assemble. She was the first to remark that the field was larger than usual. "I've been coming out here for 10 years now and there's no doubt that this is a big turnout," Boatwright said 10 minutes before the starting gun at Indianola and Cain. It turned out that the 30th Peace Race was the biggest field in a decade. Boatwright, standing with her brother, Joe "Ace" Parris, said she admires those who undertake the 10K punishment. "I can't stand running, but they're devoted. More power to them. They come out here in any weather conditions." Caleb couldn't understand what all the crazies were up to, but his grandmother simply told him: "They're going to run into the park."
Connections: Maplewood and McDonald cross country runners helped at the finish line. They included Eric Rupe, a 12-year-old 7th-grader at Maplewood Middle School; McDonald senior Aaron Thornton, 17; McDonald graduate and YSU student Jason Corman, 18, and Maplewood High sophomore Brent Dillon, 15.
Volunteers: Mahoning County Democratic commissioner candidate John McNally was one of the volunteers, along with his wife, Virginia and daughter, Cara. McNally did everything from dispensing refreshments to helping tear down the ropes around the finish-line chute. "It's better than another spaghetti dinner," McNally said of Sunday's deviation from campaign obligations.
John Bassetti