'Run of the Mill' race offers fun for anyone

Age brackets range from 12 and younger to 40 and older for the mile race.
McDONALD -- The Fourth Annual "Run of the Mill" one-mile fun run will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday immediately preceding the annual Firemen's Festival parade.
The race will start at the corner of Marshall Road and Ohio Avenue and end at the mill at the north end of Ohio Avenue.
The race had 100 participants last year, said Dale Fronk of the McDonald Track and Cross Country Boosters, the race sponsors.
State championship qualifiers, from McDonald and other area high schools, as well as college athletes are expected to be included in the field this year. All skill levels are welcome to participate.
Registration
Registration can be made in advance with Fronk by calling (330) 530-0050. The cost of pre-registration is $10. Registration also will be held the day of the race at a cost of $12. All runners receive a T-shirt.
Registration forms are also available at area YMCAs -- Warren, Niles and Youngstown branches -- and Second Sole in Boardman.
Age groups include: 40 and older; 30 to 39, 20 to 29, 16 to 19, 13 to 15 and 12 and younger.
Awards
The first-place male and female will each be awarded $100; second-place male and female each win $50. The first three finishers in all age groups will receive "Cool Max" T-shirts.
Fronk noted that people line both sides of Ohio Avenue for the annual parade but will first witness the race.
Two Kenyans, who were in Youngstown training at Mill Creek MetroPark in between marathons, participated in the race two years ago, he said. And last year's winner was a Youngstown State University runner who clocked in at 4:12 .
Most milers finish in under six minutes, Fronk said, and last place will be around 10 minutes if previous patterns hold.
Race proceeds will benefit the McDonald High School track and cross country programs.