NOTEBOOK \ Peace Race

Two-mile race: McDonald's Aaron Thornton was the winner of the 31st Peace Race's first event, the 2-miler. When the first of Sunday's two races downtown concluded, the 18-year-old Thornton's time was 10 minutes, 37 seconds. He beat out Brian Wilson of Chester, W. Va. (10:52), and Boardman's Mike Lesko (11:01). "I just run on my own now, trying to get in shape," said Thornton, who ran on McDonald High's Division III state champion cross country team a year ago. Now a freshman at Youngstown State, Thornton is doing more than trying to get in shape. Sunday's Peace Race gave him an opportunity to reach a goal. "I'm trying to see how many days in a row I can run. I'm at 43 in a row now," he said. Thornton, whose high school coach was Chris Rupe, brother of Peace Race director Ted Rupe, said he runs 3-to-5 miles a day. "I'm just trying to stay fit," he said. The first female in the 2-mile event was Shannon Rech of Austintown in 13:37. Runner-up was Candace Mirto of Canfield (14:00) and Boardman's Cindy Porter (14:03) was third.
Sunny morning: Sunday's race attracted 1,001 entries -- 654 in the 10K and 347 in the 2-miler. To the delight of race officials, the sun shone throughout the race. The race starter at the corner of Indianola Avenue and Cain was certified track official Ron Scott.
Support: Laurie Hixson, a passenger in the H-1 Hummer leading the 10K field, yelled words of encouragement to 10K winner Matt Folk as he motored down Commerce Street near the finish: "C'mon Matt, you've got it," she said. Jack Wohlgamuth of Hubbard drove the media vehicle, a H-1 Hummer donated by one of the race sponsors, Greenwood Chevy.
Veterans: Don Jones of Austintown, a Greenwood sales manager, ran the race in 50:30.8. The 1968 East High School graduate has been in seven Peace Races. Edwin Molina of Pittsburgh returned to the Peace Race after a couple years' absence. "This is more scenic," he said of the more hilly Great Race in Pittsburgh three weeks ago. The 40-year-old Molina said his Peace Race time of 55:12.2 was "about average." Mahoning County Commissioner John McNally III made a repeat appearance as a volunteer at the finish-line water stand. While campaigning for office last October, McNally, his wife and daughter were with him. This year, he came solo. "They were sleeping," he said.
John Bassetti