Ferraro: born to run, even before Peace Race was born

By John Bassetti

He was about 3 years old when the inaugural Peace Race was held in 1975; both Ferraro and the race have outgrown their infancy.

BOARDMAN — Jim Ferraro is a breed within a breed.

As a triathlete, he participates in gruelling events that test physical endurance.

As a runner, he knows a good road race when he sees it.

That’s why the 36-year-old Ferraro plans to be in Sunday’s Peace Race.

Although he was about 3-years old when the inaugural Peace Race was held in 1975, both Ferraro and the race have outgrown their infancy.

Since then, Ferraro has registered enough miles on pavement, on wheels and in the water to qualify as a veteran.

Besides, his father is executive director of the Western Reserve Transit Authority system. And James Ferraro Sr. belongs to halls of fame for football (at Rayen) and baseball (YSU).

With such background, he’s been around the block a few times.

Like many fitness enthusiasts, Ferraro juggles his training regimen with his job and family.

Jim’s current full-time work at Second Sole’s Boardman store is a good fit with his outdoor activity.

Likewise, his work previously at Cycles Sales meshed with his days as a serious biker.

Jim Ferraro Jr. has been running almost 12 years now, but still puts himself on the bubble between casual and rabid.

“I’m a full-time/part-time runner,” Ferraro said. “I’ve got to get some biking in there too. I don’t find myself being too competitive when the event only involves the one element. The Peace Race has a really strong field, so I’d be fooling myself thinking I’d fit into that.”

Ferraro has run in about five of the local 10k races.

He entered the 2008 Peace Race with just two days’ training.

“I was in a bike crash and broke my collarbone,” Ferraro said. “I needed surgery and took six weeks off. That was seven weeks before the Peace Race, so my second day back running was the day of the race.”

Ferraro said he finished behind Kelly Pavlik, but not too far behind. Pavlik was 62nd in 40:14, while Ferraro was 84th in 41:51.

“I was just happy to get back out there and be around the people,” Ferraro said.

A new member of the Peace Race board, Ferraro was also the founder and first president of the Steel Valley Triathlon Club.

“I saw the need for a club comprised of members of my own sport,” he said of the organization which has been in existence for five years.

“I think you’ll find that people involved in triathlons will pick their favorite [discipline] and kind of spend time on that, unless they’re really, really serious. Then they’ll devote time to all three equally.”

Ferraro’s last competition was the Carnation Triathlon in Alliance in August. He also took part in recent triathlons sponsored by the downtown YMCA and Boardman-Davis YMCA.

Ferraro didn’t compete in the Tour of Valley in July, partially because it’s too specialized.

“That would sort of be like the running thing where it’s specialized,” he said. “I don’t like to call my biking compatriots one-dimensional, but it’s true. They are.”

If he had a preference, what would it be?

“When it comes to actually doing just one, I find myself doing the strictly running races,” said Ferraro. “If I was able to be real competitive, it would be my No. 1 choice. It [Peace Race] is certainly the best race around here.”

Ferraro agrees with the assessment that running is the choice of the masses.

“Yes, it’s the most accessible to the general population. You don’t need much — just shoes and road.”

Among swimming, biking and running, people are more apt to run and do bikes. Swimming involves a facility or better weather and biking involves good equipment [i.e., money].

“In winter, we lose the opportunity to bike, but we don’t — as long as you’re a little hearty — lose any opportunity to run.”

Ferraro believes that the Peace Race has had a resurgence in popularity.

“Last year had the second-highest participation and it’s expecting the highest-ever this year,” he said of the number of entries.

Establishing the designation for prize money involves a delicate dynamic.

“The elite field changes depending upon money awarded,” Ferraro said. “If the elites smell the money, then they come. If we limit it to American runners, we’ll lose international. If we limit to Ohio runners, we’ll lose elites from other areas.”

bassetti@vindy.com