Ohio Naturopathic 5K raises funds for Make A Wish

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Neighbors | Submitted.Dr. Ted Suzelis, naturopathic physician and owner of the Ohio Naturopathic Wellness Center (back right), was very supportiive of the children who competed in the Kid's Fun Run on Aug. 11. Suzelis developed the Kid's FUn Run as a way to encourage healthy habits at a young age.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Participants in Ohio Naturopathic Wellness Center's "Couch to 5K" series competed in a 5K run or 2-mile walk on Aug. 11 at the Kirk Road Bike .Trail in Canfield. Those taking part were, from left, Pat McMurray, Karen .Fletcher, Wendy Bonar, JoAnne Maloney, Monica Baker and Mary Lou Rowe.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Scott Bartholomew (right) competed in the Ohio Naturopathic Wellness Center's first-ever 5K event. The Mercer, Pa. native won the 30-39 age division and took second overall.

The Ohio Naturopathic Wellness Center raised more than $2,000 for Make A Wish through its first-ever 5K event on Aug. 11 at the Kirk Road Bike Trail in Canfield, Ohio. More than 100 people participated in the 5K run, 2-mile walk and Kid’s Fun Run. The youngest runner was 2 1/2 years old and the oldest was 78.

The overall men’s winner was Fletcher Dunham from Boardman with a time of 19:24. The overall women’s winner was Heidi Hoffman from McDonald with a time of 21:00. Mason Janis of Canfield won the 3-7 division of Kid’s Fun Run and Danielle Williams of Sandy Lake, Pa. won the age 8-13 division.

“We are excited that we had such a good turnout for our first charity 5K event,” said Dr. Ted Suzelis, naturopathic physician and owner of the Ohio Naturopathic Wellness Center. “This race was started as another opportunity to encourage families to stay active and healthy in the Valley and was a good end to our first ‘Couch to 5K’ training program.”

Suzelis and the center’s fitness trainer, JoAnne Maloney, organized the 5K event with proceeds going to Make A Wish. Local businesses serving as co-sponsors for the event were Healthy Treasures, Fitness with JoAnne, Massage Cafe, Arbonne, The Vindicator, Marucci Chiropractic Wellness Center, Spirit Fluid LLC, New Hope Imaging and Questar Inc.

Other businesses donated gift baskets and gift certificates toward the Chinese auction and Massage Cafe gave complimentary massages to the participants.

“We plan to make this event an annual event and grow it bigger each year,” said Suzelis. “Proceeds from next year’s event will go toward a local autism charity in honor of my oldest son. The financial struggles put on middle class families with autistic children is overwhelming and I would like to help families in whatever small way I can.”

For more information, visit www.OhioND.com or call 330-729-1350.