43
Scenery wins big at Mill Creek races
Gallery
By Greg Gulas
Youngstown
For years, Mill Creek Park has been the site of many running events, all of which have benefitted a multitude of worthwhile causes.
On Sunday, the park’s inaugural Green Cathedral 5K and half marathon marked the first time ever that proceeds were to be earmarked for a project of its own.
More than 325 runners gathered at the MetroParks’ Rocky Ridge site in order to help raise funds for its new Wick Recreation Area Children’s Playground.
Craig Rupe (1:19.25), the former Maplewood High School and University of Akron runner took top honors in the half marathon while Youngstown’s Taylor Millich (19:28.8) captured the 5K race.
Amanda Fire (1:33.28) of Canfield was the top female to cross the half marathon line while Casey Zaitzew (23:38.6), an eighth grade student at Boardman Glenwood Middle School, was tops in 5K.
“We’re really pleased with today’s turnout and especially excited that Mill Creek Park has developed a race of its own,” Rikki Brammer, race director said. “The course was very challenging and we’re confident that next year, and for years to come, the race will only get better.”
Rupe, in his fifth-year teaching at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, called the course a real challenge.
“This is just my second half marathon ever and without a doubt, one of the toughest courses that I have ever run,” Rupe said. “My only other half marathon had three hills but the hills today were amazing.
“Hills break up the monotony of a race and I’ll sacrifice time for scenery any day,” Rupe said. “This was an awesome race on a perfect morning, which ended up a great workout for me.”
Millich, a recreational runner who lives in Cornersburg, said running in Mill Creek Park helped prepare him for the event.
“I love running in the park, but today’s race was tough because you were either running up or down a hill,” Millich said. “That was probably why it was so much fun for the runners.
Campbell’s Ed Brainard was the 5K runner-up, despite coming off a knee injury.
“If you like hills then you will love this course,” Brainard said. “After taking it easy recently due to a knee injury, I was really pleased with my finish.”
Fire, who qualified for this year’s Boston Marathon and received confirmation Friday for its 2014 event, said the course was extra tough.
“I’ve only run three half marathons and this was the toughest by far because of the hills,” she said. “I’m planning on running the Philadelphia Marathon in November and after today’s finish, I’m a little more confident now about my chances.”
Zaitzew, who placed 12th in the Junior High girls division at Saturday’s Spartan Invitational, has earned a much deserved rest.
“The course was beautiful but the hills were not,” she said. “I’m pleased with my finish, but need to rest now after spending the past two days on the course,” Zaitzew said.
Austintown’s Tom Frederick, who at 79 years old has entered more than 1,000 races and logged 50,000-plus running miles, has raced 10 marathons and also entered several biathlons and triathlons.
“If there’s no one else in my age group then I think I have a chance of winning,” Frederick said. “There are plenty of excellent runners my age so I always have my work cut out for me.”
Janet Gbur, a PhD candidate in materials engineering at Case Western Reserve University, had a different reason for running.
“I’m a seasonal employee at Disney World and want to run in the Disney Marathon,’ Gbur said. “Today’s race is a nice way to balance my schoolwork, but I need to also stay in shape if I expect to cross Disney off my bucket list.”
WKBN Channel 27 personality Rich Morgan (28:09.6), who finished 22nd overall in the 5K and was tops in the 60-64 age bracket, called the last mile taxing.
“You’re up a hill and then down the hill, but the last mile is the real kicker. The best part for me, however, was to be able to donate to the playground project,” Morgan said. “It’s a great feeling knowing that another father will enjoy the playground as much as I did with my son.”
Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti was also part of the field.
“Mill Creek Park is the greatest kept secret in Mahoning County,” she said. “Finishing was my goal and I achieved that today.”