Austintown Lions Club hosts 21st annual 5-K Run

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Neighbors | SUbmitted.Eight-year-old Alexis Johnson placed first in the children’s run at the Austintown Lions Club 21st annual 5-K Run.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Masters overall winner Kathy Shoaf of New Castle placed first with a time of 28:43.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Overall winners Anthony Costa (second place) and Everett Briggs (third place) are pictured here at the Austintown Lions Club 21st annual 5-K Run.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Women’s winners Alyssa Gwirtz (first place), Geniene Hankey (second place) and Renee Bodden (third place) smile with their tote bags after the event on May 14.

The rain and cold weather didn’t stop more than 61 runners on May 14 at Austintown Township Park from participating in the Austintown Lions Club’s 21st annual 5-K Run.

It all started with a children’s run where 8-year-old Alexis Johnson of Canfield won the race. The overall winner of the 5-K was Curt Bachus of Akron with a time of 17:53, followed by Anthony Costa of Austintown with a time of 18:13. Coming in third was Everett Briggs from Youngstown with a time of 19:28.

For the women runners, it was Alyssa Gwirtz of Canfield who came in first with a time of 20:28. Geniene Hankey of Youngstown followed at second place with a time of 23:41 and finishing third was Renee Bodden of Canfield with a time of 24:51. Winning the Masters (age 40 and up) was 69 year-old Kathy Shoaf of New Castle with a time of 28:43.

Special guests were Michael and Karen Knight form Lebanon, Maine, whose goal is to run a 5-K in all 50 states. The Austintown Lions 5-K run was their race hosts for Ohio. Karen placed second in her age group.

Tote bags were presented to the main winners and medals were presented to all winners in different categories. Door prizes were also given out throughout the race. There were many age categories for both men and women.

Lion Larry Jensen served as race director for the 21st time and the finish line was provided by The Youngstown Road Runners Club.

The Austintown Lions Club would like to thank all who participated.

For additional information regarding the 5-K Run and/or membership in the Austintown Lions Club, contact Lion Bob Whited at 330-792-7907 or olebert1@aol.com.