MANSFIELD, Ohio — The city of Mansfield will see an influx of people this July for the inaugural Shawshank Hustle, a 7K run/walk event that will feature locations from “The Shawshank Redemption.”
The race will begin and end at the Ohio State Reformatory and pass five “Shawshank Redemption” filming sites in downtown Mansfield, including a water stop at Brooks’ Bench. The event will conclude with a tour of the Ohio State Reformatory, in which “Shawshank” fans will see the cell blocks, the warden’s office, desk and safe, parole board room, Brooks’ hotel room and even the replica carving on the ceiling that reads, “Brooks was here. So was Red.”
Actor Scott Mann, who starred as golf pro Glenn Quentin, Linda Dufresne’s lover, in “The Shawshank Redemption,” will be the official starter. Mann will be available for autographs, photos and to answer questions regarding the movie and his experience.
Race Director Roger Bowersock of Rocketship Sports Management said that as of Feb. 4, approximately 1,100 people had signed up. The capacity is marked at 2,000 participants.
“It’s growing every day,” he said. “We have about 25 people a day sign up.”
He added that there are people from about 30 different states who are slated to participate.
“We’re really excited to have people from across the country interested in participating,” said Mary Kennard, program director at the Ohio State Reformatory.
Jodie Snavely with the Mansfield/Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau noted that the event has the potential of having a great economic impact on the city due to the number of registrants from outside the area. “So you’re going to have many of these people staying in our hotels, eating at our restaurants, and so on,” she said. “There’s such great potential.”
Participants will receive a custom finisher medal, custom event number, commemorative event shirt, actor meetings, chance at custom awards, on-course and post-race snacks in addition to a tour of the historic prison.
The race will also feature electronic chip timing from Good Times Event Services that will offer live scrolling results via television monitor and internet.
Registration is open online at the event website. The cost is $40. More details about the race, maps, volunteer positions, schedule, sponsorship opportunities and much more are also available on the website.
People can also participate in a “virtual run,” which allows people to participate in the event in their own location. Virtual race participants receive a custom Shawshank Hustle t-shirt, custom race bib and finisher medal. To register for the virtual race, click here.
Race proceeds support the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society.
Bowersock said that volunteers are needed for the event, which will be held Saturday, July 25 at 8:30 a.m. Those interested may contact Bowersock on the Shawshankhustle.com website, at 937-417-5772 or by email at info@rocketshipsports.com.
Rocketship Sports Management is a Greenville, Ohio based 501(c)3 non-profit event management company. Bowersock said the company has helped various organizations have great success in participation-based athletic events.
He said he hopes to start this year’s inaugural event with a bang, noting, “If it goes well this year, that should bode well for future events.”
