MANSFIELD, Ohio — With 3,000 runners slated to participate in the Shawshank Hustle 7K this Saturday, July 25 in Mansfield, event organizers have developed a road closure plan to help maintain traffic flow while ensuring the safety of the runners.
Beginning at 7:30 a.m., one hour before the race starts, the state Route 545 exit off U.S. 30 will be closed. Participants and spectators who arrive after that time are encouraged to use the state Route 13 exit and park their cars in the parking lot at Spitzer Motor Speedway, located at 400 Crall Road.
Parking at Spitzer Motor Speedway will require a shuttle bus to the Ohio State Reformatory, where the race begins and ends. Onsite parking will be available beginning at 5 a.m. for the first 350 cars.
The course proceeds south from the reformatory on state Route 545 to Longview Avenue. Runners will make a left on state Route 13 from Longview Avenue and proceed past “The Shawshank Redemption” filming sites to Central Park. After passing Brooks’ Bench, they will run north on Diamond Street, back to state Route 13, and then Longview Avenue and return to the reformatory.
The course roads will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 10:30 a.m. Race Director Roger Bowersock of Rocketship Sports Management noted that traffic heading north on state Route 545 will be maintained, while the southbound lanes will be closed for the race.
The race has a two-hour time limit, Bowersock said. “So no matter what, the roads will be back open by 10:30 a.m.” He added that if all of the runners complete the race sooner than the two-hour time limit, the roads will be open earlier than 10:30 a.m.
The Shawshank Hustle is a 7K race that will take participants past some of “The Shawshank Redemption” filming sites, including a water stop at the Bissman Building and at the corner of Fourth Street and Diamond Street where Little Buckeye Children’s Museum will be handing out water to runners.
The event has been sold out since April with 3,000 participants coming from over 30 states. There are also 58 “virtual runners” who will participate in the event in their own location.
Volunteers are needed for the event. Anyone who is interested should visit the website to learn how to get involved.
