MANSFIELD, Ohio – Nearly 300 runners and walkers embraced the heat and topography Saturday during the inaugural Spherion Mid Ohio 13ER and Fun Run 5K in order to raise awareness for drug prevention in Richland County.
The half marathon began at 8 a.m. in Mansfield’s historic Carousel District and traveled around some of Mansfield’s most significant landmarks. The 5K followed shortly thereafter.
Event organizer Tim Hilterman said he didn’t think it could have gone any better.
“There’s been a lot of press about how this is a community effort, and it really has been,” Hilterman said. “People have really come out of the woodwork not only to lend a helping hand but have a passion for the cause.”
The goal of the event was to raise $10,000 to go toward drug prevention in Richland County, a mark that was “blown through,” according to Hilterman. The final amount hadn’t been tallied at the time.
“We’ve had an amazing day, and we want the momentum to continue,” he said. “We’re going to double registration next year and get more people involved because it’s about engagement with the drug problem – that’s what we’re really after.”
Proceeds from the race will be given to a grant entrusted to the Richland County Foundation, which will then assign those funds to the community through groups and organizations that actively participate in drug prevention.
“We want to reach people before they go down the wrong road and show them the path of hope and success,” Hilterman said. “We’re just tired of reading in the news the travesties that are happening around us.”
Among the many racers was Mansfield mayoral candidate Ron Abrams, who took part in the 5K.
Abrams said he’s been a runner for many years and that these kinds of events are essential to the community.
“Anything that can be done like this that supports the community, supports good causes, brings people out, and develops pride in the community is hugely important,” he said. “We need more of this.”
Abrams finished the 5K in 29 minutes and 35 seconds, which was the fastest among men 65 years old and up.
Erwin Webel, of Mansfield, was the first person overall to finish the 5K, tallying a time of 20 minutes and 14 seconds. In second place was 14-year-old Ethan Delaney (21:41), while Steve Bett was third (23:19).
The fastest female 5Ker was Melissa Goodall (26:29), followed by Ashley Blevins (27:42) and Linda Kline (27:50).
Shortly after 10:30 a.m., the first half-marathoners crossed the finish line.
The first person to pass under the blue arch that signified the end of the race was Jeremy Riehm, followed closely by Brent Christy, both of whom work at Avita Health System in Ontario.
“I moved to Mansfield about a month ago, and I was looking for a good local race to run and be part of the community,” said Riehm, who is an Ontario native and a sports medicine physician at Avita.
He added that the race was “a little hot.”
“There was a killer hill about mile 8 that hurt everyone, I think,” Riehm said. “But coming in on Park Ave. West was nice and downhill with good community support – it was a nice finish.”
Riehm completed the 13.1-mile stretch in one hour, 26 minutes and 51 seconds.
According to Christy, who finished the race in 01:27:37, the race was challenging. He said he didn’t expect mile 8 to cause him to “fall off” because he’s been running in Mansfield for years.
“With being on the bike trail for 3 or 4 miles, you’re in the shade, then once we got out there and the sun blasted us, it was pretty rough,” he said, adding that it was, however, a great race.
“It was good to see such a nice turnout for the first year,” he said. “Hopefully, next year it will be even bigger.”
Finishing behind Riehm and Christy were Craig Ores (01:31:42), Joe Shamp (01:32:25), and Toby Loy (01:34:49).
The top five female racers in the half marathon were Deb Wilch (01:44:21), Leah Hart (01:45:53), Kelly Cropp (01:47:14), Karen Crane (01:47:14), and Jenni Jacobsen (01:47:38).
Premier Races provided live race results, which are posted on its website.
In addition, HYSight Technologies had a drone flying overhead, recording photos and videos of the event.
“If you weren’t here, you missed out – this was a blast,” Hilterman said of the event. “I don’t care if you’re not a runner, come down next year; put it on your calendars next year, ‘like’ our Facebook page because there’s going to be a lot more going on with Mid-Ohio 13ER.”
“We want to reach people before they go down the wrong road and show them the path of hope and success,” Tim Hilterman said. “We’re just tired of reading in the news the travesties that are happening around us.”
