This morning I participated in the Barton VFD 5K in Barton, Ohio. Where is Barton? Out in the country somewhere between Martins Ferry and St. Clairsville. Like most small communities, if you blink twice while you're driving through it, you may miss it. However, you will not find a place in the state with a bigger heart. In these little communities people still know and care about each other. They have roots that go back for generations, and they don't forget where they came from. They possess a great community spirit and actually like each other . . . a lot. Throughout the year they organize festivals and fund raisers to raise money for good causes, to remember and honor the traditions of the past, and to just gather together and experience old-fashioned fellowship.
Many of you have been to these kinds of races. You know what I'm talking about. When you get there, you feel like you know everybody. There are a lot of hugs and hand shaking. Some of these events have been faithfully organized and orchestrated for years and years. The Barton 5K has been raising money for the Barton Volunteer Fire Department for the last 21 years. As you hang out with these people you get a great sense of their community pride.
Big city races may be exciting, bustling, sensational, and even over-the-top, but they can't offer what these small-town races do: that personal touch, that familiar feeling, that assurance that there are still places in the world, albeit small places, where people count on each other, support each other, and care about what happens in their community--places where people still welcome you, cheer you on, and call you by your first name.
Today's race offered the contestants perfect weather--high 50s and fresh air. Summer racing can be tough when the heat and humidity roll in, but today we raced under ideal conditions. Top 3 Overall Female Runners: 3rd Place, Kristina Tomlan 21:06. 2nd Place, Chrissy Lewis 19:55. 1st Place Sherri Martin 19:45. Top 3 Overall Male Runners: 3rd Place, Alex Timko 18:13. 2nd Place Kyle Timko 17:28. 1st Place, Cedric Robinson 16:30. Top 3 Female Walkers: 3rd Place, Jenna Cook 34:45. 2nd Place, Mickey Speaker 33:10. 1st Place Sherri Alig 32:49. Top 3 Overall Male Walkers: 3rd Place, David Workman 33:34. 2nd Place, Mike Carpenter 31:57. 1st Place John Fitzgerald 28:41.
Last year in the high humidity I ran 19:50. Today I felt much better and ran 19:36. I don't hold out much hope of breaking 19 minutes again in my life for a 5K. I think I broke it once last year on a short course. I can feel the speed leaving me with the passing years. My son-in-law tells me I need to throw in some fast striders on my easy distance days. Maybe I'll try that.
Boston Update: I've reserved our hotel room. I'll be staying about a mile from the finish line at Omni Parker House, one of the oldest hotels in Boston. I'm getting excited already!
Have a great running week,
Joe C. Ellis
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