By: Rebecca Miller
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The 2021 Firecracker 5K got in just under the wire for good weather on May 27, 2021 at 65 degrees, as the following day the temps dropped into the 50’s and it was rainy and cold.
A great turnout of around 140 runners showed up to not only enjoy running or walking the 3.1 miles that was mapped out for them, but to raise the money for the Fourth of July Fireworks display to be held on July 2, 2021 (as the 4th is on a Sunday). Entry fees for the race were $25 for adults and $20 for under 18.
Runners and their families and friends gathered in front of the Chamber of Commerce, getting signed in, picking up their teeshirts, and visiting with each other until the 5K began at 5 p.m. on the dot.
The route took them from just north of the train tracks to Leggett where they turned right and headed for Homecoming Park.
All along the way there were people cheering them on and assuring them they were headed in the right direction. After taking a turn through the wood on Indian Trail, and back out again, they left the park, headed back out onto Leggett, turned north on Burnell, east on Commerce and ended the run next to the Commercial St. Parking lot.
Dave’s Running Shop was set up with their electronic timer and markers, taking down all the times and noting who won in each category.
After the last participant arrived at the end, info was tabulated and taken to Sullivan’s Restaurant where everyone had gathered in their to hear the results. Bowls of red, white and blue saltwater taffy were set out on the tables by the Chamber and all participants were handed a large ziplock bag with water and post race refreshments to help them wind down from the run.
With no facemasks in sight, and everyone sitting or standing around, visiting together after the run, it almost felt as though COVID never happened.
Winners were announced for male and female age groups as well as for Overall Top Male and Top Female, with no duplication of awards. The Overall Top Male was Michael Cheezan at 17.22 minutes. The Top Female was Jenny Pereyda a 22.17 minutes. Interesting times for the top two…17.22 and 22.17 minutes!
The following received the Age Group awards:
Female
14 & under – Milly Eitnar; 20 to 29 – Allison Grimm; 30 to 39 – Page Stiriz; 40 to 49 – Kate Burkholder; 50 to 59 – Patti Creager ; 60 to 69 – Carol Forbes; 70 & over – Patricia Yoh
Male
14 & under – Caleb Harrow; 15 to 19 – Tucker Dulaney; 20 to 29 – Phillip Roth; 30 to 39 -Justin Sauder; 40 to 49 – Rene Amador; 50 to 59 -Todd Creager; 60 to 69 – Doug Harmon; 70 & over – Carl Anderson
Thanks to all the Wauseon Chamber of Commerce Firecracker 5K sponsors which included 94.3 The Buck; Barber, Kaper, Stamm, McWatters & Whitlock; Biggby Coffee; Blue Ribbon Diner; Chief Supermarket; Continental Plaza; Days Inn & Suites; F&M Bank; Frank-Wheeler Chiropractic; FC Farm Bureau; FC Health Center; FC Visitor’s Bureau; Fulton Lumber; Krauss-Lane Electric; Larry and Ginni Neuenschwander; M.E. Miller Tire; Marshall Fitness; Marshall Tanning Plus; NSCC; Ohio Means Job FC; Penrod & George; Sullivan’s Restaurant; The Sport’s Place at Ace Hardware; The State Bank; Tiny’s Dairy Barn; Wagner Motors; and Warrior Wings.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
FIRST THREE ACROSS THE LINE…From left to right are Justin Sauder who won the 30-39 Age Group award, Michael Cheezan who won 1st Place Overall Male, and Caleb Harrow who won the 14 & Under award. All three began the race at the front and ended at the front. (PHOTOS BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
PERFECT WEATHER AND DRY ICE FOG … At 65 degrees and slightly overcast, it was a perfect day for running. The runners began with a flurry of dry ice fog provided by the Wauseon Fire Department.
RUNNERS OF ALL AGES … Coming down Leggett St., headed for Homecoming Park, one got to see men, women, boys and girls, parents with strollers and senior citizens wrapping up their first mile and encouraging each other to keep going, as they ran the Firecracker 5K in Wauseon, Ohio on May 27, 2021.