Peace Race winners prep for longer challenges | News, Sports, Jobs – Youngstown Vindicator

By SEAN BARRON

Correspondent

YOUNGSTOWN — In a sense, participating in a longtime local race for Evan Gaynor was many small steps, but also one giant leap.

“It’s important to have good tune-up races. My next race will be a half marathon next week in Detroit,” the Perrysburg man said.

For someone who was merely tuning up for something larger, Gaynor had quite an impressive result: It took him only 31 minutes to see a first-place finish in a 10K run that was a large part of Sunday morning’s 45th annual Youngstown Peace Race, which also included a 2-mile walk / run and a 200-meter kids race — both of which began and ended on Central Square, downtown.

The 10K started at Kirkmere Elementary School on the West Side and proceeded through much of Mill Creek Park before also ending downtown.

Main Peace Race sponsors were the Cafaro Co., Giant Eagle, Dunkin’ and Second Sole, a sporting-goods store in Boardman.

An estimated 1,030 people took part in the Peace Race’s 2-mile or 10K races, noted Crystal Siembida-Boggs, a distance runner and track coach who assisted with registering runners.

Participants also enjoyed optimal weather that consisted of bright sun, temperatures in the mid-40s and light wind.

Proceeds are to benefit Akron Children’s Hospital, St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, the YMCA’s annual campaign, Fairhaven School’s Special Olympics, Beatitude House, the Walnut Grove Playground project and the Healthy Kids running program.

Another reason running in the Peace Race was tantamount to a large leap for Gaynor, 31, is because he also recently qualified for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Marathon, which will be Feb. 29 in Atlanta. The race will determine the athletes who will represent the United States in the marathon during the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

“I couldn’t be prouder to be in a race like that,” he said.

Also proud of her first-place finish in the 10K was Sarah Horbol of Westlake, who achieved her goal of coming in under 36 minutes with a time of 35:50.

“I did it! I did it!” said a winded but excited Horbol, who runs an average of 70 to 80 miles weekly.

The Peace Race was her 11th major run this year, including a half marathon about two weeks ago in Akron, she added.

Of course, a primary component of a first-place finish in any large race is self-discipline. For Horbol, that means a regimen of speed workouts, going on a 13- to 20-mile run about once per week and weekly yoga, she said.

Also vital to improving one’s endurance, as well as overall health, are eating adequately, watching one’s diet and getting enough sleep, Horbol continued.

Taking top honors in the two-mile run / walk male and female categories were Ty Reeher of Kinsman and Heaton O’Hara of Boardman, respectively.

“I try to run 45 to 50 miles per week right now,” said Reeher, 21, who came in with a 10:31 finish time. “I’ve been running nine years now.”

Reeher, who works at a factory in Niles, already has his sights set on the Youngstown Marathon and Half Marathon on Oct. 27. Being in the Peace Race also was a stepping stone for him to train and prepare for that event, Reeher added.

For O’Hara, 22, who runs between 20 and 30 miles per week, the Peace Race was more about fun, camaraderie and enjoying others’ company.

“It’s a beautiful day and a great race,” the Youngstown State University senior and general-studies major said. “I’m just happy to run with everyone.”

The Youngstown Peace Race typically raises about $10,000 each year, money that benefits local charities, noted Al George, president of the race’s board of directors.

In addition, an estimated $4,400 in prize money is distributed annually, he added.

“It’s all local. We want to give it to people who are here,” George continued.

Jack Cessna, an area runner and activist, initiated the idea for the race in an effort to unite athletes from around the world for a day of competition, friendship and understanding, against a backdrop of strife and turmoil at that time that included the Vietnam War. As a result, the first Peace Race was in 1975, and it was a 25K run largely through Mill Creek Park.

Three years later, the 10K run was added. In 1989, the 25K event was eliminated.

George added that he hopes Cessna will be able to attend the Peace Race’s 50th annual run.