The Bradley Dash at the Journal Jog made its annual return to Lorain’s Black River Landing, 421 Black River Lane. With 63 competitors this year, the event raised money for the Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child foundation.
Runners from all over Ohio flocked to Black River Landing for this year’s 5K, but only one was able to finish the race in under 20 minutes. Westlake High School’s Thomas Rintamaki, a senior on the school’s cross country team, crossed the line with a time of 19:14.81.
“We’re running every day in prep for the season. Our races are 5Ks,” Rintamaki said of the cross country team. “So, this summer, my mom (Sarah) and I have been signing up for a few 5Ks. … The two of us are working together to achieve that common fitness goal.”
Rintamaki said the summer races are good experience for him as he gears up for his senior season. While still undecided on his plans for running cross country at the college level, he said he wants to attend Ohio State University and go into engineering.
“I’m probably about the seventh or eighth man on the roster,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of really talented runners. … They’re a great group of guys, a lot of them are my friends, so it’s really getting me excited for the season. It’s going to be a great one.”
Rintamaki thanked his mother for helping him stay motivated and running the races with him, and for her encouragement during the race.
“On the back stretch, she was yelling my name and cheering for me,” he said. “She helps so much… (She’s) willing to always support me, willing to always go out for runs and train, so she’s been fantastic.”
Stacy Cislo was first among women at the Journal Jog this year, with a time of 25:56.56. The 42-year-old Amherst resident said she had little training for the event, and her friend Megan Brenot brought her out.
“It’s something I woke up and wanted to do,” Cislo said. “My friend Megan, she pulled me in. It’s a nice day, a good cause.”
Cislo said her goal was simply “don’t stop,” but was thrilled to find out that she took home the gold medal among female participants.
“I’m happy, (especially) knowing that I didn’t train for this,” she said. “I just feel really good about myself. … Shoutout to Meg, who invited me to race this morning, to Meijer for putting on this event, and to our mayor for continuing to let this event grow each year.”
Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley finished in third place among male participants ages 70-and-older, with a time 40:48.12.
Those looking to support the cause at Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child can donate at www.morningjournal.com/clothe-a-child.
