Run to the Sun 5K a success in second year

by Laura Bednar

The Bath Parks “Run to the Sun 5K” drew almost 60 runners in its second year, five more than last year. The race took place on June 17 at the Bath Nature Preserve, starting at the Chief Logan statue, winding to the observatory and back.

“This 5K is the only race in the area that includes a scale representation of our solar system,” said Bath Park Board President John Landis. “The last 2 kilometers of the race course follow the planetary walk, which is a fun way to visualize the relative spacing of our planets in the solar system. While running, each step is equivalent to about 2 million miles in space.”

Landis said a $25 registration fee made the race accessible, a goal of race sponsors and the Park Board. The race raised $2,500 after expenses. The money goes toward Bath parks improvements, which are financed by grants, fundraisers and events like the race.

“In past years the Park Board used the race funds to purchase two public restrooms near the trailheads – most notably the new restroom near the University of Akron Field Station and the other restroom at the Bath Community Center parking lot,” Landis said.

The top three male finishers were Bill Braden, Max Khalil and Zach Meixner. The top three female finishers were Julie Parsons, Rosa Parsons and Katie Davis. Braden had the fastest time, 20:13.

The nonprofit group Fast Girls Running Company donated time and course management expertise for the race. “We also had mile marker and water station sponsors, gift bag donors, our volunteer T-shirt designer and many people donating time before and during the race,” said Landis. ∞