By SYLVIA BENAVIDEZ
Contributing Writer
Race organizers were keeping track of the weather, but the rain held Friday, April 26, for Albion’s Run the Rock 5K/Walk with only a light spray beginning at the end of the race. The overall winners for men’s divisions were 35-year-old Derrick Fairchild, Parma, with a time of 18:516 min. and for women 38-year-old Meghan Currie with her time of 21:124 min., and non-binary Trista Grier came in overall 24th with a time of 29:01. The other 16 divisions were based on age and sex starting with 14 and under and ending with 70 to 79.
The route took 85 people through Albion beginning and ending near the corner of Ash and Superior Street, down to Cass Street, through Albion College’s Quad and legendary rock. Then a turn down S. Hannah Street to Victory Park leading a cross of Albion Street into Ménwabek Park, and back down Superior Street to Ash Street in front of Homestead Savings Bank, one of the race’s sponsors.
People came from Albion and several other cities. The route is scenic and for some skill levels challenging. Two people who made the race more challenging for themselves were Albion Department of Public Safety Sgt. Dan Riley who ran the route with his K9 partner Tyson, and Jeff Masternak, who ran with a stroller.
Tyson was wagging his tail and outpacing his human partner. “He was great. ‘Didn’t pay attention to any people or dogs. This was his first run in a group other than my wife and I. This was a kind of a trial run, and he did excellent. He passed people, looked at them and kept going,” explained Riley. He and his wife, Breanna, started to run together and have made the sport another activity to enjoy together. Although running was a bit more challenging holding a leash and watching out for Tyson, Riley admitted his partner was pulling him along the route which they finished in 20 minutes and 19 seconds. He finally got to Albion College’s rock in the Quad, the race’s namesake up close. He had been there for events because of work, but never had a chance to get a good glance. “I think that was the best part, that, and the trail through the woods by the cemetery. Those are nice areas.” He said he will definitely do the race again.
Another sight that drew smiles from the small crowd was watching a father coming to the finish line pushing his son’s stroller. Describing the experience, Masternak said, “It’s like running with a wind sail against you, but it was worth every second.” He observed that his son, Easton, who had the easy part of the race enjoyed the stroller ride. Masternak likes how many local people turn out for Run the Rock. “It’s mostly locals that turn out. It’s a good little event and it benefits the Boy Scouts, and the Boy Scouts were helping out the whole way. They were ringing bells and clapping at us.” His race time was 26 minutes and 37 seconds. Scout boys and girls were at aid stations along the route, supplying Gatorade and water and making sure people were following the route.
One of the race organizers Emily Verbeke was pleased at the outcome of Run the Rock. “The weather is holding out and we had a great turnout. It’s a great kick-off to the 5K series that runs all summer long. It’s not that everybody’s missed out on an opportunity to come and run. They’ve just missed the first one but come for the second and third,” said Verbeke The other races she mentioned are the History Hustle 5K on June 28 and the Forks 5K on Sept. 20 both held in Albion.
