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Grey Skies - High Spirits |
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Thursday, 08 May 2008 |
 Submitted by Huron Chamber of Commerce
Runners in the 10th annual Huron Chamber of Commerce Lighthouse Half Marathon & 5K were faced with gray skies and balmy temperatures on Saturday, May 3, but the torrential rains held off until all of the runners had made it back to the HHS stadium. There - they were greeted with a bountiful brunch, massages, trophies, and lots and lots of medals.
Nearly 200 entrants from across Ohio and nearby states, turned out for the annual event. Top winner overall in the men's category of the Half Marathon was Alex Etchill of Sandusky and the fastest woman was Cheri Napholz of North Canton. In the 5K for the men fastest runner was Bryan Nemire of Berlin Heights and the woman with the best time was 14-year-old Katie Link of Avon Lake.
As a part of the 10th anniversary celebration, trophies were also awarded to the tops male and female runners in each race from Erie County and from Huron.
Fastest half marathoner from Erie County was Alex Etchill and in the women's division, Sheri Branum. Fastest Huron marathoners were Cole Hanley and Kim Springer. In the 5K race, the top Erie Countians were Bryan Nemire and Kristy Flesher, and Huronites, Kirk Thorne and Brandi Heidl.
In an effort to get more residents out to cheer on the runners, the Chamber sponsored a "Come to the Beach" contest. Local clubs and groups were asked to turn out to man water stops along the route dressed in their best "Jimmy Buffet" attire. This was a huge success, with the Huron Eagles Auxiliary capturing first place with their beach blanket bingo "stop" complete with a huge sun umbrella, palm trees and actual beach blankets. Second place went to the Huron High School French Club, whose members took the beach theme to a pirate's island. The HHS Model U.N. Club came in third and members of the Tigers football team captured fourth place.
Emily Ineson, 13, was starter for the race. Her grandfather, Ron Inseon, who passed away recently, was a longtime Chamber volunteer and a well-known community activist. Singing the National Anthem was Huron tenor, Dick Schuh.
Members of the Ehove Ghrist Career Center's Massage Therapy Program, under the direction of Niki Hettel, LMT, offered chair massages to weary runners.
"This is a huge undertaking for our Chamber," said Sheila Ehrhardt, director, "one that would be impossible to stage, without the help of a small army generous sponsors and hard-working volunteers. Major race benefactors were Firelands Regional Medical Center, River's Edge Inn, and Kalahari Waterpark Resorts.
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