BULLDOG DASH 5K blazes a trail in Dalton

PHOTOS BY LISA McGINTY | LMc Photography

DALTON  The morning sun lit up the beautiful fall backdrop of Village Green Park and the Towpath Trail Nov. 2 and greeted runners and walkers of all ages.

AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” helped to rev up the participants as they hit the course for the inaugural Dalton Fire Bulldog Dash 5K.

“It was perfect,” said race director Jess Stutzman, of Dalton, who has been busy the past three months organizing the event with her husband, Jason, co-director of the race and lieutenant on the Dalton Fire Department. “Everybody got a medal and a shirt and you couldn’t have asked for a better day. … It was a happy morning. People were just happy.”

Jess Stutzman said she received compliments from members of the running community. She said she can’t thank enough Brian Polen from Mid Ohio Race Management in Wooster, all the sponsors of the event, and the Dalton Fire Department members who volunteered for anything that was needed.

“There were a lot of moving parts,” Stutzman said.

In its first year, the Stutzmans capped participation at 250 so the trail wouldn’t be crowded — and the event sold out. All runners received medals and shirts and people who signed up in advance received hoodies, which Jess said she already has seen being worn around town. Of the 250 registered, 233 showed up from all corners of Ohio and about 14 kids – and adults – walked and ran the 1-mile.

The top 3 overall winners in the men’s division were John Fernandez, of Canton (17:04.21), Darian Pacula, of Dalton (17:20.79); and Frank Malinowski, of Canal Fulton (18:18.68). The top 3 overall winners in the women’s division were Becky Nussbaum, of Lakeville (18:18.90), Megan Genetin, of Massillon (20:15.39); and Steffi Martin, of Tallmadge (20:24.30).

Numerous prizes were donated including the first place winner overall receiving an engraved axe with the race, the winner’s name and date. Second Sole donated shoes to the top overall winners. Running socks were donated to the top three in each age group thanks to Second Sole and RipGen.

How it came about was the Dalton Fire Department planned a benefit dinner for the evening of Nov. 2. Talk turned to hosting a 5K that morning and Jess Stutzman and her husband, Jason, an officer on the DFD, are both runners who have experience with marathons and 5Ks and have always wanted to direct a race. The village and running community have grown accustomed to a run the first weekend in November since the Fratena family organized the longtime Rich Dalessandro Memorial Run.

The race was fun for participants as well as those in attendance cheering them on and enjoying the pleasant morning outside. More than 200 cups of coffee were sold, 100 cups of water were gratefully accepted by runners at the halfway water stop, and onlookers and participants appreciated cookies, apples and Smith Dairy chocolate milk.

“We’re already working on next year,’ Jess Stutzman said.

With the first year under their belts, the Stutzmans are thinking about changing the course so at least double the number of runners – 500 to 600 – can be accommodated. They would like to organize the event on the same weekend but maybe coordinate with Dalton Local Schools for a different location in case of inclement weather. Next year, they hope to do more with the kids mile and they hope to see sponsors return.

Jason Stutzman said the outpouring of support was appreciated.

“I was amazed how many people kept contacting us wanting to sign up,” he said. They continued to have sponsors contact them leading up to the race as well.

Thanks to the fundraiser, the fire department was able to purchase the newest model of a LIFEPAK 35 monitor/defibrillator for a squad. This life-saving tool takes patients’ vitals and transmits the data directly to the hospital.

The Stutzmans noted that John Tyrrell, who was the first paramedic on the Dalton Fire Department, rode his bicycle and was chosen to lead the first runner back. He also captured photos of the race with his drone and local photographer Lisa McGinty caught the action with photos available on Facebook pages for “LMc Photography LLC” and the “Dalton Fire Bulldog Dash 5K & Kids 1 Mile Run/Walk.”

The Stutzmans’ children ran the one mile along with their dad, Jason.

“We’re just very appreciative of all the participants and sponsors,” Stutzman said. “We’re grateful to everybody.”