Second annual Bulldog Dash draws hundreds

Becky Nussbaum, of Lakeville (18:02.90) was the overall winner of the Dalton Fire Bulldog Dash Nov. 2 in Dalton.

PHOTOS BY LISA McGINTY | LMc Photography

Kevin Lehman, of Apple Creek (18:39.24), was the top overall winner in the men’s division.

Dalton fifth graders Mackenzie Raber, Elliana Combs and Audrey Soehnlen participated in the Bulldog Dash Nov. 1.

Some dogs enjoyed taking their owners on a run as well during the Bulldog Dash.

Pure joy is on the faces of some of the youngest participants in the Kids 1 Mile Run/Walk.

DALTON  A fall race for a good cause on a crisp but sunny and pleasant Saturday morning brought out nearly 400 participants and raised more than $30,000.

The second annual Dalton Fire Bulldog Dash 5K and Kids 1 Mile Run/Walk began and ended at Dalton High School Nov. 1 and included part of the picturesque Sippo Valley Trail. Those who ran and walked and their supporters who
cheered them on enjoyed music, refreshments and a lively atmosphere.

Top three overall winners in the men’s division were Kevin Lehman, of Apple Creek (18:39.24), Michael Yoder, of Navarre, (19:09.19), and Joe Combs (19:32.17), of Dalton. The top three overall winners in the women’s division were Becky Nussbaum, of Lakeville (18:02.90), Trisha Maibach, of Creston (20:41.39) and Beth Woodward, of Orrville, (21:37.63).

“People were just really happy,” said Jess Stutzman, who co-directs the Bulldog Dash with her husband, Jason Stutzman.

A couple of years ago when talk began about possibly hosting a race, the Dalton husband-wife team, who are avid runners and familiar with charity races and marathons, seemed like a natural fit.

Jess Stutzman shared that Brian Polen from Mid Ohio Race Management, who provided professional timing for the event through electronic chips, is known for reminding runners to “take it all in and don’t forget to have fun,” and Stutzman said she hoped that participants did just that.

Registrants received unique hoodies and finisher’s medals and enjoyed prizes and post-race refreshments.

“We hope everybody had fun and soaked in the beautiful leaves on the towpath and a nice crisp fall morning with friends and family, “ Stutzman said. “We were so happy how nice it was. We got a lot of compliments about the nice race.”

Not many races are going on at this time as much as they are during the summer. The Bulldog Dash is put on in the same spirit as another popular fall run that continued in this village for 15 years.
The Stutzmans said that after the event it means so much to receive positive feedback from friends in the running community, residents, and first-time racers about how much they enjoyed the race. Most of all, it means a lot to receive encouragement from the Fratenas.
Bob Fratena is on the Dalton Firefighters Association board and he helped his wife, Chrissy, and other family members organize the Rich Dalessandro Memorial Run from 2008-2022 in honor of Chrissy’s brother who died from leukemia. The race benefited a local family each year as well as a local chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

“His input means a lot,” Jason Stutzman said. “He’s given us a lot of advice over the past few years.”

The Bulldog Dash takes months to put together and the Stutzmans said they are grateful to volunteers, sponsors and businesses who make the race possible. Prairie Farms donated chocolate milk and Dutch Kitchen donated cookies. Two coffee trailers were available and breakfast burritos were sold. Jim’s Transmission and Auto Repair owners and family handed out water as well as medals to runners at the finish line.
A fun run was well attended and Jason Stutzman ran the one mile with the Stutzmans’ two young daughters.

Organizers are prepared for the race to grow each year and will adjust the race location and the route as needed to accommodate the growth.

For its inaugural year, the race was capped at 250. About $12,000 was raised and funds purchased a new monitor/defibrillator for a Dalton Fire Department squad.

This year, 385 people participated and $30,740 was raised.

“It was awesome,” Jess Stutzman said. “We weren’t expecting that.”

The Dalton Firefighters Association, a 501c3 nonprofit, plans to have a board meeting to discuss what to purchase to best fit the needs of the community and they look forward to sharing that information in the near future.

The Stutzmans said they would like to thank everybody for all their help in putting the successful event together.

Many sponsors are listed on the race’s page through Mid Ohio Race Management. Three top sponsors are Maverick Motorworks, The J. Horst Manufacturing Company, and The Wayne County KIKOs.

“They made it an incredible day for us,” she said.

The Stutzmans said people told them they already plan to return next year.

“It’s good for the community and a lot of people who run in this area enjoy doing it with us,” Jess Stutzman said.

Some people ran the race for the first time and they told organizers they enjoyed the event and the atmosphere and had a great day.

Jason Stutzman said he hopes that people are encouraged to keep running whether they’re seasoned or beginners, and that the Bulldog Dash helps to inspire them to take part in other races.

“Keep running and start a good habit of health and go to more races,” he said.

For more information and photos visit the Dalton Fire Bulldog Dash 5K Facebook page.