Trading in Boots and Spurs For Running Shoes at The Buckeye Classic 5K!
By: Brittany Bevis
Today might have been an off-day for horses at the 2015 Buckeye, but that doesn’t mean riders were taking it easy. Over 70 people registered for this morning’s inaugural Buckeye Blitz 5K, which kicked off bright and early at 8:30 am at the Eden Park fairgrounds in Ohio. The route took competitors approximately one mile around the facility, so those determined to finish the race ran, walked, or ambled three times around.
For an entry fee of $25, participants received a moisture-wicking t-shirt, race bib, goodie bag full of items from NOQHA, EOQHA, SOQHA, OQHA, and Buckeye Nutrition, and an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at the Sweet Shop following the race. Competitors who successfully finished the race were rewarded with a medal.
The awards for top runners were as follows:
Top Overall Male: Brian Bennett
Top Overall Female: Kayla McConnell
Top Trainer: Sarah Hinkel
Top Amateur: Eric Mendrysa
Top Youth: Josh Conger
Top Dog: Keri Collins’ Corgi
Top Costume: Hank Clason
(All of the above winners received a $15 iTunes gift card)
Top Team: Bernatowicz Show Horses
(Received a $200 gift card to a local establishment, Joe’s Firehouse Tavern, for the barn to enjoy dinner together)
Unofficial Award… Team with the Most Enthusiasm and the Best Mimosas: Hank Clason Quarter Horses
Buckeye Classic representative, Rebecca Dingus, was onsite to capture all the action.
“Hank Clason’s barn definitely had the most team spirit, complete with custom t-shirts!” she says. “Hank Clason and Candi Fites also made the option of mimosas being available to race participants along the course. For some, it was a hard decision to choose between water or mimosas!”
“Everyone had a blast. It was definitely a fun, bonding experience for all participants, with many first time 5K runners. We received very positive feedback and many pleas for us to have a 5K again next year.”
This event wasn’t just for fun. Proceeds from the inaugural Buckeye Blitz will go to the new Buckeye Classic Scholarship. Later on in the show, a one-time award of $1,000 will be presented to one individual seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree.
In other Buckeye news, Tim Kimura arrived this morning and is currently underway with Trail clinics. Two clinics have been filled, so many are choosing the option to audit. Kimura will be here to run Trail and pattern classes for both days at The Buckeye Classic.
Scroll below to view some great photos from the 5K!
Also, yesterday marked the third annual Buckeye Open Charity Golf Tournament. The event saw an exceptional turnout! $6,500 was raised for the Ohio Quarter Horse Association Scholarship Fund.
Plenty of fun was had by all, maybe a little too much fun… as evident during the costume contest portion of the course!
Click here for some hilarious photos courtesy of OQHA. See if you recognize any of your fellow competitors, horse trainers, or even OQHA board members…
