Hero Hustle 5k Water Run a hit
Claire Bates, 6, of Newcomerstown shows her readiness as a first-time participant in the Hero Hustle 5k. She ran with her grandmother Sondra Bates.
The seventh annual Hero Hustle 5k run was held on one of the hottest days of the year on July 13, making the event’s transition to a water race welcome. Runners and walkers started from Cy Young Park and made their way around Newcomerstown streets for the event.
In addition to water stops, hydrants were opened and Newcomerstown High School, and cheerleaders manned hoses to keep everyone cool. A lawn sprinkler was set up at the end of the race, and those signed up got a free pass to the Cy Young Park pool.
The event was sponsored by the #orangeandblackgetfit team and Operation Veterans Helping Veterans Foundation. Half of the proceeds from the event are donated to help veterans.
The top three award winners in each category and their times were as follows:
—Male: Trevor Hawkins, first place, 21:54.13; Kyle Dunn, second place, 23:15.06; and Jordan Reigle, third place, 26:50.08.
—Female: Sandy Himes, first place, 25:47.80; Jillian Welch, second place, 27:07.80; and Kelly Law, third place, 27:59.02.
—Runners under 14: Gavin Hardesty, first place, 25:17.46; Dylan Moore, 13, second place, 28:17.96; and Gage Hammond, third place, 32:55.01.
Organizers were pleased with this year’s race, which for the first time was moved from late May to July.
“I think it went really well,” said Autumn Hendershot, one of the organizers. “We had a lot of participants and donors that helped with the race. The community collaborated great together with the Cy Young Pool, the Newcomerstown Fire Department, the water department and Mayor Pat Cadle.”
Hendershot was grateful for the help of others.
“We also had a good turnout with our veterans. And we want to thank our Newcomerstown American Legion for doing our opening ceremony,” Hendershot said.
Raising the American flag over Cy Young Park prior to the race were Army veterans Denny Ross, Al Miskimen and Greg Rehard, along with Air Force veteran Don Albaugh. Keeley Carter of West Lafayette sang the national anthem. DJ Chase from Mega Music provided music and the sound system for the event. Tracy Jones volunteered to take photographs of the event, and Broken Cup drink trailer provided refreshments.
A pop of red, white and blue confetti celebrated the start of the race. The 2024 Hero Hustle race shirts provided to participants featured the face of an eagle overtop a flag on a blue background.
Phil Valdez, president of operation Veterans Helping Veterans, read aloud the names of local veterans to honor them for their service.
Thanks went to the following:
—Army veterans: Denny Ross, Al Miskimen, Greg Rehard, Curtis Stogner, Kevin Welch, Matt Kline, Shawn Shivers, Victor Green, Bill Owens, Teagan Young, Jim Haines, Fred D. Barr, Patrick Clark, Tristan Mizer, Ronald Porcher, Lester Porcher, Derrek Morehead, Joy Fogal, Grant Ford, Chad Elliot, Danny D. West, Dawn Deslatte, and Army National Guard members Tanner Roe, Joe Klier and Kole Carpenter.
—Air Force veterans: Don Albaugh, Brandon Stoffer, Raymond Reidenbach, Bill Hendershot, Merada Pierce, Tommy J. Dreher and Air National Guard member Josh Brown.
—Marine Corp veterans: Jason Miller, Kenneth Sherrets, Robert Lucas, Phil Valdez, Brian Hawkins, Rachael Bare and Andrew Troyer.
—Navy veterans: Rodney Bowen, Frank Nardozzi, Howard J. Barr and Lance Bradford.
The Hero Hustle is the only veteran-related event the #orangeandblackgetfit organization holds each year, and it is their biggest event. They do help with other events, but their primary mission as a nonprofit group is to provide free workout classes to the West Lafayette/Newcomerstown area.
“They’re free to the community. We welcome anybody to come — men, women, children. They’re all welcome to come to our classes,” Hendershot said.
The group has been together for seven or eight years.
Operation Veterans Helping Veterans provides financial support for veterans if they need help with things like housing or doctor visits. The group also distributes Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets.
The organizers were happy with the new summer date of the Hero Hustle 5k. Look for it to be held again in July 2025.