The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
AND THEY’RE OFF
Runners start the eighth annual Journal Jog at the Black River Landing on July 30. Full coverage of Morning Journal’s annual event
At the eighth annual Journal Jog at Black River Landing on July 30, people from all walks of life, from little kids to 70-year-olds, competed on a scorching summer morning.
For 16-year-old Sam McClelland, he had a great advantage considering he’s a cross country and track runner from Harrison Central High School in Cadiz, Ohio. The Freeport resident clocked in at 18:02.7, taking first overall on the men’s side.
“It wasn’t really my goal,” McClelland said of his time. “I ran an 18:01 last year and the best in my season was a 17, so I was a little disappointed but I’ll take it.”
McClelland’s family lives in the Lorain area and as he was visiting, saw The Morning Journal was hosting a 5K race and decided to compete.
He was a state qualifier last season on his school’s 4x800 relay team and used this as a mid-summer tune up before his cross country season.
“I just want to get ready for the season and work on my times,” McClelland added.
With construction in the area, the route was changed from last year, and according to a few runners, the course presented more hills than prior years.
McClelland wasn’t fazed.
“It was a pretty nice course — pretty flat and only two hills, but they weren’t bad at all,” he said. “It was a little too hot but it was nice running weather.”
McClelland was in seventh grade when he first started running and initially wanted to do football, but opted against it. He chose cross country and fell in love with it.
“My friends that ran cross country ended up getting me into track,” he said. “I also play soccer occasionally but not full-time.”
McClelland said it was his third or fourth Journal Jog, and last year ran in 24 minutes. The sixminute drop off is significant, and he attributed it to running a lot more during the summer.
Winning races isn’t anything
new to McClelland, and he understands that a race like this only provides a stepping stone to what he hopes springboards into a solid cross country season.
“I feel like I can accomplish more and I need to keep pushing,” he said. “Last summer I didn’t run at all and this one I knew I had to bump up the competition a little bit.”
McClelland kept his preparation leading up to the race simple: A healthy diet and consistent running. The only thing he ate was a banana prior to the race and added that he’s learned he can’t cheat the process to becoming an elite runner.
“Don’t ever stop running,” he said. “I don’t care if it’s a mile or two miles or even a half mile, something is better than nothing.”
Coming into second place on the men’s side was Alex Radanovich with a 18:17.7 and Creighton Jensen clocking in at 18:19.7.