Toth preparing for this year’s race

It wouldn’t be the Johnnycake Jog without Jean Toth, who has participated in all but one running of Ohio’s Finest FiveMiler. Nate Barnes catches up with the Wickliffe resident.

The Johnnycake Jog is a staple of Northeast Ohio’s summer running calendar.

Likewise, Ohio’s Finest Five-Miler isn’t complete without an appearance from Jean Toth. Beginning at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Painesville Township July 8, the Wickliffe resident will run the Johnnycake Jog for the 41st time.

Toth, 82, ran her first Jog in 1978 — the race’s second year of existence. She chose not to run the first year, when the race was held in the afternoon amid inhospitable

temperatures. Toth hasn’t missed the Johnnycake Jog since.

Her motivation to continue running the Johnnycake Jog is straightforward.

“I enjoy doing it,” Toth said. “If I don’t win no more, that’s all right with me. I win because I finish it. Then I’m a winner.”

Toth is a fixture at races around the region. She’s a familiar face to scores of runners, and receives congratulations from many more after each race. Four decades of running spawns friendships, and Toth’s picked up a few interesting stories, too, from her 41 appearances at the Johnnycake Jog.

“One year we had a horse that got loose,” Toth said. “One year a horse got loose, they had to go get it.”

Toth finished the fivemile race last year in 1:09.06. She ran at the Lake County Captains’ Grand Slam 5K July 1, where she was happy she completed her run without stopping. Temperatures climbed near 90 degrees while more than 600 runners were out on the course through Eastlake.

Toth is also a fan of the Johnnycake Jog’s course.

The race begins on Mentor Avenue, then takes runners down Fairgrounds Road to Johnnycake Ridge Road, which brings them back to Mentor Avenue for the home stretch.

“It’s flat,” Toth said. “That’s one thing, it’s flat. It’s very hot coming down that road but I still do it. I like doing it.”

The 5-mile race begins at 8 a.m. July 8. The Johnnycake Jog’s 5K begins at 8:15. Registration for the 5-mile race is $25 before July 8 and $30 on race day. Registration for the 5K costs $20 before July 8 and $25 on race day. More information on the race can be found at johnnycakejog. com and lakehealthrunning.com.

For Toth, her goal is simple.

“Just finishing it,” Toth said. “If I can (place) in my age group, it’ll be fine.”

PAUL DICICCO — THE NEWS-HERALD Jean Toth poses with former Indians manager Mike Hargrove after the Captains Grand Slam 5K on July 1.