Skip to content

Volunteers, organizations make Journal Jog flow smoothly

Author
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:

LORAIN – For the fifth time, runners will converge on downtown Lorain as the Ritenauer’s Run will take over Black River Landing on Aug. 3.

The run begins at 9 a.m. Black River Landing is at 421 Black River Lane.

Morning Journal Publisher Jeff Sudbrook said the Journal Jog wouldn’t be possible without the sponsors and volunteers.

Each year, he said, sponsors step up to the plate financially, while dozens of individuals step up as volunteers.

The first group of volunteers are Morning Journal employees and family members. The newspaper’s staff will meet on volunteering July 28.

‘They do everything from registering the runners and walkers, setting up for the race and making sure we have water available for all participants,’ Sudbrook said.

The volunteers also make sure that there are donations of fruit and water available and whatever else is necessary to make it a pleasant event for the participants, he said.

Cindy Knudsen, assistant controller at The Morning Journal, takes care of all the registrations, Sudbrook said. Jackie Sigman, a multimedia account executive at the Morning Journal, coordinates the donations and the setup of the transportation center at Black River Landing, Sudbrook said.

Ron Beal, general manager of advertising at The Morning Journal, oversees the overall experience at the event, Sudbrook said.

Runners also will be able to enjoy a DJ, which is secured from WOBL/WDLW.

Former Morning Journal employee Don Collier, who owns Red Zone Delivery which delivers Morning Journals, volunteers at the two water stops along the course with his friends, Sudbrook said. They also call out times at the mile markers, help runners and walkers register the day of the event and set up and tear down the event, along with other volunteers.

‘The Lorain Port Authority and Lorain Metro Parks play key roles in the event,’ Sudbrook said. ‘Rick Novak (executive director of the Port Authority) and Ralph Bruening (facilities manager and special events coordinator for the Port Authority) make the Transportation Center available to us. It is a great facility that has everything we need.’

It gives a beautiful view of the river and plenty of parking, he said.

‘Bryan Goldthorpe (manager of Lakeview Park) always has Lakeview Park looking great and clean for the runners,’ Sudbrook said. ‘This is just a few of the people and organizations that make donations or volunteer their time or facilities to make sure we have a great event in downtown Lorain.’

The Lorain Auxiliary Police will make sure the course is marked and secured.

Parking will be available in area lots and at Black River Landing, Knudsen said.

As for road closures, vehicle traffic will be closed on West Erie Avenue from Oberlin Avenue to Fifth Street; Oberlin Avenue from West Erie Avenue to First Street; First Street from Oberlin Avenue to Riverfront Place.

Broadway will be completely closed at 8:45 a.m. and re-opened when the last participant is off Broadway.

Riverfront Place will be closed from 8:45 a.m. until the event is over.

West Erie Avenue, Second Street, Ashland Avenue and First Street will have the north lane coned off and maintained by auxiliary officers.

Those who are interested in running in the Jog, can register until the day of at www.Morn

ingJournal.com. There also will be on-site registration.

Runners Awards: Top 3 finishers in each age division both male and female participants.

Overall Awards (5K race only): Top Male and Female

1st Place, $300; 2nd Place, $200; 3rd Place, $100

Age Divisions: 12 and younger, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44

45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and older

3K Walk $15, $10 students 12 and younger

5K Run $15 pre-registered, $20 race day