MIKE BROWN: The 15th annual Ryan Johnson Memorial 5K set May 13
The 15th annual Ryan Johnson Memorial 5K run/walk is slated at 9 a.m. May 13 at West Branch High School.
Ryan Johnson was a successful track runner at West Branch who died after running a leg of a distance relay in a home track meet against Canton South in April of 2008. He was a multi-sport athlete, joyful young man and a strong person of faith, like his family, including his parents, Roy and Linda Johnson, and his sister, Erica.
Who does the Ryan Johnson Memorial 5K benefit?
Roy and Linda Johnson began the Ryan Johnson Memorial 5K as a way to honor their son while providing scholarship opportunities for West Branch athletes through funds raised each year from the race.
“This is actually our 15th year and we’ve got a new timing company and we’re doing a lot more promotions,” said Roy Johnson. “I’ve got a sponsor this year for the medals, so we have 200 medals and the first 200 entrants get a medal and a t-shirt. We’re using Greater Cleveland Cross Country Timing and they actually have a Cleveland Division, a Youngstown Division and a Pittsburgh Division and they’re doing a whole lot of different things for us this year.”
The cost to enter this year’s race is $25 pre-race and includes a t-shirt and finisher medal. The cost the day of the race is also $25 but doesn’t guarantee a t-shirt and medal.
Runners. walkers and riders can take part in the race
The race is open to runners, walkers and riders.
“Last year we were at about 125 (runners),” said Roy Johnson, who would love to see more participants from all areas including Mahoning County.
“We get a lot of the same runners year after year,” he said. “The first year was the best, we had 350 runners, but it was a lot of the kids who went to school with Ryan. Now a lot of those kids have moved away and have families of their own, so it’s hard to attract them back. But we’ve still got a lot of the runners and the walkers over the years that just enjoy the race. It’s a flat (easy running) course.”
Roy Johnson said he’s always looking for ways to add to the Ryan Johnson Memorial 5K.
“I’ve been helping out with other races and talking to runners and trying to improve our race every year — things they might enjoy different in our race,” he explained.
Johnson said there’s another added bonus for runners in the Ryan Johnson Memorial 5K.
“We feed everybody after the race,” he said. “After a lot of races, you get a banana, some fruit and a bottle of water. In our race, we’ll make like 300 subs and all of the fruit. We also have cookies from my mother in law. Brunner’s Farm Market donates the meat and cheese (for the subs) and Giant Eagle in Salem donates (the sub buns) and we are very appreciative for all they do for the race.”
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