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Runners, walkers and wheelers fill the streets for annual Ryan Johnson Runners Believe Walk/5K Run

By Mike Brown
A group of runners race around an early curve in the course during the 19th annual Ryan Johnson Runners Believe Memorial 5K race held Saturday evening in Beloit.
A group of runners race around an early curve in the course during the 19th annual Ryan Johnson Runners Believe Memorial 5K race held Saturday evening in Beloit. Mike Brown

BELOIT — Runners, walkers and wheelers filled the streets of Beloit Saturday evening as the 19th annual Ryan Johnson Runners Believe Walk/5K Run was held.

The late Ryan Johnson was an outstanding distance runner at West Branch who tragically passed away after running a leg of a 3200-meter relay during a West Branch-Canton South track meet in 2008 in Beloit. The walk/run is held annually in his memory and proceeds from the event go toward two $1,000 scholarships provided to graduating West Branch High School students.

Ryan Johnson’s father, Roy Johnson, served as race director and started the runners in this year’s race. He said the event was successful once again and praised an increased number of volunteers who helped out with the 2026 event.

“We’ve got a lot of people from different communities helping out and volunteering which just amazes me,” praised Roy Johnson. “I’ve increased it (the work force) today, we’ve probably got about 25 volunteers. I’ve got more people out on the course this year (to direct runners).”

A total of 150 runners from four different states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and North Carolina, took part in this year’s race which began and ended on the grounds of West Branch High and also traversed through Main Street in Beloit.

Overcast skies gave way to sun just 20 minutes before the race, providing excellent running conditions. Ludt’s Towing of Boardman led the runners around the course.

Winning the men’s race with ease was Daniel Fahl from Hartville, who led from start to finish and ended with an outstanding time of 18:40. Earning second place overall was Jacob Day of Carrollton who clocked a time of 20:17 and earning third place was Henry Roudebush of Carrollton in a time of 20:22.

The top overall women’s finisher was Isabella Cantwell of Alliance who ended with a time of 23:24. Second place in the Women’s Division went to Kelly Ewing from Beloit in 24:27 and third place was garnered by Karen Moff of Beloit in 25:18.

Roy Johnson thanked the many sponsors who helped out with the event and provided their time and monetary support for the t-shirts, medals, food and prize baskets for the many division winners.

Complete results can be found at gcxc youngstown, which once again provided timing for the race.