Canalway kicked off its 2024 Towpath Trilogy race series with the Towpath Half and 5 Mile Race in the Cleveland Metroparks Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights last Sunday, April 14.
More than 300 runners participated in the half marathon, and more than 200 runners took the five-mile challenge.
Mitchell Kozik, 25, of Wadsworth placed first overall, with a time 1:10: 45:05; Bryce Pulley, 33, of Cuyahoga Falls placed second with a time of 1:19:35:53; and Jack Burgeson, 32, of Cleveland placed third with a time of 1:23:58:34.
Natalie Hill, 29, of Broadview Heights led the women with a time of 1:31:42:73; Jennie Swires, 43, of Mantua place second with a time of 1:38:30:36; and Virginia Sanderson, 19, of Oberlin placed third with a time of 1:38:42:15.
Nicholas Murphy of Alliance, Jeff Chen of Northfield, and Michelle Hrehocik of North Royalton finished in the top three spots in the 5 Mile Race.
FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski caught the runners in action and their supporters cheering them on and enjoying the day.
The next event in the Towpath Trilogy is the Towpath Twilight, with 5K, 10K, and 10 mile races on June 14, and the Towpath Marathon on Oct. 5.