Great New Year's Eve Race Attracts Nine Fairlawn Runners

Nine Fairlawn residents were among the 1,000 runners who participated in Summit Athletic Running Club’s annual Great New Year's Eve Race on Saturday in Stow.

Among them was Irtaza Haider of Fairlawn, 19, who finished sixth overall with his time of 17:13. Haider took the award for first place in the male 15-19 age group. His pace per mile was 5:33.

The 5K (3.1 miles) event featured an out-and-back course that started and ended behind , the designated beneficiary of race proceeds. No race-day registration was available because the event sold out several days beforehand, according to the running club's Facebook page.

Crossing the finish line together were Nate and Brenda Loman of Fairlawn, who came in 400th and 401st overall, respectively, with their identical clock times of 27:49.

Nate Loman, 44, placed 41st in the male 40-44 age group. Brenda Loman, 42, finished 21st in the female 40-44 age group.

The other race finishers from Fairlawn were:

• Joseph Zbasnik, 19, whose time of 20:16 gave him 10th  place in the male 15-19 age group and 53rd place overall.

• Timothy Powell, 51, whose time of 24:02 gave him 14th place in the male 50-54 age group and 191st place overall.

• Steve Lewandowski, 29, whose time of 24:48 gave him 15th place in the male 25-29 age group and 240th place overall.

• Kathleen Reffner, 52, whose time of 28:28 gave her 10th place in the female 50-54 age group and 432nd place overall.

• Sandi Newgent, 43, whose time of 31:19 gave her 38th place in the female 40-44 age group and 589th place overall.

• Melany Powell, 48, whose time of 35:21 gave her 48th place in the female 45-49 age group and 737th overall.

Race photos courtesy of Mickey Rzymek of North Coast Multisports Inc.