Kim Light's Staging Area

It is a typical out and back course that is flat. The race starts with a ceremony including the reading of the names of all fallen firefighters and police officers, a 21 gun salute and the playing of the bagpipes. The 2 mile race is very flat past the fallen officers memorial past some amazing metal work. The 5 mile course does have a big down hill portion to get into the park and a large uphill to get to the last mile and finish. A great run for a great cause.

This was the first time I started a race in tears. We lined up at 8:30AM in front of the Amherst Fire Station surrounded by firemen and Law Enforcement Officers in full gear ready to run with us. There were the usual thank you’s for the sponsors and participating groups, the National Anthem, explanation of the significance of 9/11, and a moment of silence. Then they played the dispatch call from 9/11 in New York, followed by 2 Amherst Police cars pulling out with lights and sirens and 1 of the fire trucks doing the same. The race manager then called out “Roll out” which was our cue to begin the race. It was a small-ish crowd of about 300 people. Very well organized and a great course starting at the fire station, going past the police station, through a wooded park, down a trail and through Downtown Amherst.
I will definitely run this race again.

The race was changed to a Virtual Race due to the Corona Virus. There was great communication from the race committee with all of the changes that were made as they happened.

While there are a plethora of holiday time races in the Cleveland area, I would highly recommend this one. There is nothing better then running through a theme park that is silent and blanketed in snow with great views of Lake Erie. It was well organized with great swag. This is my 4th year running this event and it gets better every time.

The race itself was well organized and easy to get number and shirt prior to the race. My only complaint was the lecture that was promised was held after the race while people were still on the course. One of the reasons I attended was to hear the lecture and gather information. However when I completed the race and went to the pavilion, the lecture was over. I know I am slow but this was frustrating to me. Either hold the information session prior to the race or wait until everyone is finished.