Time To Run
What: 25th Ghost & Goblins 5K run and walk
Where: RiverScape Metro Park, 11 E. Monument
When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26
Why: Benefits Children's Medical Center of Dayton
Awards: Medals to all finishers; best Halloween costume awards; first 2,500 entries get long-sleeved tech shirt.
More info: (937) 640-2786
Whether or not you believe in ghosts, you’d have to admit that Dave Johnston has been bewitching Dayton’s downtown Ghosts & Goblins 5K.
A more definitive and accurate explanation would be dominating, period.
When he steps to the starting line for the 25th running of the colorful event on Tuesday, Oct. 26, he’ll be gunning for his 10th successive Ghost & Goblins victory.
You could say he “owns” the popular holiday attraction, but even that’s an understatement.
It’s one of the area’s most amazing road running feats, and race director Ingrid Honzak would gladly be the first to acknowledge the accomplishment.
“It’s unheard of,” said Honzak, a longtime worldly runner herself who has completed five 100-mile races. “It’s unprecedented here and maybe the entire country.
“Furthermore, you have to consider that strong, younger runners are coming up every year, but Dave still manages to be the frontrunner.”
So how does the slender, 36-year-old Yellow Springs High School grad and special education teacher explain such awesome dominance.
“I have to admit I am pointing for this race every year,” said Johnston in what was hardly a surprise statement. “I kind of tune up for the race and it’s usually my last road race of the year.
“This year I’ve been bothered by a hip injury, so I’m hoping I can do as well.”
He said his best time ever in the streak was 15:34 “several years ago.”
He charged home ahead of the pack in 16:07 last year, but the big deal in last year’s race was to see his wife, Christina, race home first in the women’s division in 17:43.
“That’s the first time that has happened ... it was a big night for us,” said Johnston, a Xenia resident.
He said his time was a little slower a year ago because he was coming off a victory in the U.S. Air Force Marathon in 2:30.42. Christina kept the family name front and center this year by winning the USAF women’s half marathon in 1:18.20.
Johnston, a graduate of Ashland University, where he majored in sports medicine and health and education, said he remembers doing a lot of running as a student at Mills Lane Elementary “and I ran as a freshman under Vince (Peter’s) guidance at Yellow Springs ... and Vince has always there for me thereafter.”
Johnston expressed respect for Honzak, saying “she’s a wonderful organizer and it’s well known that she has made the Ghost & Goblins event one of the biggest on the Ohio River Road Runners Club schedule.”
Last year’s race — an event that was started 25 years ago as a 10K in Farmersville — drew 2,700 entries, second only to the Miamisburg Turkey Day Classic.
The Ghost & Goblins 5K has become a big family attraction with a strong Halloween atmosphere. Prizes are given for the best Halloween costumes, so youngsters are plentiful.
“It takes a lot of hard work, but I have 100 volunteers helping me to make it a success,” Honzak said.
“We will have our lighted luminaries again but the newest feature will be the Shriners, who will actually lead the runners on their Shriner scooters,” Honzak said.
Honzak, previously named the ORRRC’s Director of the Year, is in her 15th year as the G & G director.
Eight-year-old Cobi and 2-year-old Kyle Johnston will take time out from trick-or-treating to cheer on mom and dad.
Contact this writer at (937) 236-6032; mickeyz@zoomtown.com.
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