Camp Ravenna – This past Saturday, Windham experienced a rare event, the opening of the north gates of Camp Ravenna AKA Ravenna Arsenal. The gates were opened for a few hours for the first 5K race through the facility to help fund the Windham Park Restoration Committee Project. Fifty- six folks came out to support the cause, with many of the participants coming from Ravenna, Mantua, Hudson and even as far away as Mogadore and Plymouth.
The runners took to the street after receiving safety instructions from Lt. Col Meade. The first runner, 18 year old Nick Chambers from Mantua crossed the finish line in 18minutes 57 seconds followed by Ken Batcher, a 42 year old from Hudson who finished second with a time of 19 minutes and 1 second. Third place was Jacob Beckner with a time of 20 minutes 55 seconds. Jacob is from Plymouth Ohio and is 14 years old.
The first lady to cross the finish line was 15-year old Julie James from Mantua with a time of 26 minutes and 40 seconds. By 11:30 am all the walkers and runners had exited Camp Ravenna.
Following the race, the runners had a chance to visit with military personnel in the school parking lot and received a few freebees such as t shirts, water bottles, pencils and lanyards. The event raised approximately $1,200 for the parks.
The park restoration committee’s next fundraiser will be held in conjunction with the firemen’s carnival at the end of the month. The group will run the beer garden for the event with proceeds going to restoration of the park.
