Firecracker 5K fun
Beginners, veterans show off true colors
No matter how many times a runner participates in the Brentwood Firecracker 5K race, they almost always finish hot and happy.
“Everyone talks this event up and it was a great event from what I saw,” said Eddie Flohr.
A Chartiers Valley High School graduate, Flohr is an assistant boys varsity basketball coach at Moon High School. He traveled from Weirton to watch his girlfriend’s son compete in the 3.1-mile run for the first time. Noah Spoon, 12, covered the course in 29:46 and gave it a thumbs up.
“I liked it,” he said. “I’ll definitely be doing it next year.”
Flohr might just join Spoon as well as his own mother.
At age 61, Kate Flohr posted a respectable 35:22 time considering race conditions. Temperatures were recorded as 91 degrees under cloudy skies when the starting gun sounded. Additionally, 2,278 of the 2,507 pre-registered runners crowded the course and finished the run.
“I think it’s awesome,” Flohr said of his first Fourth of July in Brentwood.
He was also impressed with the post-race celebration as well as the day’s events prepared to recognize the nation’s 250th birthday.
“It’s so nice to get out here and celebrate with everyone else in the community.”
Justin Joyce, 35, of Scott Township and Jessica Navoney, 43, of Mt. Lebanon had plenty to celebrate. Long-time veterans of the Brentwood Firecracker 5K Run, they have been competing for more than three decades.
In fact, Joyce’s name appears as the youngest finisher at age 5 in the 1996 race by runhigh.com which started keeping official records that year.
While Joyce has competed in other events such as the Pittsburgh Great Race, EQT 10-miler and half marathons, he says that he “sticks” with 5K and the Brentwood Firecracker run is his favorite.
“I will always do this one,” he vowed. “I’ve been doing this since I was three-and-a-half years old.”
Joyce, who grew up in Whitehall and played basketball at Baldwin High School, said he has always liked long-distance running. In fact he ran some cross country before switching over to hoops.
To prepare for his races, Joyce lifts weights and trains at LA Fitness in Bridgeville. This year, however, he ran around the neighborhood to gear up for the hills in the Brentwood race.
“The race will challenge you like no other race,” he said. “Three hills down. Three hills back. You either get it done or you don’t. Whether it’s raining or sunny, the conditions will test you but you gotta finish.”
Joyce finished in 29:59. He placed 812th overall and 592 out of 1,206 male racers. He finished 66th in his age group, 36-39. While his time was slower by a minute from last year’s 28.32 mark, his placement was better.
“Last year was muggier,” Joyce said. “Although it was hot, not close to 95 degrees, it’s not as humid. This year there was more about the heat. Humidity is the problem. The humidity was in check but it was hot.”
Conditions will change again next year as Joyce will likely have added company when he races. While his wife, Rachel, is a runner, his seven-week-old daughter, Jemma, may be out of the stroller and standing on her own two feet taking her first steps.
Meanwhile, Navoney remembers those initial strides.
“I started running this with my dad,” she said of the Brentwood Race. “Since I was five, maybe.”
Soon after her cousin passed away, she started pushing a stroller with a special needs athlete. This year, she pushed Eddie Barker, 14. The two crossed the finish line in 27:25.
“I wanted to give back and do it in honor of my cousin,” she said.
Navoney noted how she has the ability to compete. She enters triathlons and bike races regularly and has participated in Iron Man competitions.
Navoney also works as a swimming and fitness instructor at Highpoint Fitness. She also helps with the fitness center’s Special Olympics program, training the athletes, specifically the swimmers.
“I am able to run in all these races and I believe that anybody can too regardless of their physicalities. I use my heart and legs to get kids or adults across that finish line. They all deserve this opportunity. When they have crossed that finish line, they have earned that medal.”
After a wild winter with excess snow and frigid temperatures and a similar spring with dramatic temperature swings, Navoney welcomed the heat that July brings. She was unaffected by the race conditions.
“I love the warm weather, and I think it just brings out the spirit of summer,” she said. “I love the warmth, and everybody’s out here enjoying the beautiful day.”
Navoney added that it’s been a “magical day” because of the 250th birthday celebration of the country.
“I love the support I see from everybody here. It’s amazing. This year’s the best,” she enthused.
It was one of the best years for the Freedy family of Mt. Lebanon. While Tucker, Sue, Katie and Andrew were registered and ran, Ryan Monahan subbed for Julie because she was called in for work. Monahan is Tucker and Julie’s nephew and he was visiting from Indianapolis.
“I’m super excited. It’s gonna be a phenomenal race,” said Tucker, who donned a red wig to wear during his run while Monahan sported a blue wig. “I love it. This is such a great community event.”
Tucker predicted the Freedy crew would be okay considering the weather conditions.
“It’s a little cooler than I thought it was going to be. We’re going to hang in there and we are well hydrated.”
Sue was physically prepared, too. She said she trained for the run.
“Not the last two days like in the past,” she said with a laugh. “We were on a beach vacation and running. So I’m ready to go.”
The Freedy family was also prepared to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.
“It’s super great. Super amazing,” Tucker emphasized. “It’s a great celebration.”
“The country’s had a lot of blessings over 250 years. Some mistakes, but a lot of blessings,” added Sue.
Julian Paul and Natalie Shapiro received the largest windfalls as they were the first overall male and female finishers respectively.
Paul, who placed eighth overall last year, took first place with a time of 15:38. Shapiro clocked a 16:55, which was the ninth best time in the field as well as the top time for all females.
Visit the ChronoTrack Event Timing Page for complete results from the race.