The 21st annual Arnold 5K Pump & Run was one of the nearly 80 events held during the 33rd annual Arnold Sports Festival.
With over 750 athletes registered for the Arnold 5K Pump & Run from twenty-seven States, Washington D.C. and Canada, this event is the largest of its' kind in the World. The race started on High Street by the Arnold Schwarzenegger statue, ran towards downtown and loop around the town before finishing on High Street in front of Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Before the runners started their run they spent the morning weighing in and bench pressing to reduce their running times. The lifting rules were: Men 39 and under bench pressed 100% of their weight, men 40 - 49 did 90% of their weight, men 50 -59 benched 80% of their weight, men 60-69 did 70% and men 70 and over lifted 60%. Women 39 and under benched pressed 70% of their weight, women 40 - 49 benched 60% of their weight, women 50-59 benched 50% of their weight and women 60 and over lifted 40%. For each lift a runner's time was reduced by 30 seconds with a maximum of 30 reps counted.
Twelve of the first fourteen men benched the maximum of 30 lifts. Cumming, Georgia’s Matthew Bird (28) turned in the fastest time of the day (15:37) to record a .37 to win. Silver Spring, Maryland’s Vaughan O’Brien (46) took home runner up honors with his (16:27) and overall time of 1:27. Saline, Michigan’s Eric Pear (52) improved three spots from 2020 to take home the bronze with his 17:25 and final time of 2:25 Cincinnati’s Robert Messmer (46) runner up from 2020 was fourth with his 17:35 and adjusted time of 2:35. Scott Deport, West Virginia’s Blake Stevens (46) improved four spots from the last race to place fifth with his 18:05 and 3:05.
Dublin’s T.J. Enright (37) moved two spot back from 2020 with his 17:13 and final time of 3:13 to finish sixth. Caldwell’s Randy Lowe (53) moved back four spots from the last event to finish seventh with his 18:08 and adjusted time of 3:38. Dublin’s Brad Conklin (40) improved two spot from 2020 to finish eighth with his 18:41 and 3:41. Columbus’ Blaize O’Brien (51) ran 18:46 to place ninth with his finish time of 3:46. Cincinnati’s Colton Grothaus (25) round out the top ten with his 18:48 and adjusted time of 3:48.
The top ten women benched their required weight 30 times this year. Fenton, Michigan’s Lisa Veneziano (57) won her ninth Arnold 5K Pump & Run 5K crown with her run time of 18:26 to place seventh overall with her adjusted time of 3:26. Lewis Center’s Brook Baker (40) took home runner up honors with her 21:12 and final time of 6:18. Canal Winchester’s Jessica Baker (40) ran 21:55 to record a 6:51 to capture the bronze. Columbus’ Kate Couden (41) was fourth with her 22:35 and 7:35. Hilliard’s Ashley Tryban (35) moved down two spots from 2020 with her 22:39 and 7:39 for fifth.
Dublin’s Jacquie Nutter (41) ran 22:52 and finish with a 7:52 to place sixth. Columbus’ Cassie Cole (43) improved two spots from 2020 to finish seventh with her 23:21 and 8:21. Powell’s Marianne Flannery (44) ran 23:43 to record an eight place finish of 8:43. Blacklick’s Kelly Dixon (34) turned in a 24:00 to place ninth with her 9:00. Columbus’ Molly Disabato (57) returned to the top ten with her 24:02 and adjusted time of 9:02.
Columbus Running Company’s Andy Harris staff timed the event the past nine races after Jeff McGowan passed. Harris served as race director this year’s race with the help of his staff and volunteers. Matt McGowan and Tim Pancher the co race directors for the first twenty years served in an advisory capacity.