With 1,350 Runners, Ambulance Chase Breaks Its Own Record

Under blue sky and sun, nearly 1,350 participants came together at Lakewood Park on Sunday at the 11th Annual Ambulance Chase in support of patient care at Lakewood Hospital.  The near-perfect weather added to the record crowd and success of the event.  5K participants- ranging in age from 6 to 77- came from all over Ohio and as far away as New York and Indiana. The 5K winners were Ross Lenehan from Youngstown with a time of 15:42 and Rocky River’s Debra Leitch with a time of 20:33.  There were 26 teams of 20 or more with Team Pfahl being the largest having 69 on their team.

Donald Martens & Sons Ambulance Services once again partnered with Lakewood Hospital Foundation to host the 5K Race/Walk & 1 Mile Walk, something they have done all 11 years. “It is because of their generosity, and that of many other sponsors, that the event continues to be such a success,” notes Race co-chair Chas Geiger.

More than $65,000 was raised, with net proceeds benefiting Lakewood Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services as well as several other hospital programs. With this year’s event, the Ambulance Chase has generated nearly $400,000 in support of service augmentation and acquisition of equipment that enriches patient care at Lakewood Hospital.

“This event is great!  Me and my kids had a blast,” stated James Young of Rocky River. “We came last year for the first time and will keep coming back.”

Save the date for next year’s event- May 5, 2013.