GALION — Many parts of the Galion community came together last week to make Galion’s Cross Country Festival a success. More than 4,000 runners and thousands of racing fans or family were in Galion last weekend, for the event at Amann Reservoir.
Throughout last week, the Galion’s Service Department mowed and filled in uneven ground with dirt and bleachers and picnic tables were hauled.
“We also spent extra time weed whipping out there. Our focus was making the park look nice, not only to help the school but to also show visitors how Galion takes care of its parks,” Service Department Superintendent Al Baker said.
On the day of the event the Galion Police Department had officers on hand, and the Galion Fire and EMS Department had an ambulance there.
“It takes an awful lot of people to make this happen. We were very appreciative of all the help. The city was fantastic and we couldn’t have an event of that size without their help,” meet director Ken Jarvis said.
In addition to the aide received from the city, deputies from the Crawford Country Sheriff’s Office helped direct traffic on Ohio 309 and more than 20 students from Pioneer Career and Technology Center’s criminal justice program helped with traffic flow.
The American Red Cross provided a medical tent, where athletic trainers and an orthopedic surgeon from Avita Health System helped tend to injured runners. Jarvis said no major injuries were sustained. Avita was also the sponsor of the festival.
Other sports teams, clubs and parents helped with parking and at the finish line shoot. Pizza Hut handled concession stand operations, which Jarvis said it has done for about five years. Sycamore Creek provided golf carts for race officials and to be used as shuttles.
The total number of visitors to the park were 15,000-18,000, according to estimates by school officials.
“People I spoke to were really positive of the event, the course and how nice the town is,” Jarvis said. He also thanked the neighbors around Amann for being supportive of the event over the years.
