There will be roughly 3,000 people "doing the hustle" Saturday, Aug. 10, running or walking in the 7K event.
Two hundred of those people are virtual participants, said Brian Polen, race director.
Mansfield and Richland County are already expecting a big crowd this same weekend for the 30th anniversary of " The Shawshank Redemption," filmed mostly at the Ohio State Reformatory and in and around North Central Ohio in the summer of 1993. Events are scheduled locally Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 8-11.
The race/walk starts at 8 a.m. at the historic Ohio State Reformatory, goes through downtown Mansfield and ends back at the reformatory off Ohio 545.
"So nearly 2,800 expected on race day in Mansfield," Polen said. "Forty-five states are represented as well as Mexico and Canada."
The filming of "The Shawshank Redemption" at the historic prison and at other sites throughout north central Ohio in 1993 has since attracted visitors worldwide to the prison-turned-museum in Mansfield. The prison is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Shawshank Hustle race course starts and finishes at OSR and covers 4.6 miles.
The route begins at OSR on Ohio 545, and follows (right) Longview Avenue, (left) Main Street, (left) North Park Street, to (left) Diamond Street, a right onto Longview and left onto Ohio 545 to OSR.
Jodie Snavely of Destination Mansfield said along the way participants will view and have opportunities to visit some of the film sites and get pictures or selfies of "cardboard cut outs" with some of the actors in "The Shawshank Redemption."
Shawshank life-size standup characters will be lined along Main Street from Fifth Street to Fourth Street. Snap a photo of your favorite Shawshank actor, Snavely said. "Photo ops available from a “Red” look-alike at Mansfield Antiques Gallery which was the pawn shop window that Red looked through at the compass that would help him find the oak tree. The after party will be at the Phoenix Brewing Company from 10 a.m. to 11p.m.
On the race route, participants will see sites that were part of the "Shawshank" scenery, including the Bissman building which served as The Portland Daily Bugle and Brewer Hotel; Mansfield Antiques Gallery which was the pawn shop window that Red looked through at the compass that would help him find the oak tree; Brooks' Bench where Brooks sits down on the bench in Central Park to feed the birds, hoping his friend Jake (his pet crow) will show up to say hello, but he never does, and the Ohio State Reformatory that in the film was known as Shawshank State Prison, the main filming site of "The Shawshank Redemption."
Shawshank Hustle perks and unique medal
Virtual participants will have fun too as they follow the route online. Some participants enjoy collecting the unique medals each year.
This year's finisher's medal, is the largest and most elaborate that organizers have ever done, Polen said. "It's a play on Andy's (Tim Robbins) Bible from the film. Even has a removable rock hammer," he added.
Participants also receive the following perks: Free admission to The Ohio State Reformatory (Valid through 2024 tour season), free ride on the Richland Carrousel (valid through 2024 season), free admission to Mansfield filming sites, electronic chip timing and on course hydration and Post-race food and chance for race awards.
In 2024 there are two parking options:
Free Parking: Off site Parking opens at 5 a.m. and will be in a surface lot located across Ohio 545 and will be accessible off of Fifth Ave. It will be a short walk from your car to the Start/Finish line. Parking attendants will provide direction (841 Fifth Ave, Mansfield, Ohio).
VIP parking: For a $10 donation to the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society (selected at checkout) you can park on The Reformatory grounds just steps from the action. Due to limited space, this option will be limited to the first 1,000 participants. VIP parking opens at 5 a.m. at Ohio State Reformatory 100 Reformatory Road.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Shawshank Hustle to attract 2,800 participants Aug. 10 to Mansfield
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