It’s not every race where all the winners cross the finish line in a bathtub to a parade of cheering spectators — unless, of course, you attend the Geauga County Maple Festival’s Bathtub Races event.
It’s not every race where all the winners cross the finish line in a bathtub to a parade of cheering spectators — unless, of course, you attend the Geauga County Maple Festival’s Bathtub Races event.
Just how the races, held April 28, became an annual festival tradition remains unknown, but they continue to be a hometown crowd-pleaser.
The rules are two teams start behind traffic cones and race down to turn around another cone, and race back the same route in each heat for the double elimination contest.
The standard course runs about 250 yards down Main Street on Chardon Square and the course for the other two divisions — Women’s and Over 30 — is about 50 yards shorter.
It is no secret it’s all about the turns and the driver has the toughest job.
Youth and athleticism may also be giving current winners a competitive edge as Community Tub welcomed first place again this year in the top Men’s Division.
“It feels great to win first place again,” said Kevin Doyle, a 2020 Chardon High School graduate and current junior at John Carroll University. “To go out there and have fun with the city of Chardon makes it bigger than yourself. The event and culture of Chardon will always make it a special place.”
Chardon Smile returned, as well, taking first place in the Women’s Division and second places in the Main Event and Over 30 categories.
“Over the years, companies have recruited younger athletes,”said Jim McCaskey, longtime race organizer. “So, a couple years back, we added a new division of ’30 and Over’ something for the older crowd to race in and enjoy the competition and not get decimated by the high school track players.”
McCaskey said 25 years ago, he used to race and as they got older, they turned to organizing it.
Dr. Brian Titus, of Chardon Smile, said their continued success in the popular races was twofold.
“We have a really good tub and we have had some very good runners,” he said. “Same tub, same strategy, stick with what works.
“We were given this tub by a patient when we first moved into our Chardon office and I was told it has a very illustrious history of winning,” he added. “It’s only downfall is it’s heavier than most of the other tubs, but once you get it up to speed, it flies. Our runners are usually a mixed bag of staff, patients and community members. It looks fun and easy as an observer, but I can assure you it’s tougher than it looks.”
Titus had previously retired from pushing the tub, but said he keeps getting pulled back in.
“Our 30 and Over team is comprised of ‘92 Chardon grads,” Titus said. “We figured we’d see if we can still make a go of it as we hit our 50s. I’m the only veteran.”
Chardon Smile fielded three teams again this year, including Allen Morris, Derreon Malone, Armani Chiaponne and Owen Mckoon in the Main Event; Riley Ford, Grace Legan, Addy Novak and Jadyn Tarantino in the Women’s category; and Titus, Shannon Todd, David Bordelon and Jon Stapel for the Over 30 group.
“The tub race was a really exciting way to continue to display our competitive edge amongst not only our teammates, but teammates of another sport,” Tarantino said of the first-place Women’s team. “This was the seventh consecutive win for Chardon softball girls and we were proud to carry on the legacy during my senior year.”
McCaskey added the races are truly hometown fun at its finest.
“Where else can you go watch bathtubs being raced down Main Street,” McCaskey said.
Congratulations surrounded the festival stage following the races as all the winners posed for photographs.
“I do think that this, and the maple festival in general, is a highlight of being part of the Chardon community,” Titus said. “It’s so much fun and a great way to get out and about and see everyone.”
