It felt as if all 2,500 runners gathering at the Golden Bear Club at the Muirfield Village Golf Club were smiling. We were all helping kick off the 50th Memorial Tournament under a perfect central Ohio sky on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Friends gathered and helped each other pin the bibs on the shirts as the perfect evening was about to unfold.  Families with strollers tended to the stroller occupants as they mentally prepared themselves for a run. Teenagers home for the summer greeted friends and middle-aged folks stretched on the curb. The announcers along with local dignitaries hyped the crowd and reminded us we were contributing to our local Children’s Hospital; an institution we hold dear yet hope to avoid.  

Ready, Set, Go…. and the crowd moved like a wave with excited cheerleaders calling out “Finish on the 18”. The winners in both the men’s and women’s division were homegrown athletes making the event even more exciting. The men’s winner was Samuel Ricchiuti, a Jerome graduate from Tartan Fields who attends Syracuse University. His record setting time was 19:17. The women’s winner was Katelyn McKown and her time was 24:42.  

Every age celebrated as they gleefully crossed the finish line at the beautiful 18 hole which was all groomed for the tournament. Muirfield resident Stephanie Gulau described the event as an “amazing race”. Gulau also noted the unique environment of the community coming together and being able to see the rare scenery of the golf course while giving back to Nationwide Children’s. “It’s a dream come true” she said.   Among the younger runners were Muirfield residents Lane Markwas (32:19) and Malia Knapp (33.21) from Marysville. For every age as well as every skill level, it was a celebration in Muirfield Village to remember.