12/03/2025
Meet the Fridenmakers
They wore bib numbers 62 and 63, and joined the Turkey-Wanis 5K late Thanksgiving morning. Mari and husband Steve Fridenmaker (their last name means “peace maker” in German) from Columbus were on their way to visit family in Avon Lake for the holiday.
“Despite the fact that we were late, the Turkey-Wanis ladies checking us in were welcoming, friendly and helpful,” said Mari, who is a remote-working Professional Development Insurance Trainer for a company based in North Carolina. Steve, a physical therapist with Mt. Carmel Hospital in Columbus, added, “Even one of the guys who manned the water station cheered us on, knowing that we were late starters.”
Despite lateness, Steve finished first in the 50-to-59 age category.
Mari and Steve are on a mission to run 5Ks in all 88 counties of Ohio. Lorain County is their 11th thus far. Physical activity has always been a priority for them, with long-distance runs, cycling and hiking. Mari, however, suffered physical injuries a few years back, so she and her husband re-examined their running plans.
“We now have parameters,” said Mari. “We want to race in small towns, we want the race to benefit charities, and we want to pay $25 per person or less. We learned that 75 percent of local races don’t support charities and can charge up to $40 per person. So many people do races if there’s a lot of ‘bling’ and media exposure,” the good-hearted runner added.
“We were also impressed by Terry (Mazzone), president of the Wellington Kiwanis, the number of kids attending, the signs at every 5K turn, a bathroom! and the fact that the race finished at the Wellington High School Football Stadium track. We also loved the beanies. We have enough t-shirts from 5Ks and they’re a pain,” said Mari.
Where are the Fridenmakers heading next on their Ohio mission? Want to give them ideas from your home town? Message them on our Facebook post!
