MASTODON STAMPEDE RUN & WALK CLUB
CIRCA 1926
A prehistoric animal called a Mastodon was discovered in Johnstown, Ohio on August 12, 1926 by tenant farmer James Bailey on the farm of Mr. Friend Butt.
The skeleton of the mastodon now lives in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in Cleveland, Ohio.
The year 2026 marks 100 years since the Mastodon was discovered near the T.J. Evans Bike Trailhead in Johnstown.
We will celebrate the anniversary of this remarkable discovery!
The MASTODON RUN & WALK CLUB
Club participation is free. All you need to do is show up and get moving to improve your health and improve your stamina. We will do it together. No one treks alone.
We Trek on Mondays
6:15pm Walkers/6:30pm Runners
The 5K trek begins and ends at the business parking lot at the rear of 65 S. Main Street in Johnstown.
Routes will vary around town, designed by our Club Manager and Certified Run Coach, Ashley Kusner. You do not have to complete a 5K. Just come and do what you can to get moving. No one treks alone.
Everyone is invited to socialize afterwards at El Rey Mexican Restaurant at 65 S Main Street.
TRAIN WITH OUR CERTIFIED RUN COACH
Ashley Kusner, the Mastodon Stampede Run & Walk Club Manager is a certified Run Coach with Road Runners Club of America. She has a passion for helping people of all experience levels feel confident getting started—or getting back into—walking and running. Through the Mastodon Stampede Run & Walk Club, she is focused on building an inclusive, supportive community that meets people where they are, whether that’s a first walk around the block or training toward a new personal goal. Her coaching approach emphasizes consistency, injury prevention, and enjoyment, making movement accessible and sustainable for everyone.
Ashley has been running since 2017, beginning with her first 5K. Since then, she has progressed to longer distances and has completed races up to 50K. While she prefers the challenge and connection to nature that come with trail running, Ashley also values the friendships, accountability, and social connection that running with a club provides.
Contact Ashley at ashleykusner@johnstownlifestyle.org for questions about the Mastodon Stampede Run & Walk Club or for run & walk training questions.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
As we continue to shape the Mastodon Stampede Walk and Run Club, we want your input. Our survey is available to help us better understand what types of walks, runs, schedules, and programming would best support our community. Whether you’re an experienced runner, a casual walker, or simply considering getting started, your feedback will directly influence how the Mastodon Stampede Run & Walk Club grows in 2026.
EVENTS
LET’S TALK HEALTH
The LET’S TALK HEALTH program is a collaboration with local health experts and hospital providers where experts in their field periodically attend our run & walk club treks to share heath and disease prevention information.
The health talks are facilitated in a casual manner where the health expert shares health information while running or walking with the run & walk club members. After a brief presentation, participants can ask as many questions as they want to learn more about the particular subject or ask any health related questions
The mission is to educate and motivate our community members to take control of protecting and improving their health and longevity.
Our signature event, 5K LET’S TALK HEALTH, is held every fall at the Johnstown High School, Frank H. Chambers Stadium, offering our community a rare chance to run or walk on the beautiful track.
