Churchills donate to improve planned Perrysburg High School track

Walt Churchill and his wife, Lois, announce the donation to Perrysburg Schools for a high school track.
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Walt Churchill, the owner of Walt Churchill's Market on Dixie Highway in Perrysburg, and his wife Lois are donating money to Perrysburg Schools to build a track facility at Perrysburg High School.

“With the leadership and generosity of Lois and Walt Churchill, pillars of our Perrysburg Community, we are proud to announce that this will be a top-notch track and field facility that will draw teams from around the region,” said Superintendent Tom Hosler.

The district had planned to build a basic track at the high school, using money from a levy passed by voters, but the donation announced today by the Churchills will improve the type of facility that can be done. The amount of the donation wasn’t immediately disclosed.

Mr. Hosler, a runner and former track coach, added: “Walt Churchill has done so much for this sport and to be able to recognize him and his legacy in this way is an honor for Perrysburg Schools.”

A rendering of the track facility to be installed at Perrysburg High School.
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Jarman Davis, president of the Perrysburg school board, said, “Public-private partnerships like this are a great model of how we can provide our students with the best opportunities.”

Mr. Churchill is an avid runner, including running the Boston Marathon 22 years in a row. He is one of the founders of Toledo Road Runners Club, which began the Glass City Marathon in 1971. Walt Churchill Jr. and his son, Walt Churchill III, were among the first local finishers of that first race.

The Churchill's Half Marathon is the second oldest race in Ohio, and is one of the oldest half marathons in the country. This year, the 48th Annual Churchill's Half Marathon will be held Nov. 14, starting at Perrysburg High School and ending at the Shops at Fallen Timbers in Maumee.