The year was 1977, and that summer, “Star Wars” exploded onto the big screen and changed movies forever. Months earlier, “Rocky” — the big hit of 1976 — won the Oscar for best picture. The film made the character Rocky Balboa a household name, made us all love the underdog, and perhaps i nspired a country to head outside for a Jog. In 1977, the first-ever Johnnycake Jog took place on Aug. 28 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Painesville. Most likely, there were “short” shorts and wild hairdos everywhere. News-Herald fileThe trophies from the first News-Herald Johnnycake Jog are shown in the Aug. 23, 1977 edition. (News-Herald file) That’s because it was a decade for garish colors, over-the-top looks and the freedom to dress however one liked. That was five decades ago. But the Johnnycake Jog is bringing back the 1970s for what will be a months-long celebration of the 50th running of “Ohio’s Finest 5-Miler.” The race also includes a 5K run, and both are set for July 12 at the Fairgrounds. The Jog itself marks its golden anniversary, so naturally those involved are getting started early on the fun. “Dust off your bell bottoms and lace up those running shoes — it’s time to get groovy at this far-out 5 Mile 5K race!,” says the race description for the 50th anniversary on the Jog’s web site. “Inspired by the free-spirited vibes of the 1970s, this event is all about peace, love, good energy, and even better miles. Whether you’re cruising through the 5K or going the distance in the 5-miler, you’ll be running on waves of flower-power fun.” In honor of 50 years of the Jog, race director Bill Denison — who doubles as Mentor’s cross country and track and field distance coaches — and his staff are starting the countdown to July with 1970s prices for Jog registration. For the remainder of February, those signing up for the Jog will pay 1970s price of $10, a big savings of the usual $40 sign-up fee during race week. “We really wanted to do something fun for 50 years of the Jog, and we wanted to get the excitement started early,” said Denison. The $10 sign-up price increases after Feb. 28 at 11:59 p.m. — but only incrementally. Johnnycake Jog all-time results, best times through 2025 A rundown of prices for each month leading up to July 12: • February will celebrate the 1970s with a $10 registration fee. • March will celebrate the 1980s with a $15 registration fee. • April will celebrate the 1990s with a $20 registration fee. • May will celebrate the 2000s with a $25 registration fee. • June will celebrate the 2010s with a $30 registration fee. • Early July will celebrate the 2020s with a $35 registration fee. All prices include a shirt and 50th medal. As for the lead-up to July 12, Denison said "an overall 70s vibe" will be the focus, and why not? A good start might be celebrating the late Farrah Fawcett, one of the most iconic pop culture figures of the 1970s, when the jogging fad began. "Short" shorts were popularized by Fawcett when she wore them on TV as the star of the iconic series "Charlie's Angels." It’s not uncommon to still see short shorts in today’s runners world. But in 1977, it was short shorts mania. A dress store manager quoted in a 1977 News-Herald story about well-dressed runners said at the time demand for short shorts was so great “they can’t be kept in stock fast enough.” Short shorts were such a fad in the '70s that, leading up to the first Jog in late August of '77, runners kept asking where they could change into their short shorts when they arrived. The News-Herald wrote in a story leading up to the race that informed runners there would be no “special dressing rooms” for changing. There you have it ... the 1970s. Johnnycake Jog What: 50th running of "Ohio's Finest 5-miler" When: July 12 Where: Lake County Fairgrounds, Painesville Registration: runsignup.com/Race/OH/Painesville/JohnnycakeJog5Milerand5K ...read more read less