The Seventh Annual Freedom 5k Fun Run was held Sunday, July 3 in St. Germain. The event was started in 2005 in an effort to raise money for the new St. Germain Bike and Hike trail. Last week, race officials presented a check to the Bike and Hike Committtee in the amount of $5,400.00. This represents the largest single donation in the history of the event, bringing the seven year total to $16,082.00. Funds raised in this year’s event will be used for signage and grass seed for the recently completed Phase II section of the trail.
In addition to a record-breaking donation, course records and participation records were also shattered on race day, with 295 participants representing 17 states and at least three foreign countries. Top male finisher was Brian Begalke of Chicago, IL with a new course record of 16:33. The first female across the finish line was Sylvia Bedford of Fairview, UT, setting a new women’s record of 19:37. Trophies were awarded to the top overall male and female finishers, with medals going to the top three in each of eight age categories.
The 1-kilometer kids’ run, for children up to age 12, saw an increase in participation from 18 runners in 2010 to 66 for the 2011 event. Children ran through the short course along with Uncle Sam and an American Eagle, and received ribbons and other prizes at the end of the race. A tie for first place in the boys’ division went to Ty Gerstenberger of Tomahawk and Jake O’Hara of St. Charles, IL; Nicole Cullen of Oxford, IA won the girls’ division.
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Race officials and gold sponsors met on the new section of the trail recently to present a check in the amount of $5,400.00 to Mark Hiller, Bike and Hike Trail Committee Chairman. Making the presentation were: Kelly, Andrew, and Matthew McGill (Gold sponsors and race volunteers), Amy Gauthier (representing Marshfield Clinic), Anne Small (St. Germain Chamber of Commerce), Mark Hiller, Alan Albee (Eagle Waste and Recycling), and Amy and Laura Reuling, Assistant Race Directors. |

Event sponsors are as follows:
GOLD SPONSORS: Eagle Waste and Recycling, Marshfield Clinic, St. Germain Chamber of Commerce and the Mc Gill family.
SILVER SPONSORS: Pick 'n Save,
Waldmann Construction
BRONZE SPONSORS: Eagle Falls Adventure Golf,
First National Bank,
Lake of the Torches Resort Casino,
St. Germain Fish & Wildlife Club,
St. Germain Lioness,
St. Germain Womens Service Club,
Whispering Pine Lodge.
The Eighth Annual Freedom 5k is scheduled for Sunday, July 1, 2012. |