2008 Karner Blue 5K-10K-Half Marathon

One hundred twenty one runners participated in the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce’s 5K-10K-Half Marathon events Saturday, July 12.  The races began at
8 a.m. with a Kids Race held immediately following.

Medallions were presented for the first, second and third place finishes for the Kid’s Race. In the one to four year old category, winners were first place-Ethan DeGroot, second place-Charlie Schoen and third place-Raina Schoen. In the five to eight year old category, the first place winner was Benett Bucek, second place-Makayla Knuth, and third place-Nolan Bucek.

Medal presentations were also given for youth 12 and under. The winners of this age group for the 5K boys run were first place – John Roddick, 21:19, second place – Eric Deetz, 27:16, and third place – Sam Deetz, 27:16.  For 12 and under girls, first place-Hatti Bucek, 37:00, second place-Elizabeth Weiss, 37:12 and third place-Leanne Howell, 42:13.

Medallions were also presented for each race for the first and second place finishes for both men and women. The overall winners of the men’s 5K run were  first place – Wade Lambigtsen, 19:45; and second place – Brady Palmer, 19:54. Winners of the women’s 5K race were first place – Jaden Roddick, 20:34, and second place – Dannica Puente, 23:21. 

The winners of the men’s 10K event were first place – Pete Brueggen, 38:23; and second place Will Peasley; 40:43.  The winners of the women’s 10K event were first place-Vicki Bjerke, 49:41, and second place-Lacy Naud, 52.28

The winners of the men’s Half Marathon were first place – Christopher Gates, 1:35:53; and second place-Mike Roddick; 1:40:47.  The winners of the women’s Half Marathon were first place-Misty Shawn Brown, 1:43:47, and second place-Leslie Guttenberg, 1:43:48.

With tough competition from corporate teams from Tomah Memorial Hospital and Ho-Chunk Nation, River Country Fitness took home the 10K Corporate Team Trophy for the third year in a row.  Team runners were Toni Gasch, Pete Voss, Will Peasley, Kelsey Peterson and Pete Brueggen.  Tammy Strandberg, owner of River Country Fitness stated, “I am very pleased and proud of my group of runners.  They have worked very hard to run this race and honored that the team once again brought home this years’ trophy.”

The Ho-Chunk Youth Marathon Runners against Drunk Drivers (RADD) operated a water station at the Chamber office and sponsored the Kid’s Race this year.  RADD organizer and race committee member Lani Blackdeer stated, “It was really great to help with the planning and execution of such a great event.” “The kids were so excited to have an event of their own to participate in and we hope to increase the number of youth participants next year,” Blackdeer said.

Burnstad’s Market, Holiday Inn Express and Kwik Trip donated refreshments that the runners really appreciated following the race.  Ripp Distributing donated water and Band Box Cleaners donated Gatorade at stations along the race route managed by representatives from Black River Child Care Center-Fit Families,  Black River Chiropractic Clinic, Black River Memorial Hospital, Edward Jones, Gaier Construction, Rural Insurance, Wal-Mart Super Center, Waumandee State Bank, and Western Technical College.

Race committee chair, Joe Williams was pleased with the results of the fourth annual race.  He stated, “Each year the participation increases and we knew by adding the Half Marathon to the event line up we would have more runners.”  “The Chamber enjoys partnering with the organizers of the Karner Blue Butterfly Festival combining the race with the other activities planned throughout the day.” Williams thanked all of the runners, volunteer workers, donors and Chamber staff that helped make the 4th Annual Karner Blue Race the best one yet.

Download the Karner Blue Marthon Poster (PDF)

Congratulations to all the participants of the Karner Blue Marathon.
View or download the results here.

Proceeds from the event will be used toward a number of community projects. For more information, contact the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce at (715) 284-4658.