Spring-like Weather Sets Stage for Heritage Run by Gerrie Gustafson
Mother Nature smiled kindly on the OSF Heritage Run Sunday, April 27, when the predictions of rain and snow never materialized. Although a bit chilly with some wind, the weather worked in the runners’ favor as some excellent times were run.
In the 10 kilometer, Brent Alexander, 27, Chicago, finished first in a time of 31:52, the 11th best time in Heritage Run history which dates from1985. The record is held by Julius Mwangi who ran 28:49 in 2001.
Mike Egle, 46, of Glenview, finished second overall and as the first master’s runner in 34:18, the third best master’s time since 1998 when master’s awards were first given in the Heritage Run. The best master’s time was 31:50 run by Steve Winchel in 1999. Egle holds the second best master’s time of 33:30 run last year.
Also finishing on top in the 10k were Tony Teunissen, 31, Belvidere, in 34:34, and Randy Ebert, 23, also of Belvidere, in 35:25.
Bethany Brewster, 28, of Madison, Wisconsin, finished as the first 10k woman and fifth overall, in 36:40, the fifth best female time in the Heritage Run. The record is held by Lorraine Masuoka of 35:45 run in 2001. Second female 10k finisher was Olivia Aronda, 28, Rockford, in 38:24, followed closely by Shannon Fitzgerald, 25, Rockford, in 38:28. The female master’s winner was Doreen Groshan, 45, Janesville, Wisconsin, in 40:40, the second best female master’s time in Heritage history. The best female master’s time was run in 1999 by Ann Hanson in 38:22.
The top three and top master’s female and male winners shared in the award money of $1300.
The two-mile race was won by Tom Lichty, 45, Monroe Center, in 11:51. Adam Seiter, 14, Rockford, was second overall in 6:06, followed by Philip Nordgren, 10, Kirkland in 13:00.
Cheri Wilson, 37, Poplar Grove, was the female finisher in 13:14. Following Cheri were Leah Rafferty, 14, Machesney Park, in 13:20 and Mirando Goen, 13, Belvidere, in 13:22. This top male and female finishers provided a great showing of our young running talent.
The relatively nice weather also brought out a good crowd of runners with many registering Sunday morning to bring total participation to 450. Proceeds from the race benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of the YMCA of Rock River Valley.
A race of this size requires a large number of volunteers. Thanks go to Big Brothers Big Sisters, YMCA, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, OSF Medical Group and of course the Rockford Road Runners for supplying the enthusiastic helpers.
Major sponsor of the event is OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. Other sponsors include OSF Health Plans, Holmstrom & Kennedy, Northwest Bank, Suby Von Haden, Woodward, Rockford Road Runners and Cream City Scale. Media sponsors were 13 WREX and 97ZOK. In-kind services were provided by the City of Rockford (Cyndie Hall), Rockford Public Works Department, Rockford Police Department, Kings Table, Rockford Area Amateur Radio Operators, Stewart Square, Rock Valley Culligan (special thanks to Dave Hallman), Great Harvest, and Hilander in Roscoe.
Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the OSF Heritage Run which is scheduled for Sunday, April 26.
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