October 6, 2014 at 3:51 p.m.
First annual Nutty Run draws outdoor enthusiasts to CAVOC
First annual Nutty Run draws outdoor enthusiasts to CAVOC
By Kayla Thomason-
"It was different, it was the first trail run I've ever done," racer Bret Dunlap said.
There were 63 participants who ran the 5K through the hilly, muddy terrain at the Cedric A. Vig Outdoor Classroom (CAVOC) Saturday.
"This is a lot harder but it's a lot more fun actually," Dunlap said. "It has a lot of great views and everything like that and you also have to take a short stride and run flat-footed because the terrain is slippery."
Mike Messerli, the second-place finisher, said he was six minutes off his normal pace due to the mud.
"[The Nutty Run] was a blast, it was very hilly," he said.
Runners enjoyed the fall foliage, the bursts of fiery color, as they made their way through the course.
"It was gorgeous." There were a lot of yellows and you come to little clearings and then back into a tunnel of orange and red it was pretty cool."
Skylar Mahner, 13, took third place. He was the youngest participant in the race. It was his first time running a 5K and he enjoyed it.
"I was in cross country for a while and I wanted to see if I could do a full three miles," he said.
All three participants plan to run in next year's Nutty Run.
Dunlap said no matter where he places in a race he feels a sense of accomplishment because he crossed the finish line.
The race was developed after officials at the YMCA of the Northwoods began discussing organizing a run that would pay homage to the Northwoods.
"We really thought about something that was true to the Northwoods so we felt that a trail run was that," said BillieJo Santy, wellness coordinator and youth coordinator at the YMCA. "We debated doing another summer run but the colors are so beautiful right now."
"We started this run thinking that it would be great," added interim CEO Laurie Schlitt. "There's not a trail run in the area, and it was really important for us to do something outside the box and so we thought with the colors and fall we have a beautiful area and we'd like to take advantage of it."
Registration fees covered the cost of hosting the event.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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