June 29, 2015 at 4:59 p.m.
Hundreds attend Hodag Run for Your Life
Hundreds attend Hodag Run for Your Life
By Kayla Thomason-
"I think (the Hodag Run is) wonderful," said Laurie Schlitt, CEO of the YMCA of the Northwoods. "It's beautiful weather and we're really excited to have everyone come downtown Rhinelander."
Onlookers dotted portions of the race course, cheering on the participants and giving them encouragement.
Volunteers took their post at the finish line, ready to hand out bottles of chilled water as the racers came down the homestretch.
Leading the pack was Reuben Frey. The Tomahawk racer finished the 5K in 16 minutes and 42 seconds. This was his fifth year participating in the race.
"It was hot, it was hard, but I mean it's a good time, fun time," Frey said. "I like (the Hodag Run). There's a decent amount of competition, a lot of people from different areas and it's family fun, it's got a good atmosphere."
Coming in second was Dan Reigh of Green Bay with a time of 17:26.
"If you're a runner this is great," he said. "This is beautiful weather, it was a little hot out but when you have people cheering it makes it that much better."
Reigh thinks it's a great race.
The first female to cross the finish line for the 5K was Alyssa Price with a time of 19:10. She is a Rhinelander resident who has participated in this race a few times.
"It's a great feeling (placing in the race)," Price said. "I love that it's a race in my hometown and I can come back after being graduated from high school and show my Hodag pride."
She said she enjoys the Hodag Run and is pleased to participate.
"It's a great race, I'd recommend it for anyone of all ages," she said.
Larry Lapachin has competed in the race numerous times and placed second in the 10K male division at 37:18.
"I like it a lot," Lapachin said. "This is the race I've run the most in the last 10 years, by far. What I like most about the race is when you finish you know about half of the people here and it's very nice to visit and talk about the race (and catch up)."
Coming in with a time of 44:47 was Elizabeth Johnson who placed second in the women's 10K.
This was her first time competing in the race. She is from Minnesota.
"It's really well organized, really marked out well with the miles and water," she said. "(The Hodag Run is) really fun. Rhinelander's such a great town."
New this year was the Corporate Cup. The business with the most participants to finish was dubbed the winner. This year the title went to Superior Diesel.
Adults and older children weren't the only ones running.
A crowd of eager young children locked onto their target and pursued the Hodag around the courthouse to the finish line.
"(The Hodag Run is) a good time, it's a half a mile right around the courthouse," said Jenny Chiamulera, organizer for Chase the Hodag.
Kiwanis sponsored the Chase the Hodag and donated the T-shirts.
The design for this year's shirts was created by Bella Newlin, winner of the Hodag Run Creative Art Contest.
"I just want to thank our sponsors and our members and participants because without them we wouldn't be here today," Schlitt said.
All proceeds from the race benefit the YMCA of the Northwoods.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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