2014 Festival Ironwood Walk, Run and Roll

The 2014 Festival Ironwood Walk, Run and Roll was held on Saturday, July 19 at Norrie Park.

• Jason Smith from Milwaukee, WI, was the top male finisher in the 2-mile event in a time of 10:42. 
• Jenna Magness, Lansing, MI, won the women’s 2-mile title in a time of 13:57.
• Paxson Menard, Poplar Grove, IL, was the 5-mile champion posting a time of 29:04. 
• Hannah Palmeter, Bessemer, was the overall female in the 5-mile event in a time of 32:02

Entrants for the race came from all over the United States and included a few international entrants.
Lukas and Samuel Schnyder and Melissa Johnson won the Longest Distance award, traveling over 8,000 miles from Johannesburg, South Africa, to compete.

It’s fun to see where entrants come from,” said race director, Chris Bergquist. “This year we had folks from Virginia, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Upper and Lower Michigan.”

Mallory Young, age 5, from Negaunee, MI, was the youngest entrant and Margaret Bull, Ironwood, was the senior entrant at age 86.

“The wide range of ages shows that this event is for all spectrums of the family,” said Bergquist. “Aspirus Grand View is the sponsor of this event and we gear this to be a healthy event that all family members can enjoy together.”

This year’s race was moved out to Norrie Park due to US2 being detoured along McLeod Avenue.
“I was not sure how moving to Norrie Park would affect the race,” said Chris Bergquist, race director. “As it turned out, the park was a great place to hold the event. I had a lot of positive comments about the flatter course and people were amazed at how beautiful it was out at Norrie Park.”

“I really want to thank all the volunteers who came out to help with the race,” said Bergquist. “The event could not happen without their volunteer efforts.”

Photos courtesy of Chris Bergquist .

Jason Smith and Jenna Magness took top honors in the 2-mile event

Paxson Menard and Hannah Palmeter won the 5-mile male and female events

Mallory Young, age 5, and Margaret Bull, age 86, were the youngest and oldest entrants

26th annual Bessemer Hometown Run

The 26th annual Bessemer Hometown Run was held Saturday, June 28 as part of the Bessemer Blast 2014 week long celebration.  Despite the hot and humid weather, 277 runners/walkers participated in the 10k run and 2 mile walk/run.   We had 213 2 mile participants and 64 10k participants.   It was another highly successful race and a great day to be a part of BESSEMER BLAST 2014.    Dave Rowe, teacher at A.D. Johnston High School as well as a race participant, and Madeline Gabka, an A.D. Johnston High School student,  kicked off the race with our National Anthem.

• Sam Dean, 17, of Ironwood, was the top  male 2 miler with a time of 11:21.
• Lilly Wieringa, 15, of Bessemer, was the top female 2 miler with a time of 14:55. 
• Andy Warren, 27, of Ironwood, was the top 10k male with a time of 35:23.  Andy’s time was a new record for the 25-29 year old age bracket. 
• Hannah Palmeter, 19, of Bessemer, was the top 10k female with a time of 39:56.   Hannah’s time is a new record for the 15-19 year old age bracket.
•  Matt Tingstad,38, of Bessemer,  was the top male in the Stroller Division with a time of 16:40.   This is Matt’s 2nd consecutive win.
• Sarah Oja, 32, of Grand Rapids, MN,  was the top female in the Stroller Division with a time of 26:09.

Full results are posted on the UPRRC website http://www.uprrc.org/2014-results.html

Ella Miljevich, of Rhinelander set an age group record in the 2 mile race with a time of 21:48  IN THE 5 & under age bracket.  Ironwood’s Terri Johnson set an age group record with a time of 17:28 in the 65-69 age group.   The Byrns family won the family with the largest number of participants prize.  They had 12 participants in the race!  This was the fifth year of the Tot Trot which is a mini-fun run for kids ages 0 to 8.  We had another great turnout for this event as well.  It is awesome to see the determination on the little one’s faces as they run this event!

I’d like to offer a HUGE THANK YOU to all the volunteers who help in any fashion with this race!!! Without you this event would not be the success that it is!  Your help is great appreciated.  Thank you to all the participants—you make the HOMETOWN RUN what it is!  I’d also like to thank our sponsors – Abelman Clothing and Footwear, Leather and Gift, and Kathy Whitburn (American Solutions for Business).

I would also like to thank Dairy Queen and Lac Vieux Desert Resort/Casino for donations to this event.  I LOOK FORWARD TO THE 27TH ANNUAL RACE!

Lori Bennetts
Race Director