QUICK KIDS — The top three finishers in the 400-meter kids’ run at the 2nd Annual Harvest Run for Hunger Sept. 17 were, from left, Kyle Swearingen, third; Morgan Raymond, second; and Corey Johnson, first. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Ron Knutson organized the 2nd Annual Harvest Run For Hunger, which started at 7 on Saturday morning, Sept. 17. Once again, the event was hosted by Zion Lutheran, St. Paul's Lutheran, First Lutheran of Hope and Pontoppidan Lutheran churches. It benefited food shelf programs in Ellendale, New Richland, Waseca and Owatonna.
A total of eight kids were registered for the kids’ run, 51 registered for the 4K walk and 48 registered for the 7K run.
Casey Johnson was the first across the finish line in the 400-meter kids’ run. Morgan Raymond was second, followed by Kyle Swearingen and Sidney Schultz. Casey also went on to participate in the 7K race.
The next event was the 4K walk, which is equivalent to 2.5 miles. The walkers were transported to the Town Hall where they began their race. Anna Pollock sang the National Anthem before the walkers were sent on their way. Kinzee Williams of Owatonna was the first walker to reach the finish line, followed by Kaden Nelson of New Richland and Mikayla Dinse of Owatonna.
The 7K race was from Zion Lutheran Church to Pontoppidan. Again, Pollock sang the National Anthem. Matt Arthur, Ellendale, was also in attendance and sang several songs as the runners passed by his brother Jim Arthur’s farm.
T.J. Schiltz, rural Hartland, didn't even look tired when he crossed the finished line first in 25:42. Schiltz also won the event last year. It was announced that he took 2 minutes, 15 seconds off his time from last year. Larry Schroeder was second at 30:34.
The first girl to cross the finished line was 14-year-old Megan Nowariak of Owatonna. She, along with her brothers, Eric, 20, and Joseph, 22, all participated in the 7K run. Their mother, Chris, and her sisters, Valerie Schember and Laurie Dahlin, participated in the 4K walk.
Roger Krause served as announcer. He said the Ellendale Food Shelf had helped feed 1,239 adults, 1,427 children, and 255 seniors. He also stated that 1,976 backpacks had been filled with 5,238 pounds of food for the kids. In addition, 37,496 pounds of food had been donated to 411 households for a total of 42,739 pounds.
If you were unable to attend and would like to give a monetary donation to the local food shelves, you may send your donation to Harvest Run For Hunger, P.O. Box 64, Hope, MN 56046.
