Badour, Peterson Earn Dogwood Titles

Submitted by the Dogwood 5k Run race directors

Alan Peterson of Ironwood successfully defended his overall male title at the Dogwood 5K Run and 2 Mile Walk in Saxon on Sunday, June 29, while Ewen’s Jamie Badour won the women’s title.

Peterson won the men’s race in 16:28, breaking his own 15 – 19 record from a year ago. Peterson also won the John Jarvi Memorial 5K Run in May and the Bessemer Hometown 2 Mile Run on Saturday. The men’s course record was set in 2006 by Ryan Holm with a time of 15:51.

Badour won the women’s race with a time of 21:07. Badour also has had a very good running season so far, winning the John Jarvi Memorial 10K Run and finishing second overall in the Bessemer Hometown 10K Run. The women’s course record was set in 1999 by Sare Holewinski with a time of 20:12.

Two other age group records were set this year. Ben Cogger of Washburn set the 20 – 29 age group record with a time of 16:40, and Emmi Gregor of Bessemer set the 60 – 69 age group record with a time of 32:12.

“This is the first time in the Dogwood’s history that we had two runners finishing under 17 minutes,” said Race Director Mark Massoglia. “Our 5K field was extremely strong this year.”

The Doug and Sue Anderson family of Saxon won the Family Participation trophy with five participants.

The 2008 Dogwood 5K Run and 2 Mile Walk had a total of 119 participants.

“I want to thank all our volunteers for their hard work, especially with the bad weather before the start of the race,” said Massoglia.

Massoglia also wants to thank the Saxon-Gurney Lions Club for presenting the event and the following sponsors: Giacomino Trucking, Anna B. Rose Kennels, Bob Rowe and & Sons Construction, Custom Slashing Short Wood Processing, Frontier Bar and Campgrounds, Saxon Pub, Inc., Dale Ofstad & Sons Forest Products, Sharon Ofstad’s Catering, Rowe’s Auto Body, Northland Accounting Services, and Munch’s Bear Trap Inn.

The Knife River Solstice Walk/Run took place yesterday at 10am at the Knife River Rec Hall. The course was a 5k route on paved roads with a small portion on gravel. The weather was warm and sunny. Mike Benchina was the overall winner with a time of 16:19 and Kathleen Monaghan was the women's winner (third overall) with a time of 17:44.

Scott Behling was second overall with a time of 16:51. Scott prefers flat courses so the hilly route did not play to his strengths, but he managed to match Mike Benchina stride for stride for the first half of the race. Scott is a 2008 Duluth East graduate and plans on attending LSC this fall to get some general credits in. He would like to transfer to a 4-year school at some point to get a science-based major and run track and cross-country.

Kathleen Monaghan, the women's winner, enjoys this race, having run it 3-4 times previously. Kathleen grew up in a small town in Montana and likes the small-town atmosphere she sees at the Knife River race. Kathleen is having a good running season so far in 2008, placing 12th in the women's division at Grandma's Marathon with a PR time of 2:53:18. Kathleen also plans on running the New York City Marathon with her brother this fall.

Ken Thiemann was the fan favorite, running the race in a motorcycle helmet and hockey gloves. A longtime runner, Ken took a few years off to build a house and is getting back into racing this year. If you are contemplating running a race on a warm day in a motorcycle helmet, Ken does not recommend it, equating it to trying to play a game of hockey against Gretzky and the 1985 Oilers and not having any subs. Ken would like to run the Whistlestop Marathon this fall.

Karen and Mark Zwolenski made the trip up from Northfield for the race. Karen and Mark are six-year veterans of Grandma's Marathon but were unable to make it this year due to a family event. They enjoy spending time in the Northland though, so they came up this weekend, stayed at Larsmont Cottages, and ran the Knife River race. Mark ran the Boston Marathon and would like to run the Moose Mountain Marathon this fall.

UPDATE (7/8/2008): Results now available 

Pictures courtesy of M.S. Kapoor

There are opportunities coming up to help maintain portions of the Superior Hiking Trail. Thanks to Lisa Messerer for pointing out this excellent way for us runners to give back to the trails we enjoy so much. Tools and equipment are provided. Bring close-toed shoes, water, and snacks.

Wed 6/25
Meet at Becks Road crossing 10:00am. 24 feet of boardwalk and trail whipping and pruning to Fond du Lac.

Mon 6/30

Meeting place to be determined. Trail whipping and pruning 27th Ave W to Haines Road.

Tues 7/1 and Wed 7/2

Trail whipping and pruning to be determined.

For more information or to volunteer contact Larry Sampson at LBSampson@msn.com.

More about the Superior Hiking Trail and trail maintenance: SHT Website - Trail Maintenance Work Projects.

The Pather Pant 5k took place Friday night at the Cathedral School in Superior. Ninety-four runners and walkers competed in the 5k race to raise funds for Cathedral School's Spanish Program. The race course consisted of a loop through Superior's residential streets. The loop was just over a mile long, and participants did the loop three times. Luckily, Friday's rain held off once the race started, although racers did have to battle stiff winds along part of the course. Michael Benchina won the men's race with a time of 16:14, and Katie Koskie won the women's race in 17:58.

The Northwoods running team had a good showing, sweeping the top three places in the men's race and the top place in the women's race. Besides Michael and Katie, teammates Jarrow Wahman and Jess Koski also participanted. Jarrow was the second male in 17:29, and Jess was the third male in 19:12. Jarrow, the Northwoods captain, helped out his team by alerting Michael when Michael missed a turn in the first half mile of the race. Jarrow was also considerate enough to let Michael win by a minute and fifteen seconds.

Jon Delf finished fifth overall with a time of 19:36. A dentist in Rice Lake, Jon was in town for the weekend and decided to participate in the race. Jon is getting back into racing shape after taking a vacation to Egypt, which, while interesting and relaxing, did not present itself with many running opportunities. Jon is a dentist in Rice Lake and also the cross-country coach at Rice Lake High School. Jon's goal this year is to run the Living History Farm's Off-Road Race in November.

Erin Walpole, age 7, completed the course in 31:16. This was her first 5k and the farthest she has ever run. Erin trained a little bit for the race and felt good for the most part.

Sarah Honeyager and Nina Van Ert ran the race for the first time. Sarah's time was 27:43 and Nina finished in 32:27. Sarah and Nina were part of a YMCA group that participanted in the event. Both runners appreciated the cooling effect of the wind and large amount of fan support along the course.

Race director Michelle Vinoski said the proceeds of the race will help support Cathedral School's Spanish Program. The program started a few years ago on a part-time basis and has grown into a quite popular full-time program. This is the fourth year of the race. Not to be left out, Michelle participated in the race herself, finishing with a time of 38:55.

Race Results: 2008 Cathedral School Panther Pant Results

Pictures courtesy of M.S. Kapoor

Pictures from tonight's Magney-Snively Run, the sixth and final race in the NMTC Spring Trail Series.

Pictures courtesy of Jen Bergum