The 2nd Annual Cloquet River Run took place on Saturday, September 26th.  The event consisted of 1-mile and 5k races and was a fund raiser for Churchill Elementary School.  The proceeds from the races will be used to fund Churchill's new playground and technology upgrades.

Dave Hyöppönen (17:08) and Jody Zeleznikar (20:14) captured the male and female 5k titles.  Nick Shultz (5:15) and Jessica Stone (7:05) won the male and female 1-mile divisions.

Dave Hyöppönen, the male 5k winner, ran the race for the first time.  Dave ran in close contention with 2nd place finisher Randy Wiinanen before pulling ahead in the last mile. Last weekend Dave posted an even faster 5k time, running 16:28 at the Norse Course 5k and setting his PR.  This summer Dave focused his training on shorter distances in order to prepare for the Minnesota Mile in September, which he ran in 4:47. Dave's next goal is to run the Whistlestop Half Marathon in October.

Jody Zeleznikar, the female 5k winner, enjoyed the scenery of the course along the Saint Louis River.  An assistant cross-country coach at Cloquet High School, Jody participated in the race to support running in the Cloquet area.  Besides running, Jody enjoys training for triathlons and duathlons.  This summer she competed in the Timberman, Brewhouse, and Burrito Union 5-Hour triathlons.

Several athletes from the Kokusai Boxing Academy ran the 5k, using it as a cross-training experience.  The athletes are mostly Cloquet High School students and are training for their first boxing match this fall.  Coach Steven Inyan Mata was happy the race gave his pupils a chance to cross train and support the community at the same time.

Complete results are available at the race website and Northland Runner:

• Cloquet River Run 5k Results
• Cloquet River Run 1-Mile Results

Rolling Stone, the third race of the Fall NMTC Series, took place on Wednesday, September 16th.  Results are available here.  Congratulations to Jakob Wartman, Leslie Semler, Samantha Carlson, and Katee Rosberg, whose times qualified for the Rolling Stone Best Times List.

Pictures submitted by Eve Stein.

Submitted by Jim Engel.

RISKE, NORKEL, JUNTUNEN WIN WAKEFIELD MARATHON

Hot.  Extremely hot to be precise.  Eighty degree temperatures greeted the runners at the 4th Annual First National Bank of Wakefield Marathon on Saturday, September 12th. 

"We've had ideal temperatures for the previous three marathons here in Wakefield," race director Jim Engel said, "but today was brutally hot for running 26.2 miles.  When the runners from Georgia tell you it's too hot, IT'S TOO HOT!"

Doug Riske (58, Athens, WI) successfully defended his 2008 title by saving his best for last.

"My last lap (the race circles Sunday Lake nine and a half times) was my fastest for the race.  Under twenty minutes," the winner said.  "We're getting slower but the other options are worse," he said of his 3:42.34 winning effort.

Riske has a personal best of 2:28 for the marathon distance.

Kathie Norkol (35, Superior, WI) won the women's race in 4:44.42.

"It was too warm but you can't do anything about that," she said.  "I thought it was a real nice course.  I didn't pay any attention to the miles which made it easier.  The awards and T-shirt were great and the food afterwards was fantastic!" 

Handcyclist Dean Juntunen (49, Mass City) was as fast as it was hot covering the 26.2 miles in 1:47.51. 

Engel said, "Dean just keeps gettin' faster and faster.  He's been here all four years and each year his time gets faster.  The rest of us must be doin' something wrong because we keep getting slower.  He had a real nice race." 

Jim Waters, 52, Ontonagon, the 2006 winner was second in 3:45.23.

In third place was the world age group (60-64) record holder at 24 hours, Roy Pirrung (61, Kohler, WI) in 3:50.56.  This past October Pirrung set the age group world record as well as three American records along the way, running 133 miles in 24 hours.  He also owns the U.S. records at 100 miles and twice at 24 and 48 hours.  He is undefeated in age group competition at 24 hours and has three top 4 finishes at Greece's Spartathion (155 miles) and the American Masters course record.  Pirrung was 10th in his age group at this years BAA Boston Marathon in 3:14. 

"This was the first of six weekend marathons in a row before the Door County 50 miler," Pirrung said.  "I've run hundreds of loop courses and I liked the Wakefield course.  And the awards and T-shirt are really cool.  I'd definitely come back."

"Roy is amazing," Engel said.  "He's 61 years young and doing things physically others half his age can only dream about.  His average race distance this year is an incredible 86.4 miles!  It was a privilege and honor to have him run here in Wakefield." 

Bill Sved (61, Marquette) said," It was a very friendly, up-beat group of runners and volunteers.  But it was way too hot!" 

This was Sved's 4th Wakefield marathon and 185th overall.  He ran 4:16.02.

"I'd like to thank Tony Ringsmuth and the First National Bank of Wakefield for sponsering the event," Engel said.  "Thank you to my wife Denise for preparing the great food for the runners and helping at the finish line and my daughter Janelle who for the fourth year recorded laps and finishing times.  Thanks to the city of Wakefield for the use of the New Pavilion and to all the volunteers who helped at the aid stations and registration table.  And a special thanks to Bill Sved for all his help before and after each marathon."

Proceeds from the race are set aside for scholarships for Wakefield track and field athletes.  Courtney Dean and Casey Evsich both received $500 for their education at G.C.C. this past June. 

The 5th Annual First National Bank of Wakefield Marathon will be on the second Saturday of September 2010.

Results:
Dean Juntunen, 49, Mass City    1:47.51
Doug Riske, 58, Athens, WI    3:42.34
Jim Waters, 52, Ontonagon    3:45.23
Roy Pirrung, 61, Kohler, WI    3:50.56
Cliff Reithel, 60, Ashland, WI    4:04.58
Bill Sved, 61, Marquette    4:16.02
Jim Engel, 54, Wakefield    4:25.37
Dick Draxler, 60, San Fransico, CA    4:35.33
Kathie Norkol, 35, Superior, WI    4:44.42
Derek Norkol, 38, Superior, WI    4:44.43
Pat Bridges, 56, Mercer, WI    5:02.14
Joyce Wyzlic, 57, Ironwood    5:14.41
Kendel Prescott, 48, Decatur, GA    5:52.10
Walt Prescott, 55, Decatur, GA    5:52.11
Frank Tarantino, 60, Mercer, WI    6:00.34

Gary Engstrom, 62, Ironwood,    4:22.27  (ran Fri. morning 9/11/09)

Gary Aimone, 59, Hurley, WI    15.4 miles
Leah Nikula, Ironwood,    15.4 miles
Forrest Kivisto, Ironwood,    12.6 miles

Zapp's Loop, the second race of the Fall NMTC Series, took place on Wednesday, September 9th.  Results are available here.  Congratulations to Andre Watt, Adam Swank, Jakob Wartman, Leslie Semler, and Liz Palkie, whose times qualified for the Zapp's Loop Best Times List.

Pictures submitted by Eve Stein.