18th Annual Jerry Wilson Memorial Run a success

By Kristi Steen
The 18th Annual Jerry Wilson Memorial Run was held on Saturday, June 26, a day that would have been Jerry’s mom Lily’s birthday.
The Jerry Wilson Memorial Run is held in memory of Jerry Wilson, a Lancaster native, who ran marathons and trained others to run marathons, but who mostly encouraged people to live life to the full. He loved to see people of all ages, shapes and sizes out jogging, running or sprinting, setting new goals and smashing them! On our run day, we are often caught yelling two of his favorite catch phrases: “Way to go!” and “You’re way above average!”
It is with true joy that we honor him each year with this run.
Again this year, the majority of the proceeds will be given to the Lancaster Community. We have now completed the warming house and the ice rink, thanks to generous donors of time and money.
We now are working toward enough money to place playground equipment at the baseball diamonds. This play area will include a gate to keep children from running to the road and a net to cover the set from foul balls. How exciting! Miss the run but want to donate? Please contact Randy Nordin.
This year we were once again able to do a summer run as a part of Heritage Days and the weather was perfect. The clouds and breeze kept the temperature at bay until the run was complete. Numbers were a low, but enthusiasm was high. Pastor Galen Nordin started off the event with a beautiful prayer.
We had 57 running or walking the 5K, seven running in the 10K and a number of kids in the kids’ run. Next year, push yourself to be ready to participate! As Jerry always said, “Anyone can run. If you can run 3, you can run 6. If you can run 6, you can run 12.” (You get the idea!) Each young runner received a coupon for a cone, donated by Foxy Roxy. Thanks Roxy!

results
Overall 10K Winners
Men’s — Izyk Strege: 50:30

Izyk Strege was the overall 10K winner of the Jerry Wilson Memorial Run and the only runner in the 0-18 category. He finished with a time of 50:30.

Women’s — Mallory Hohensee: 59:57

Mallory Hohensee was the overall 10K winner of the 18th annual Jerry Wilson Memorial Run with a time of 59:57 in the women’s division. Second place in the 19 and over category was Naomi Younggren with a time of 1:01:21. The race was held Saturday, June 26 during Lancaster Heritage Days.

Overall 5K Winners:
Men’s — Chisum Schmiedeberg: 23:17
Women’s — Grace Coffield: 25:51

In the 5K, ages 0-12 for girls, Megan Delaney had top honors with a time of 26:06. Laura Schmiedeberg came in second with a time of 36:08. Ruth Bernstrom came in third (actually second but on her dad’s shoulders) with a time of 36:01.
In the 0-12 5K boys category, Jace Nordin came in first with a time of 26:38. Levi Nordin came in second with a time of 34:38. Axel Bernstrom landed in third with a time of 35:32.
In 13-19 for girls, Berlyn Strege came in first with a time of 28:53, Izzy Pedraza was second with a time of 29:25, and Melody Voeltz was third with a time of 39:47. For the boys, Chisum Schmiedeberg was first with a time of 23:17, and John Delaney was second with a time of 35:02.
In the women’s 20-50 category, Grace Coffield was first with a time of 25:51, Jessie Zander was second with a time of 26:40, and Andi Strege was third with a time of 27:28.
In men’s, Alex Strege was first with a time of 27:17, Hunter Patenaude was second with a time of 27:28, and Shane Delaney was third with a time of 29:50.
In the women’s 51 and over category, Tracy Templeton earned first place with a time of 36:11, Danelle Miller was second with a time of 38:08 and Michelle Steen came in third, walking with a time of 55:47.
In the men’s of this age bracket, Kevin Wilson was first with a time of 24:48, Jesse Strege was second with a time of 27:29 and Bruce Steen was third with a walking time of 55:49.
In the 10K, men’s 0-18, Izyk Strege was first with a time of 50:30. No other runners competed at this age level.
In the 19 and over category, Mallory Hohensee was first in women’s with a time of 59:57, and Naomi Younggren was second with a time of 1:01:21.
In men’s, Ethan Elfstrom was first with a time of 51:41, Mark Welz was second with a time of 1:01:21 and Bruce Nielsen was third with a time of 1:08:15.
We were once again blessed with a great crew of volunteers and we are so very grateful. Please join us next year, as we hold the 19th Annual Jerry Wilson Memorial Run during the weekend of Lancaster’s Heritage Days. Plan ahead, and start training now! Walk. Jog. Run. Bring friends!

Ethan Elfstrom, center, was the first place winner in the Jerry Wilson Memorial 10K run for the 19 and over category with a time of 51:41. Second place went to Mark Welz, left, with a time of 1:01:21 and third to Bruce Nielsen with a time of 1:08:15.