On a weather-perfect, Saturday, September 16, 2017, Morrison Rotary Club sponsored the 30th Harvest Hammer 5K/Duathlon, children’s races, and Color Run. The event set its own record, with “runners from eight states,” stated announcer Don Beswick. Online pre-registration totaled 498 participants. Race Day registration opened at 7:00 a.m., in Morrison High School cafeteria, 643 Genesee Avenue, Morrison, IL. All events started in front of the school.
Previous Harvest Hammer, long-sleeve shirts can be purchased for $5. They range in sizes small to large, for youth (yellow 2013 shirts only) and adults (2015 and 2016 shirts.) Call or visit Community State Bank at 815-772-4011. The 2017 shirts sell for $10.
Children’s races begin the event. Children receive a Harvest Hammer t-shirt and blue participation ribbon. Awards are given for top boy and girl in each race. Bicycles were donated by Bryce Mead, owner of Mead’s Bike Shop, 414 Locust Street, Sterling, IL.
8:15–1/3 Mile Wee Run (reserved for children Pre-K – 2): Taylor Osborn won a bicycle.
8:30–1/2 Mile Fun Run (especially for 2nd through 5th Graders): First finishers took only 2.5 minutes to complete the course; Sarah Olson won a bicycle.
8:30–1 Mile Challenge Run (especially for 5th through 8th graders): First finishers took only seven minutes to complete the course. Alex Wakeman won $25.
Cyclist Tiffany Tipton, left, entered the Duathlon with Judy Deter, center, running the 5K. Husband Ted Deter was there to root for the women. The Deters’ personal slogan is “On we go.”
Adult races include awards overall and three deep by age group.
9:00–5K Run/Duathlon: The running course is a 3.1 mile run, out and back to start. Then Duathlon bicyclists ride a 21-mile bike on another route, out and back.
The top five finishers in the 5K race are listed with their end time.
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Male Participants
1. Craig Blean 19:24 2. Tristan Houzenga 20:00 3. Steve Beck 20:02 4. Frank Murphy 20:32 5. Skylar Drolema 20:57 -
Female Participants
1. Susie Savage 21:53 2. Kelly Brooks 24:12 3. Lola Schuler 24:40 4. Ella Schuler 24:48 5. Mindy Hochgesang 24:52
The top five finishers in the Duathlon race are listed with their end time.
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Male Participants
1. Bryce Mead 1:11:32 2. Robert Townsley 1:20:33 3. Nick Anderson 1:22:29 4. Bob Thompson 1:23:03 5. Paul Busching 1:25:36 -
Female Participants
1. Kim Lantow 1:28:19 2. Jane Simonsen 1:33:11 3. Erica Hunt 1:38:50 4. Lori Klatt 1:41:36 5. Jamie Bruns 1:42:27
Two of five candidates running for Whiteside County Sheriff attended the Harvest Hammer: Deputy Mike Lewis, left, and Sergeant Kris Schmidt. Schmidt entered the local 5K. Later in the day, all five candidates (including Lt. John Booker, Tim Fisher, and Clark Mortensen, Jr.) walked in the Fiesta Day parade in Sterling. Lewis said afterwards that 122 people walked in his support group, some on horseback.
The Color Run is free to all Hammer participants and all ages. The Color Run begins at 11:30 at Morrison High School. The course is six-tenths of a mile, north on Genesee Avenue and Genesee Street to the railroad tracks. Colored powder is tossed or thrown at sweaty runners. There are no prizes, because everyone wins a darn good time!
Melissa Kauzlarich, left, of Moline, IL, reported she has participated in Color Runs at least five times. Kylie Harness, 14 of Moline, has entered three Color Runs.
