Amazing turnout July 4 for The Lakes 8
Blaine man 1st, Mounds View woman 2nd overall in field of more than 225 runners
By HEATHER RULE Sun Focus
With not a cloud in the sky and the sun in their eyes, more than 400 runners pounded the pavement on a warm July 4 morning for the inaugural The Lakes 8K run in Blaine.
The run, beginning just after 9 a.m., was a part of the community's 37th annual Blazin' Blaine festival. A 4K walk and a 1/3 mile kids' run were also part of the holiday event. The 8K run and 4K walk began at the same time at East Lake Park. Participants made their way around the Lakes Parkway and South Lake Boulevard for a two-loop course for the 8K and once around for the 4K before finishing back at the park. The kids' run followed, along with an awards ceremony for all events.
The event was a fundraiser for the Alexandra House women's shelter. The City of Blaine, the Blazin' Blaine committee, the Twin Cities Triathlon Club and 11 builders from the Lakes community were all sponsors for the race.
Blaine native Sam Renneberg, 27, was the first 8K runner to reach the finish line with a time of 26:52. Renneberg said he enjoyed the run around the lakes mainly because it was a flat course. He also felt good about his top finish.
"It's always nice to come in first," Renneberg said. "Races are always fun. It's a great way to get a good workout in."
The second overall and first female finisher was Mounds View resident Amy Lyons, 21, with a time of 28:10.
Another Blaine finisher was Pam Rogers, 46, who resides in The Lakes area. She clocked in at 45:54, but said she just came out "to support the charity." Rogers also said the course was pretty flat, "which is nice."
Andover residents Beth Fugina, 19, Blaze Fugina, 18, and Ben Hoegh, 18, all enjoyed the run and said they would come back next year to the event. Hoegh said that he might try and go for the number one position next time.
"We're going to win the race next year," Beth said, with a laugh.
The Lakes area not only has wonderful houses, but also beautiful scenery complete with trees, landscaping and, of course, the lakes. The area's surroundings make it a great venue for a competitive run. Residents were very supportive of holding the race in the area, race coordinator Dan Hauck said.
A large turnout surprised Hauck, who was only expecting about 200 people. Participants could pre-register online or by mail, as well as on the day of the race. The run and walk got under way about 20 minutes after the scheduled start due to so many runners still being registered after the allotted 7:30-8:30 a.m. time slot.
"We weren't going to turn anyone away," Hauck said. "We just had an amazing turnout: that was great to see. It exceeded our wildest expectations."
While the turnout was good to see, volunteers were a little overwhelmed. Hauck volunteered his time to help organize the event. A few triathlon club members came to help out, along with one person from the Blaine Parks and Recreation Department. Hauck enlisted the help of his wife and daughter and other family members to volunteer their time for the event. Hauck said he hopes that they can have the help of more volunteers next year.
This race marked the Blazin' Blaine festival's first certified 8K run. A 5K race had been held at the National Sports Center beginning and ending at the soccer stadium for the past three years on July 4. In contrast to The Lakes Parkway course, there was nothing scenic about the previous course. This resulted in a declining number of runners and only 75 participating last year.
Hauck is "hoping to grow this race even bigger next year." People want to make the race a bigger community event complete with food and music in the afternoon, Hauck said.
