Superior Mayor Jim Paine
Photo provided by VNSC
The 6th Annual Running for Our Heroes 5K took place on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019 on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Superior. The University’s Veterans and Nontraditional Student Center (VNSC), who hosts the event, says that “the main beneficiary of this race is our brave local heroes, the men and women of the armed forces, active and retired, who are served by the Soldiers and Sailors Relief fund of Douglas County (SSRF), as well as the VNSC emergency fund.”
The VNSC reported a turnout of 104 racers on race day. The top runners for males were Nicholas Zosel (time: 18.40), Michael Antonich (21.21), and Jack Foster (21.22). For females, Kennedy Robelia (22.08) finished with the top time followed closely by Yoshiko Wood (23.08) and Kayla Raboin (24.12).
A special part of the race is “Our Heroes” signs people have the option to create and show who they are running for. There were several of these signs, including one hand drawn one. The VNSC said, “We hope that each year that this element will grow as it visually depicts a small portion of what this event supports.”
The Wisconsin Army National Guard helped supply water and bananas, while the Douglas County Veterans Services Office helped orchestrate the event. The Superior Fire Department displayed a flag from one of their engines. The VNSC credits local businesses including: American Legion Post 435, Superior Water, Light, and Power, and Benna Ford for their help.
“We hope to grow this even teach year with more participants and volunteers, making this a Northland tradition,” said the VNSC.
