Winners Announced in 22nd Annual Community College Run Events

Published: 04/28/2014

“This year’s run and expo couldn’t have been more colorful! It was such a fun, fitness-oriented community event,” said Heather McDorman, race co-coordinator and vice president for marketing and communications at the college.  “It’s gratifying to see people of all ages and ability levels participate in the run events, as well as have the opportunity to visit booths from a variety of local exhibitors.”  The 10K and 5K courses are certified by USA Track and Field (USATF).

In the 10K Race, Aaron Usher, 35, of Mason, Mich., was first to cross the finish. Usher came in with a time of 35 minutes, 10 seconds, followed by David Baker at 36 minutes, 1 second. Vicki Duepner, 34, of St. Peters, was the first woman to cross the finish line, coming in 11th overall with a time of 43:57. Usher and Duepner, the male and female overall winners, each received a $100 cash prize.

In the top SCC student, alumni and employee 10K categories, the first male SCC student to cross the finish line was Max Cameron (43:20) and the first female student to finish was Rachel Miller (1:03.17).  The first male alum to cross the finish line was Victor Halamicek (39:53), and the first female alum was Anne-Marie Moran (49:12).  In the employee division, Thaddeus Nieman (40:10), enrollment services assistant, was the first male to cross the finish line. The first female employee to finish was Meredith Struebing, learning specialist (56:51).

In the 5K Race, Thomas Koon, 50, of Kirkwood, was first to cross the finish line. He came in with a time of 19 minutes, 49 seconds, followed by Greg Beasley at 20 minutes, 59 seconds, and Colbei Sakuma at 21 minutes, 28 seconds. Erin Stock, 14, of St. Charles, was the first female to cross the finish line, coming in fifth overall with a time of 22:16. Koon and Stock, the male and female overall winners, each received a $50 cash prize.

In the top SCC student, alumni and employee 5K categories, the first male SCC student to cross the finish line was Zach Grabowski (24:24) and the first female student to finish was Elena Hoffman (24:19). The first male alum to cross the finish line was Dustin Lorenscheit (29:04), and the first female alum was Lisa Fain (35:11).  In the employee division, Jacquelyn White (31:16), learning specialist and adjunct faculty member in math, was the first female to cross the finish line.  No male employees entered the 5k race.

A list of all winners in the various events at the 22nd Annual 10K Race, 5K Race and Fun Run can be found at www.stchas.edu/run.

Nearly 150 trophies and medals were awarded in age group categories in the 10K, 5K and Fun Run events. About 259 runners registered in the 10K race; the 5K, 315; and the Fun Run, 150.  A total of 724 runners registered for the event.  

All 10K and 5K run registrants, ages 18 and above, were automatically entered into the drawing for a $1,000 scholarship to SCC.  The winner is Thomas Korth, 30, of O’Fallon. Korth, an SCC alum, is deciding whether to take additional classes at SCC or to donate the scholarship to a worthy student.

New this year was a free ‘80s-themed photo booth, free headbands to the first 500 registered in the 5K and 10K, and a choice of three neon-colored T-shirts for early registrants.  Free car washes for a year from Green Lantern was awarded to Best Costume winner Gabbrielle Chittenden for her Madonna-like running outfit.  In addition, free car washes were presented to the 86^th finisher of the 10K and 5K, Ron Helvey and Kayla Green respectively, in honor of 1986, the year the college was voted in existence by St. Charles County residents.

The college’s annual That ‘80s Run event also included some 50 exhibitor booths with health and wellness information presented by hospitals, agencies, fitness organizations, businesses and institutions in the area.

Gold sponsors are Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital & Progress West HealthCare Center, BenandBeccalee Photographers, Big 550 KTRS Radio, Christian Foods/McDonald’s, General Motors, Precision Health Group, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Smoothie King, STLToday.com, Tucanos Brazilian Grill and Well Woman Active Man Magazine. Silver Sponsors are Melander Sports Medicine, Mercy, Missouri American Water Company and SSM St. Joseph Health Center & Hospital West. Bronze Sponsors are Central Methodist University, Green Lantern Car Wash, Shirt Kong and SSM Physical Therapy.

For 2014 photos and information about next year’s event, visit stchas.edu/run.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.