STRIVE Run Brings Together All Ages to Support Owatonna Rotary

All ages, all running levels and abilities, and at least five states were represented at the 15th annual Owatonna Rotary Club STRIVE Wellness Run Saturday at the high school track. The morning started with younger children racing 400 and 800 meters. It seemed to me some were as young as three or four years old.

The 5K event featured runners between eight and 73 years old. The top male finishers were Alec Wright of Rochester in a time of 16:12. A series of Owatonna runners followed him across the finish line. Braydon Kubat (16:20), Collin Buck (16:49), Preston Meier (17:42) and Connor Ginskey (17:50) rounded out the top five.

The top five females were McKenzie Holt (18:42), Delilah Baedke of Owatonna (20:21), Tara Seykora of Owatonna (21:30), Tasheena Jaconson of Rosemount (22:21) and Jaci Burtis of Owatonna (22:33).

Owatonna High School boys cross country coach Dave Chatelaine practices what he preaches, as he won his age group with a time of 21:54. A coaches association hall of fame member, Chatelaine is a former runner for the Golden Gophers.

I had my personal best for the STRIVE Run at 26:30, but couldn't quite catch Owatonna coach Sam Hager, who finished three seconds quicker. Runners from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado and Florida filled the field of 171 finishers for the 5K.

The run raises money for a scholarship program for OHS seniors. A two-mile walk is also part of the event, which is held each year during the Steele County Fair. As usual, a fun design was put on the t-shirt for participants.

Keep up to date with the latest news from the Steele County Fair with KRFO radio.