Get Your Rear in Gear Twin Cities 2007

Lake Harriet - March 31st, 2007

2007 GET YOUR REAR IN GEAR 5K 2007 WAS A PHENOMENAL SUCCESS

We were so pleased that so many participants braved the rain and the cold to join us at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis for the 3rd annual Get Your Rear in Gear 5K run/walk.

HOW MANY PARTICIPATED

This year saw our registration grow by 500 participants, to over 3,200 runners and walkers. 2008 also marked the first organized year for Team Registration and supporters certainly took to the concept as we had over 75 official teams and nearly half of all participants were a member of a Team. Both the walk and run continue to grow with numbers being nearly even divided between the two offerings.

KID’S HALF MILE FUN RUN

Let’s not forget the fun and fabulous Kid’s Half Mile Fun Run, dedicated this year to a very special mother who lost her battle to colon cancer in the autumn of 2006, Beth Zeilinger. Thanks to so many of the Zeilinger extended family for welcoming our little racers with their medals and special goodie bags.

5K RUN

The 5K run continues to draw some of the best runners in the Twin Cities. Congratulations to our Male First Place Finish, Patrick Russell, who completed the course in a blazing 15:25 time. Equally as impressive was our Female First Place Finish, Amy Lyons, who finished with a fantastic 17:24 time. Many thanks to all the elite runners who continue to favor this event. Equally as impressive, are the many participants who are completing their first 5K with this event, and the many more who are posting great times very early in the running season.

5K WALK AND TEAMS

Just as the walkers started off for their turn on the course, the clouds parted a bit and they made it through just before the really interesting weather moved in. This is where our many Teams really strutted their stuff, showing off numerous clever t-shirts and moving signs. We were happy to have so many survivors with us that day, and thank many of them for leading a team and/or being a very special inspiration for a Team organized by a family member, co-worker or friend. And we had some really big teams out there, starting with Beth’s Brigades, captained by Christy Partington to honor her sister Beth Zeilinger, that had over 125 members; the Vital Rear Racers from event sponsor Vital Images with 47 members; Larry’s Legions, captained by Eric Iverson to honor his co-worker Larry Oberloh who participated in the walk and just lost his battle with the disease in May with 45 members; Team Worms, captained by Christine Worms, with 44 members; and the Buns of the Run Team, captained by Joan Clark to honor her patient and now friend Lisa Brunner. A special congratulations goes out to Joan Clark who finished in the top 3 of her age category in the run; her first 5K was the 2007 Get Your Rear in Gear 5K!

SPECIAL PRIZES

Special prizes were given to the Team with the largest roster, the Team that raised the most money, and the Team with the Most Creative Team Apparel or Identifier. 2007 saw a clean sleep from the Beth’s Brigades Team! The team of 125 members helped to raise over $11,000! A picture of the Team graces our web site where you will see the beautiful t-shirt and signs designed by Adam Zeilinger, Beth’s son, with a little inspiration from Grandma Leanne Van Berkom. Top Prize for an individual fundraiser went to Shari Corwin, who raised nearly $2,600. Shari’s mom Gale Rothman has been a fabulous friend and supporter of the Get Your Rear in Gear events these past few years, working hard in the memory of her husband Frank who lost his battle to colon cancer. Funds raised by teams and individuals topped $55,000 dollars for 2007 – many thanks to all who contributed and collected!

VOLUNTEERS

An event like this could not happen without hours of time and planning and then terrific help to make things run so smoothly. Many thanks to the many employees of Minnesota Gastroenterology and the members of the MN RED running club for their help. They, and so many others, cannot be thanked enough for the time they give.

Get Your Rear in Gear Events