Goshen News, Goshen, IN

Breaking News

Sports

Related Photos

  • Runners in the 2011 Parade 5,000 Road Run head down Goshen's Main Street on their way out to the fairgrounds. SCOTT WEISSER

    120719 parade 5000 WEB.jpg
July 19, 2012

ELKHART COUNTY FAIR: It's that time again

Fair Parade 5,000 a beloved staple of popular annual event

By GREG KEIM THE GOSHEN NEWS

GOSHEN — When an event goes off with very few hitches why tinker with things?

Such is the case for the 31st annual Parade 5,000 that will take place before the fair parade on Sunday.

“We try to keep things pretty much the same from year to year,” race director Rick Clark said.

A year ago, 446 runners registered for the event and 438 completed the course that begins at Rogers Park in Goshen and follows the parade route through city streets to the fairgrounds and ends with a lap around the track in front of the grandstands.

The race starts at 1:20 p.m.

Last year’s 438 finishers is second to the all-time record of 470 in 2010. Participation has increased over recent years and a record number of 500 runners registered in 2010.

Goshen College graduate Justin Gillette won the men’s race in 15:47 a year ago while Michele Taylor of South Bend was the women’s winner in 19:58. Gillette also won in 2007 and 2008.

There have been changes over the years and one of the biggest was the introduction of chip timing several years ago. Runners receive a computer chip that records their time when crossing the finish line.

“The chips have really streamlined the number of workers I need at the finish line,” Clark said.

The chips have also caused the entry fee to increase from $16 to $17.

“The cost of every thing else is going up and we have not raised the entry fee in a number of years,” Clark said. “We are still in line with the cost of other races in the area”

Entry forms can be found online at the Fair Web site. They can also be found at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair office (in Goshen), area Penguin Point Restaurants, Woldruff’s Footwear in Goshen or Rodino’s Ice House-Parkmoor liquors in Elkhart.

Runners register on the day of the race at the Dog and Cat Building on the fairgrounds (just inside Gate E) between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Participants are then bused to Rogers Park for the start of the race.

Proceeds from the event go to Elkhart County Youth 4-H Clubs.

The Youth Fun Run, that takes place on the track at the fairgrounds is back for a fourth year. The event, for youngsters ages 3 to 12, begins at 1 p.m. Competitors have the option of running a half-mile (one lap) or mile (two laps).

Also returning this year is the Dick Shank Lifetime Fitness Award in honor of the long-time Realtor and developer in the Goshen area, former state senator and Republican leader who died in 2009. This is the second year for the honor.

A year ago, the first award went to Mark Furkis of Ligonier who won the male age 55-59 division in a record time of 18:21.

An example of Furkis’ commitment to fitness and the Parade 5,000 is the fact he owns the age group record in four other categories besides the one he set Sunday.

He established the 35-39 record (15:04) in 1994, the 40-44 mark (16:24) in 2000, the 45-49 mark (16:47) in 2003 and the 50-54 mark (16:55) in 2009.

The recent heat wave could be a concern.

“One good thing is that it has been warm before the fair so runners will have been training in it,” Clark said. “We also tell runners to run the way you have been training. The other big thing is to make sure you are hydrated.

“We have always went by the philosophy that if the parade goes on so does the road run.”

Text Only
Sports
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
AP Video
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God' Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Poll

Have recent scandals involving the U.S. government altered your opinion of President Obama’s job performance?

Yes, I think less of the president’s job performance
No, my opinions have not been impacted one way or the other
     View Results