Participants from as far away as Washington, Arizona and Maryland, as well as hundreds of local Wisconsinites gathered for a second year in Sturgeon Bay on Saturday, June 25, 2011 to partake in Door County’s only green trail running event held at the 115-acre nature preserve known as Crossroads at Big Creek.
Running Green for Crossroads 2011
Set amidst spruce and cedar woodlands and passing through meadows abounding with early summer foliage, the annual Running Green for Crossroads Trail Run/Walk was a memorable opportunity for people from 6 through 80 years of age to enjoy nature.
Like the waters of Big Creek, the runners moved at a quick clip through the preserve, passing over all five wooden bridges on their way to the finish line after completing 10k, 5k, or 2k of groomed trails. Jim Maki, one of the charter members of Crossroads, was there to congratulate them and pass out a lush pine tree provided by Evergreen Nursery to each finisher.
“This race is now our favorite and we run a lot,” says a couple from mid-state, “well laid-out trails, well organized and friendly people!”
Between volunteers handing out bib numbers and T-shirts to the support crew cheering on the runners and walkers along the trail, there was plenty of action for the volunteers that hosted more than 200 participants and friends.
Afterwards, on the porch of the Historical Village’s General Store, the Friends of Crossroads provided snacks donated by Robinson’s Orchard, Scaturo’s, Schopf’s Dairy View Country Store, Lautenbach’s Orchard, Black Walnut Guest House, served in ecofriendly bowls from Glas: The Green Coffeehouse.
The female and male overall winners received a hand-crafted pottery bowl made by Kris Kolinski of Clay on Steele of Algoma. First, second, and third place prizes in all 18 age groups received either local maple syrup from Henschel Farms and Country View Farm, or local honey from Wienke’s Market and Pam Johnson Honey.
First prize also earned a hand-painted watercolor scroll by Theresa Meredith. All places received an issue of Trail Runner Magazine. Chip-timing results for the June 25, 2011 Running Green for Crossroads Run can be viewed at Tortoise & Hare Race Management.
Remember to note June 23, 2012 for next year’s, Annual Running Green for Crossroads Trail Run. Learn more at CrossrodsRun.com where they hope to see you on the trails! Andrew Bryan, a newbie runner, enjoyed his first race so much that he says he now runs several times a week on the Crossroads trails.
The ‘Friends of Crossroads’ and the Running Green for Crossroads volunteer team wishes to thank the following sponsors for making the second annual Running Green for Crossroads, such a success.
Sponsors:
Ministry Health Care, Evergreen Nursery, Friends of Crossroads, DesignWise Studios, Greens N’Grains
Awards:
Path and Paddle Outfitters, Kris Kolinski of Clay on Steele, Henschel Farms, Wienke’s Market, Countryview Farms, Pam Johnson Honey, Dan Swanson, Theresa Kay-Meredith, Jim Maki, Deb Whitelaw-Gorski, Gretchen Schmelzer
Refreshments:
Schopf’s Dairy View Country Store, Lautenbach Orchards, Black Walnut Guest House, Scaturo’s Bakery, Glas the Green Coffeehouse
Donations:
Animal Clinic of Door County, Door County Candy, Whitetails Unlimited, Raibrook Foundation, Del Herrbold Insurance, Cellcom, Door County Dental, Dr. Daniel and Heidi Tomaszewski, Associated Bank, Forbes Funeral Home, Ross Wealth Management, Bay Pharmacy, Dr. Shawn and Susan Melarvie, David and Ann Miller, Sandra and Rodger Anderson, Lakeshore Landscape and Design, Wal-Mart, Target, Trillium Herbal Company, Cornucopia, The Oilerie, Harbor Ridge Winery