Harpers Ferry Boosters, Inc. hosts its annual Firecracker 5K Run/Walk
Harpers Ferry Firecracker 5K Run/Walk held July 6 ... The Harpers Ferry Firecracker 5K Run/Walk was held July 6 in Harpers Ferry. More than 150 runners from six different states participated in this year’s event. Submitted photos.
Saturday, July 6, Harpers Ferry Boosters, Inc. hosted the Firecracker 5K Run/Walk. Over 150 runners and walkers were up early that Saturday morning for the annual Fourth of July holiday event which draws participants not only from all over Iowa and neighboring states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois but also from California and Alabama. Just before the 8 a.m. start time, Harpers Ferry Mayor Bill Nation welcomed everyone and reminded them that the new splash pad right next to the finish line would be running when they reached the end.
Sheila Diggins, President of Harpers Ferry Boosters, Inc., thanked everyone for participating, all the sponsors for their support and wished everyone a great race. When Kaylee Bachman, one of the runners, finished her impressive singing of the National Anthem, the horn sounded and the runners were off.
The awards ceremony was held once all the participants had crossed the finish line. Awards were distributed to the overall male and female winner of the event, as well as the first-, second- and third-place female and male in each of seven age categories.
After the awards ceremony, a Superhero Children’s Race took place on the grounds of St. Ann’s-St. Joseph’s Church. Approximately 50 boys and girls participated in the races and each received a special medal for their efforts and hard work.
The overall male winner was Brady Hogan, age 16, of Waukon with a time of 18:01. Macy Niewoehner, age 19, of Hawkeye was the overall female winner with a time of 20:32. Award winners in the other age categories are listed below in order of 1st (Gold), 2nd (Silver) and 3rd (Bronze):
Male 14 & Under: Gold - James Anderson; Silver - Axel Brandsmeier; Bronze - Hudsin Denhartog.
Female 14 & Under: Gold - Alison Wagner; Silver - Annaliese Martinson; Bronze - Addison Winters.
Male 15-19: Gold - Breckin Denhartog; Silver - Reece Gallagher; Bronze - Sam Huff.
Female 15-19: Gold - Katelyn Benzing; Silver - Kaylee Bachman; Bronze - Jillian Anderson.
Male 20-29: Gold - Troy Friderich; Silver - Dalton Godfrey; Bronze - Daniel Martinson.
Female 20-29: Gold - Allison Hora; Silver - Kaley Benzing; Bronze - Amber Breitbach.
Male 30-39: Gold - Doug Elfstrom; Silver - Michael Casterton; Bronze - Ryan Henry.
Female 30-39: Kelly Hilsabeck; Silver - Brooke Welsh; Bronze - Alicea Porter.
Male 40-49: Gold - Tim Godfrey; Silver - Matt Wagner; Bronze - Brian Brandsmeier.
Female 40-49: Gold - Sarah Murray; Silver - Carrie Gleason; Bronze - Nicole Wiltsen.
Male 50-59: Gold - Joe Kauten; Silver - Dan Byrnes; Bronze - Glenn Livingston.
Female 50-59: Gold - Sheri Hamilton; Silver - Annette Weber; Bronze - Karla Godfrey.
Male 60 & Over: Gold - Dave Farmer; Silver - John Fox; Bronze - John Scheeler.
Female 60 and Over: Gold - Catherine Scheeler; Silver - Pam Larson; Bronze - Barb Murra.
The Firecracker 5K is the biggest fundraising event held by the Harpers Ferry Boosters, Inc. and is supported by 60 local sponsors whose donations help cover the expenses of the race. The Boosters use the profits from the race to support projects and organizations in Harpers Ferry as well as the surrounding area. Some of these benefactors are the Harpers Ferry Splash Pad, contributions to the Fire Department, American Legion, Fireworks Fund, annual scholarships to local seniors attending Waukon High School and Kee High School, the Harpers Ferry Fireflies Granny Basketball team, Music in the Park and many others.
