By By STEVE MORRISON / Dowagiac Daily News
NILES – Where would you expect the largest human gathering to occur on Thanksgiving Day in Niles?
Certainly no household in the city could accommodate what transpired beginning and ending at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, as the 27th Annual Thanksgiving Day Run brought out just fewer than 1,600 participants on a crisp, cold but beautifully sunny Thursday morning.
The event features both running and walking events that draw a large range of competitors in a wide spread of age groups open to both genders. Awards are presented to the top three runners in all categories in the 5K and 10 K runs, as well as the top five male and female finishers in the 5K Walk. A 1-mile Fun Run is a non-competitive event that draws a variable group that runs, jogs, or paces just for the fun of being part of the sea of athletes.
At 9 a.m. sharp the Fun Run led off the events with 20 some eager runners of all ages, completing a two lap course around the Plym Park for one mile. Eight year-old Nathan Runstalder of Ann Arbor, who was visiting for the holiday, beamed as he crossed the finish line in the lead. He was closely followed up by nine year-old Jack Knoll of Niles. Speaking of large gatherings, Knoll, son of Niles High School Principal Jim Knoll, was one of 22 members of the extended Knoll family to run in one of the four races. Ages of runners in that Knoll clan ranged from five years to 65 years, establishing what probably was some type of unofficial record for the contest.
Art Vandelay of Granger, Ind. barreled across the finish line after just 15:30 to capture the overall title in the 5K run. As hundreds of spectators watched close on his heels, with a 15:40 was Andrew Lawrick, of Baroda. Lawrick formerly ran cross country for Oakland College.
Michele Tucker of South Bend, Ind. captured the women's division of the 5K title with an impressive time of 19:02. Most noteworthy was that at age 51, she ran better than the entire field, many of whom were less than half of her age.
In the 10 K, Lisa Pollock of Chicago paced the field of females with a 34:44 effort. Her closest competition was Katie Fenstermaker of South Bend at 39:13.
Racing for his first time in Niles, 30 year-old Ryan Grentman sped across the finish line to seal up the 10K men's championship. Grentman a native of Newport, MI, ran cross country for Michigan Tech. Now working for the City of South Bend, and residing in that community, he summed up his feelings.
"I just won the Grand Rapids Marathon in October. I have to work today; and so I thought it, the Niles Turkey Trot, was a nice race to do in the morning and then get something to eat, and then head off to work," he said.
In the YMCA gymnasium, the father and son duo of Dustin and Isaiah Cornelius, of Niles, emceed the musical entertainment during and after the event, just as they have for the last 15 years. They weren't the only volunteers. Director of the YMCA, Bret Hendrie, noted that over 150 locals donated their time and effort to make this year's proceedings. He stated his great appreciation for the help of the volunteers.
Complete results of the three races can be found by going to www.classicrace.com.
Niles-Buchanan YMCA
Thanksgiving Day run
5K Run Results
Female Overall Winner
Michele Tucker, South Bend, Ind, 19:02
Age Division Winners
No Age
Anna Suozzi, South Bend 33:36
14 and under
Makayla Manta, South Bend 23:26
15-18
Emily Haines, Mishawaka, Ind. 19:37
19-24
Shelby Morrow, Osceola, Ind. 21:56
25-29
Jennifer Mockler, South Bend 19:17
30-34
Elaina Bata, Niles 22:36
35-39
Amy Backhus, Granger, Ind. 21:23
40-44
Rita Whise, St. Joseph 24:46
45-49
Kathie Smith, Lawrence 23:00
50-54
Peggy Zeeb. Colon 20:41
55-59
Marilyn Emery, Niles 25:40
60-64
Mary Kennedy, Bloomington, Ind. 31:23
65-69
Judith Cayo, Benton Harbor 29:24
70 and over
Barb Bufton, Niles 39:44
Male Overall Winner
Art Vandelay, Granger 15:30
Age Division Winners
14 and under
Carston McCarty, Buchanan 19:59
15-18
Wesley Higdon, Michigan City, Ind. 17:15
19-24
Andrew Lawrick, Baroda 15:39
Greg Howard, Mishawaka 17:09
30-34
Aaron Weber, Coloma 18:46
35-39
Dave Kimble, South Bend 19:41
40-44
David Adamson, South bend 20:30
45-49
Gary Harrington, South Bend 18:11
50-54
Mark Furkis, Ligonier, Ind. 17:52
55-59
Zawdie Abiade, Spring Hill, Tenn. 20:10
60-64
Bruce Watson, Wyoming, MI 20:01
65-69
Kent Laudeman, West Point, N.Y. 22:34
70 and over
Larry Christensen, Elkhart, Ind. 26:42
5K Walk
Female Overall Winner
Megan Wylonis, Buchanan 30:21
Top 10
1. Megan Wylonis, Buchanan 30:22; 2. Corinne Nelson, Cincinnati, Ohio 31:10; 3. Sophie Nelson, Cincinnati 31:20; 4. Nada Kramp, Stevensville, 34:42; 5. Maureen Gillespie, Hinsdale, Ill. 37:40
Male Overall Winner
Doug Anderson, Bridgman 28:39
Top 5
1. Doug Anderson, Bridgman 28:39; 2. Michael Manion, South Bend 30:47; 3. David Stephens, Berrien Springs 31:43; 4. Jerry Dlouhy, St. Joseph 32:37; 5. Connor Pettebone, Shalimar, Fla. 35:59
10K Run
Female Winner
Katie Fenstermaker, South Bend 39:13
Age Winners
14 and under
Jessica Friend, Whitehall 53:11
15-18
Ashley A. Name, Mishawaka 42:01
Kara Egan, South Bend 42:23
25-29
Angela Moorman, Sunfield 43:09
30-34
Angela Stuver, South Bend 40:53
35-39
Amy Carder, Bellingham, Wash. 44:10
40-44
Lisa James, South Bend 43:44
45-49
Kathryn Griffin, Three Rivers 47:23
50-54
Loretta Lecount, Elkhart 48:16
55-59
Cindy Rose, Berrien Center 51:22
60-64
Barbara Walsh, South Bend 1:01.22
65-69
Mary Connolly, South Bend 1:01:37
Male Overall Winner
Ryan Grentman, South Bend 33:28
Age Winners
14 and under
Wyatt McKinley, South Bend 37:38
15-18
Mark Beams, Vicksburg 34:45
19-24
Brendon Fox, West Point, N.Y. 34:06
25-29
Nick Kovach, South Bend 36:05
30-34
James Furkis, Ligonier 41:28
35-39
John Arndt, New Carlisle, Ind. 36:22
40-44
Kevin Miller, Lawton 3:23
45-49
Charlie Fox, Plymouth, Ind. 34:05
50-54
Edwin Hurlow, Berrien Springs 36:58
55-59
Timothy Ryan, South Bend 41:02
60-64
Steve Smith, Granger 43:47
65-69
Marty Liggett, Niles 56:38
70 and over
Marlin Schmidt, South Bend 1:01:14