2017 I Love Forest Park 5K Event Recap

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On Sunday, August 27 nearly 850 runners of all ages came out for the only run in Forest Park whose proceeds directly benefit the Park. Our seventh annual I Love Forest Park 5K & Kids Fun Run had its highest attendance yet and raised nearly $27,000 to support necessary Park maintenance. We are grateful to everyone who came out for the event, all of the "Virtual Runners" who showed their support while sleeping in and our generous event sponsors Caravus and A. Waldbart & Sons Nursery.

Our Kids Fun Run also saw its largest participation to date, with 76 kids enjoying this .37-mile loop. We were excited to have two volunteers from Girls on the Run on hand to help facilitate the Fun Run.

Prior to the race, a teacher from Joy of Yoga led a yoga warmup while NOW 96.3 was on site to provide music for the morning's festivities. Once the 5K was underway, runners and walkers enjoyed one of the most beautiful running routes in the region, passing by iconic locations including the World's Fair Pavilion, Emerson Grand Basin, Pagoda Circle and more.

After the race, runners were also treated to snacks and beverages thanks to donations from Shake Shack, Heartland Coca-Cola, Kaldi’s Coffee, Andy’s Frozen Custard, Whole Foods and Urban Chestnut.

Top Female: Consuelo Vargas
Female 0-19: Molly Nemnich; Rachel Finan; Keaton Ibendahl
Female 20-29: Tayler Sheahan; Christina Eddins; Gabrielle Buchbinder
Female 30-39: Sarah Graesser; Julie Lefere; Amanda Koehler
Female 40-49: Kristi Sabo; Pechaz Clark; Kristi Mattison
Female 50-59: Kathy Myer; Christine Haack; Donna Manley
Female 60-99: Jean Goldsberry; Gail Velten; Sheryl Wunderlich

Top Male: Steve Portis
Male 0-19: Emerson Lack; Anand Mysorekar; Alex Wood
Male 20-29: Rodney Oyler; Kyle Baird; Luis Garcia German
Male 30-39: Sonny Ta; Max Buehler; Gus Haug
Male 40-49: Tom Collier; Roger Willis; Jacob Varadian
Male 50-59: Steve Youngstrom; Jack Kammerer; Horacio Maluf
Male 60-99: John Pleimann; Larry Wilson; Wing Kwang

Congratulations to all the winners and many thanks to Lululemon for providing prizes for this year's top finishers and Shake Shack for providing prizes for the top finishers and 1st place finishers in each age bracket!

Did you participate in this year's 5K? A complete list of run times can be found here.

Events, PhotosKaty Peace