Weather favors Bessemer's 35th annual Hometown Run

By PAMELA JANSSON

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Bessemer - The 35th annual Bessemer Hometown Run drew 195 participants on Saturday while managing to avoid rain that had threatened to spoil the day.

In the 10K division, Jared Joki, 26, took first among men at 38 minutes, 33 seconds, and Paulette Niemi, 56, took first among women at 50.47. They are both from Ironwood.

The 10K route stretched all the way to Harding Road in Bessemer Township.

Overall, spirits were high, and family units were in full force.

Patrick and Kelli O'Neal of Custer, Wisconsin, arrived with their two kids, Everett, 8, and Presley, 6, to participate in the 2-mile division.

"We have a house up here and spend every minute we can here," said Patrick.

Presley fretted that she would feel upset if she did not do well, but her parents assured her that having fun is the best reason to participate.

In the 2-mile division, Rob Tyler Smith, 19, of Ironwood came in first among men 10.24. Deanna Harju, 44, of Bessemer was first among women in 15.13.

A third division for strollers was one more element to attract families, and event director Lori J. Bennetts said it's always a popular category, with 19 contestants listed this year, not including the babies and toddlers in strollers or additional parents or older kids walking beside them.

Kids on wheels were all smiles, and the parents were lighthearted.

Before crossing the finish line, Travis Anderson of Menominee - who was with his wife, Elizabeth Stempiar - took a little twirl with his stroller, which held their children, Westin, 3, and Jillian, 4 months.

"She was cooing the whole way," said Anderson of the baby.

In the stroller division, Samantha Downey, 33, of Stratford, Ontario, was the overall winner at 17.58, and Drew Bennetts, 28, of Bessemer was the runner-up in 19.18. Following them were Anderson at 23.55 and Kaitlyn Ludtke, 35, of Montreal at 24.01.

Additional examples of family units came in the form of fathers and sons and mothers and daughters.

T.J. Richmond of Richfield, Wisconsin, participated in the 2-mile division with his sons, Logan, 8, and Colt, 7.

"I poured water on myself," said Colt, who grinned as he crossed the finish line to cheers from onlookers.

Sheriff Ross Solberg and deputies were on hand to monitor traffic and overall safety, and Recla estimated that 75 volunteers helped to make the event possible.

Fruit, juice and water awaited participants upon their return, as well as observers who gathered on main street to watch the entertainment and add to the cheer.

The Bessemer Hometown Run/Walk, which starts and ends at the Bessemer City Hall, is just one of a number of events scheduled as part of Bessemer's 9-day celebration of Independence Day.

"We're always the Saturday before the Fourth," said Recla.

Full results for male and female winners in each division of the Bessemer Hometown Run can be found at raceroster.com.