Talented Mr. Ripley smashes Running Bear Run course record
From staff reports
Zack Ripley took first place at the Running Bear Run in Glen Arbor on July 23 with a 5K time of 15:37. The previous course record was 16:06. The Grand Rapids native ran with his wife Andi, who placed first in her age category. Ripley is a high school English and Social Studies teacher. “I usually run 10K races but we thought this would be a fun race to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary”, he said.
The overall best female was Chicago native Kelsey Kilrea with a time of 18:53. She is a senior at the University of Illinois and runs Club Track and Cross Country. This is Kilrea’s second Running Bear Run, and she has been coming to Glen Lake with her family for 16 years. “This is my favorite vacation spot”, she said.
Over 700 people participated in this year’s race, including 139 children. According to race chair Carole Becker, “many families plan their vacations around the race, and it’s not unusual to have 10-20 people from the same family running in the race across several age groups.”
The race is sponsored by the Glen Arbor Women’s Club, and 100 percent of the net proceeds are used to fund college scholarships and community projects.
Following the awards ceremony, a raffle drawing awarded over 80 prizes, including lodging at local resorts, dining gift certificates, jewelry, health and beauty items, and local merchandise. “The local merchants really get behind this event by donating generous prizes”, said Becker. “Last year we awarded five scholarships to high school seniors totaling $10,000. We also gave to several community groups including donations to the local food pantry.”
Students from the Traverse Bay Area Career Tech Center designed the race t-shirt. This year’s design was created by Alexis Wright and Molly Longton.
The Women’s Club would like to thank Cherry Republic for use of its Glen Arbor location to stage the event, for its financial support, and for the many prizes it donated. Special thanks also to other major sponsors including Boone Docks, Crystal River Outfitters and The Cyclery, The Homestead, Leelanau Vacation Rentals, Manitou Passage Golf Club and Riverfront Pizza and Specialties.
