Inaugural Race Draws Hundreds of Athletes and Fans
WATERLOO, IOWA (August 20, 2014) – Build Our Ballpark and the Cedar Valley SportsPlex hit it out of the park on Saturday with their first – ever Run the Bases 5K/10K. The event, which included a short Fun Run for kids in addition to the 5K and 10K races, drew about 225 participants, even more family and friends, and raised more than $5,000 for Build Our Ballpark.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the turnout for the first year of this race,” said Bob Hellman, founder and executive director of Build Our Ballpark. “There are several projects around town and in neighboring communities that will greatly benefit from the generosity displayed here.”
Build Our Ballpark, founded in 2008, has helped build or renovate 15 youth baseball and softball fields across Waterloo, and is now working on projects in Alden, Parkersburg and Dike.
“What I love most is that we introduced new people to Build Our Ballpark and the SportsPlex,” said Hellman. “A great cause supported by a great fitness facility helps events like this grow from year to year.”
The 10K winners were Adam Bohach from Decorah and Samantha Wingert from Cedar Falls.The 5K winners were Mathew Chesang from Fort Riley, Kansas, and Traci Kresser from Clive, Iowa. Each of these winners received a trophy, $200 cash, and a new pair of running shoes from The Runner’s Flat.
Second place winners received $150, and third place winners received $50. The overall winners are listed at www.CVSportsPlex.org/RunTheBases.
The top three male and female winners in each age group earned medals, and 35 kids ran the mile-long Fun Run, earning certificates of completion.
In addition to the races, participants and fans enjoyed snacks and conversation outside the SportsPlex, where sponsors had informational tables and giveaways.
“The whole day was a chance to remind people of all the wonderful things going on in Waterloo,” said Mark Gallagher, sports manager for Waterloo Leisure Services. “Build Our Ballpark has helped Leisure Services increase youth baseball and softball participation by more than 30 percent, and the SportsPlex is opening doors for fitness fans of all levels and interests. It was nice to celebrate all of that with this event.”
Through Run the Bases and a RAGBRAI team, Build Our Ballpark raised about $20,000 this summer. The group also awarded $1,000 in sporting goods gift cards to a youth baseball team in celebration of Youth Baseball Softball Day (May 19), and presented 10 coaches and one umpire with Coaches of the Year awards earlier this month.
As for the off-season?
“Like any coach would say, we have a lot of work to do to get ready for next year,” said Hellman. “We know exactly what we can do to improve, and we always want next year to be our biggest and best.”
