Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, Hillsdale, Mich.
On the stroke of 0800, the gun sounded. American Legion Leighr A. Wright Post 53 of Hillsdale hosted 50 participants in the “5K for VVA”, a community fun run/walk in support of Vietnam Veterans of America. The course left the Legion, ran around the Hillsdale Waterworks and onto Baw Beese Trail for the trip out to the turnaround at the end of the trail near Sandy Beach, then returned along the roadway to Lakeview Drive for the dash to the finish back in the Legion driveway.
Intrepid runners and not a few walkers from Hillsdale and surrounding counties braved gorgeous 60-degree morning weather and an arduous route past sweeping vistas, lake views, and families of picturesque wild Canada geese, not inconsiderable distractions, to complete the circuit each and all in under one hour!
Special congratulations go to the winners; the first three men and the first three women across the finish line were awarded medals. Michael Nikkila, Dr. Kevin Walton and Kyle Martin led the men, and Alyssa Cortes, Joanna Greeley and Julie Ignagni led the women with blistering paces! All participants finished, and each received a 2020 dog tag and commemorative towel for this 5K for VVA, the inaugural event in Post 53’s planned Running for Heroes Series.
Feedback was highly enthusiastic as participants crossed the line and gathered for the medal ceremony, encouraging Legionnaires to “Carry On Smartly,” as military-trained personnel are known to do. One participant asked a member to “... make this an annual event!” Another said we “... really have to get other runs scheduled!” This writer was most happy to hear, “I even want to run in the snow this winter. Schedule more runs!”
Legion Post 53 is most grateful to our sponsors, Commander Chris Parks, Barrett Insurance, Jilly Beans Coffee, DP Equipment of Camden, Performance Auto, Sid Michael, City of Hillsdale Parks & Rec Department, Hillsdale Police Department, as well as Crossfit Crews from DIBE and Timoro, who showed up in force to participate.
Event pictures are available on Facebook at the American Legion Post 53 Hillsdale Run Page: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost53RunningForHeroes