Business Matters: Fraidy Cat 5K raises $1,000 for food pantry

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Steve Hatcher

Updated: November 21, 2011 9:21AM

I’m pleased to report that 354 runners from throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin came together in Oswego on Oct. 30 for the benefit of the Kendall County Food Pantry. They participated in the inaugural Edward Fraidy Cat 5K.

Conducted by the Oswego Chamber of Commerce, the event raised in excess of $1,000 for the food pantry.

Special thanks goes out to Edward Hospital and Health Services, which was the lead Fraidy Cat sponsor, along with Oswego Cyclery and More, Speckman Rehab Center, Keystroke Graphics, The Pooper Scoopers, Tap House Grill, Buona, Rasmussen College, Honest Tea, 95.9 The River, AmericInn Lodge & Suites, Oswego Pain Solutions, Panera, Oswego Community Bank, Massage Envy, Carson Chiropractic, ATI Physical Therapy, Thomas Orthodontics, village of Oswego, Illinois American Water, Oswego Police Department Explorer Post & Citizens Police Academy, Suacony, Jakked Hardcore, Energetic Health, Sportco Rehab, Oswego/Yorkville Ace Hardware, Peck for Illinois Senate, Shaklee/Mersch, FRS Healthy Performance, and Right Hand Sales and Marketing.

The Fraidy Cat 5K was the brainchild of our Chamber Board Chairman Tim Leverich, president of Hometowne Insurance. He recruited local runners to plan and execute the event along with my associate at the Chamber Angie Hibben, who served as race director. Serving on the committee with Leverich were: Amy Koltz, Hometowne Insurance Services; Casi Grabill, Carson Chiropractic; Chad Holstead, Business Knowledge Systems; Dean Kleronomos, Lorenzini & Associates; Evon Vargaz, du jour fine catering; Joni Heidlauf, Oswego Cyclery & More; Kandra Witkowski, The Pooper Scoopers; Mark Wrasman, Keystroke Graphics; Matt Kewenig, Aspen Financial Services; Sam Paisley, New York Life; and Tony Sidio, Tony Sidio Inc.

Since I’m not a runner, or for that matter, having never attended a running event, I was amazed at the amount of detail and hard work required. Our race committee began in earnest in February and worked right through until the final runner crossed the finish line. The adrenalin was really pumping when the fastest runners completed the race in just under 18 minutes.

Our overall male winner Kyle Dockemeyer, of New Lenox, completed the course with a time of 17:44.2, and the overall female winner Leana Goldman, of Aurora, completed the course with a time of 21:37.5

Earning first place ribbons in Female age groups:

14 and younger — Amanda Davidek, Bolingbrook

15-19 — Jodie Makara, Montgomery

20-24 — Sarah Hanson, Yorkville

25-29 — Jill Bures, Oswego

30-34 — Elizabeth Palko, Montgomery

35-39 — Wendy Sato, Oswego

40-44 — Denise Kovacevich, Channahon

45-49 — Kimberlee Ubert, Yorkville

50-54 — Debbie Besco, Oswego

55-59 — Sandra Adams, Plainfield

60-64 — Carol Raske, Oak Park

Earning first place ribbons in the male age groups:

14 and younger — Tanner McQuality, Montgomery

15-19 — Lucas Kammerer, Oswego

20-24 — Mark Carlson, Bolingbrook

25-29 — Matthew Maguire, Shorewood

30-34 — Matthew Woodin, Plano

35-39 — Ray Heriaud, Sheridan

40-44 — Dwight Nelson, Oswego

45-49 — Alan Hemminger, Montgomery

50-54 — Mark Hall, Oswego

55-59 — Vince Paparozzi, Oswego

60-64 — Jim Varney, Aurora

Check out all of the race results, including official elapsed times, at www.oswegochamber.org under the Edward Fraidy Cat information.

One of my personal rules as a Chamber of Commerce manager is “never conduct the first annual anything” because it could turn out to be a total flop. After our inaugural event, I’m now confident that the second annual Fraidy Cat 5K will be conducted in October next year.

Steve Hatcher is president/CEO of the Oswego Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at steve@oswegochamber.org.