By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – Greeted by cooler but humid conditions, almost 7,000 runners and walkers participated in the 46th Bellin Run 10k June 11.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, this was the first time the race was held in person since 2019.
The last two editions were held virtually.
In the women’s race, Risper Gesabwa (33:11) captured her eighth event title with a seven-second victory over Makenna Myler (33:18).
Gesabwa, who didn’t compete in 2017, claimed the Bellin Run crown in five consecutive appearances dating back to 2012.
The win broke her own seven-victory record for the course.
Two women, Kim Merritt and Joan Benoit Samuelson have won the Bellin Run four times, while two men, Allan Kiprono and John Korir, have won it five times.
On the men’s side, Jared Ward (29:09) broke the tape and defended his 2019 title, defeating two-time champion Brendan Gregg (28:40), the 2018 Bellin Run champ, by 31 seconds.
Joseph Kimani retained the men’s course record (27:46) set in 1997, and Tegla Loroupe held on to the women’s course record (31:48) set in 1999.
There were, however, some new age group records set:
- Females 65-69 — Andriette Wickstrom: 48:35
- Females 80-84 — Myrna Dickinson: 1:18:35
- Males 8 and under — Liam Bisson: 49:10
- Males 85 and over — James Henderson: 1:37:29
The Bellin Run welcomed back 20 Legends, participants who have participated in every single Bellin Run since the event’s inception in 1977.
Complete Bellin Run results are available through the Bellin Run website by CLICKING HERE.