Today marked another successful year for the Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) Pierogi Stumble 5k Run/Walk in Whiting, Indiana. It was the perfect event to have The Region's residents ramped up for Pierogi Fest set for this weekend. This was the second year the college has put on the 5k, and nearly 200 racers signed up for the event.
The air was full of the sweet smell of accomplishment and of course, delicious pierogis as runners crossed the finish line. Waiting for them at the crossing was beer, pizza, pierogis, music, and an award ceremony.
The Athletic Director of Calumet College of St. Joseph, Rick Torres, was the man who made it all come together. He quite possibly did more running around than the runners this evening by making sure that everything went off without a hitch.
"When I was hired as a cross country and track coach my plan was to have an event as a way to bring awareness. It’s worked so far!” Torres exclaimed.
Brianne Rodriguez, who is relatively new to running, was relaxing before what would be her 5th 5k. She was excited to be running with her husband and daughter.
“We go to Pierogi Fest and I went to Calumet College, I live in Dyer now. But, we love the college and I’m really looking forward to finishing the race,” Rodriguez smiled.
The event took place the night before the Pierogi Fest the put everyone in the mood for the long weekend activities. Torres commented that putting this race the night before this popular event would be a great eye catcher with a month that is already overloaded with races in Northwest Indiana.
“I felt like putting it the night before [Pierogi Fest] because I never thought about having a weekend race because there are 33 races in the month of July in this area. I didn’t want us to just be another race,” Torress continued, “We asked what people wanted after last year’s race, and they said pierogis! I said great, so we got 800 pierogis to give away after the race. Bulldog Brewery is going to give us a keg of beer to wash down the pierogis, we got Gatorade, and we got water.”
Torres also commenteed that he was thrilled to be putting on the race because he has grown up loving the sport.
“I’ve been a runner since I was 15 years old in high school. I’ve been a competitive runner forever. I know that these kinds of event are what people are looking for, they don’t want to just finish a race and go home. They're looking for something else to do afterward.”
Jim Golembieski, who is a seasoned runner, was stretching with his wife and getting ready for the race. He had taken a break for a while but after his 50th birthday he laced back up, and started running and placing in his age range.
“It’s a fun event, we lived her for 10 years, we live in Valpo now, but it’s like a home coming for us. Last year we had a good time and decided to come back. We lived out her when it just started, and it used to be you could just walk up and I believe the streets were open back then. It’s nothing like it is today.”
For our Full Gallery Click Here!
