The 2011 Portage Perch Fest concluded on Sunday night with the 5K Run/Walk, which started and ended in Founders’ Square. The runners enjoyed a perfect night for a race with cool and overcast conditions, complimented by a nice breeze.
A one mile race for children 12 and under was held prior to the start of the 5K. Awards were handed out to the top three finishers in each age group. They received metals to wear around their necks.
Hunter Boyer, age 12, finished first overall with an impressive time of 6:20. He received tickets for a Chicago Wolves (AHL) hockey game. Fellow 12 year old Cruz Rosales came in just behind Boyer with a time of 6:26, to take second. Jordan Boyer (age 10) was the first female and third overall with a time of 7:19.
The course for the 5K ran south onto Prairie Duneland Trail. The finish for the 5K was very similar to the kids’ run in the sense that two competitors finished neck-and-neck for the top spot, significantly ahead of the rest of the field. Adam Higgins won the race by just one second, posting a time of 17 minutes, 20 seconds. The other dominating runner was Don Robb Jr., who took just 17 minutes, 21 seconds to scamper 5K.
Third place finisher Alex Yong’s time was 19 minutes, 4 seconds. Yong is a Portage High School graduate who is currently attending Saint Joseph’s College, where he runs cross country.
Click here for some great photos of the Kids’ Run and 5K Run/Walk!!!
Click here to check out more photos from throughout the Perch Fest weekend. The festival was a tremendous success in its third year. It started August 6 and 7 with a fishing tournament and boat parade. This weekend featured rides, food, vendors, games, bands, a Little Miss/Mr. Perch Contest, Karaoke, bands, go-kart racing and more. The people in charge of planning the event have their work cut out for them in 2012 if they plan to outdo themselves again!