On July 7, 2013, Nativity of Our Savior Church held their 12th annual 5k run to kick off the beginning of the Nativity Festival held every year at the church.
Race director, Nicolette Huber, says that the race takes about six months of preparation between ordering food, t-shirts and medals for the runners. “This year there are a little over 300 race participants in the 5k, and in the kids one mile there were about 30 to 40, and that’s more than we’ve ever had for the kids’ race,” Huber said.
The first place finisher of this year’s 5k was Portage High School’s cross country team’s captain, Lucas Sullivan. Sullivan’s time was 17 minutes and 11 seconds.
Each runner was eager to run at the starting line at seven o’clock that Sunday evening. But to run a 5k took months of preparation to most runners. Participant Melissa Hosking says that she has been training for this particular race for a month and a half.
“I run this race every year because I hope to get a better time each time I run it. My favorite part of running is really just making it through and finishing and the runners high at the end,” Hosking said.
This Thursday, July 11, the annual Nativity Fest will take place at Nativity of Our Savior Church until Sunday, July 14th.