The Sentinel: SJO 5K

Jack Fisher wins SJO 5K by a stride

ST. JOSEPH - Jack Fisher won this year's installment of the SJO 5K by a second and a half, besting Andrew Pilat Saturday morning for the top spot out of a field of 135 runners with a time of 13:32.6. St. Joseph-Ogden High School junior Lance Retz, a rising star in the school's well-respected running program, finished third to round out the top 3 male and overall runners.

The top three female finishers were Hazel Atkins in first place, Sam Mabry in second, and Savanna Franzen finishing third out of 64 women from ages eight and 63 years of age. Atkins, from Shelbyville, turned in a 19:47.3 for the women's division top time.

Starting in 2008, the proceeds from the annual race help support the high school and middle school cross country and track teams in St. Joseph with travel expenses and the purchase of new equipment.

Race results by time -
1. Jack Fisher 16:32.6 ; 2. Andrew Pilat 16:34.2 ; 3. Lance Retz 16:42.3 ; 4. Jordan Harpst 17:56.7 ; 5. Patrick Ford 17:57.9 ; 6. Nate Farney 18:05.8 ; 7. Joe Griebat 18:17.3 ; 8. Eli Franklin 18:18.4 ; 9. Elijah Mock 18:34.4 ; 10. Aiden Hundley 18:45.0 ; 11. Colin Burnett 18:47.5 ; 12. Ej Beckett 18:48.9 ; 13. Adam Bello 19:34.0 ; 14. Camden Fisher 19:35.1 ; 15. Hazel Atkins 19:47.3 ; 16. Sam Mabry 19:58.7 ; 17. Colby Duitsman 20:07.7 ; 18. Savanna Franzen 20:17.1 ; 19. Greyson Guevara 20:23.4 ; 20. Tessa Walker 20:29.7 ; 21. Nathan Hinkel 20:36.0 ; 22. Jack Flesner 20:58.6 ; 23. Ryan Anderson 20:59.9 ; 24. Hunter Dilley 21:07.5 ; 25. Grace Bressner 21:15.4 ; 26. Brad Ludwig 21:24.8 ; 27. Bentley Morse 21:27.6 ; 28. Kyle Hammel 21:33.7 ; 29. Matthew Mabry 21:37.7 ; 30. Henry McCannon 21:44.0 ; 31. Andrew Schaefer 21:48.9 ; 32. Michael Tankersley 22:09.4 ; 33. Joshua Ward 22:14.0 ; 34. Elisha Guhl 22:17.8 ; 35. Jason Overman 22:32.2 ; 36. Ryan Fisher 22:33.8 ; 37. Maxwell Collins 22:42.9 ; 38. Rebekah Maxwell 23:11.5 ; 39. Patrick McClure 23:20.6 ; 40. Keegan Combest 23:22.5 ; 41. Brady Johnson 23:52.0 ; 42. Keegan Combest Jr. 23:56.6 ; 43. Mark Harbourt 24:06.8 ; 44. Tabby Brown 24:13.8 ; 45. Michael Healea 24:32.6 ; 46. Carson Coffey 24:36.2 ; 47. Taylor Vaughn 24:49.4 ; 48. Klaire Combest 24:49.6 ; 49. Drew Duden 24:52.7 ; 50. Scott Silverman 24:53.4 ; 51. Addyson Tholl 25:11.6 ; 52. David Ammermann 25:13.4 ; 53. Stephen Johnson 25:18.3 ; 54. Nikita Borisov 25:20.8 ; 55. Abigail Bello 25:37.4 ; 56. Luke Dunn 25:44.3 ; 57. Mark Wertz 26:10.6 ; 58. Maverick Wertz 26:10.7 ; 59. Spencer Krisman 26:27.7 ; 60. Madison Lubinski 26:30.7 ; 61. Whitney Patel 26:32.3 ; 62. Thea Hinkel 26:36.0 ; 63. Hannah Dignan 26:43.0 ; 64. Kendall Lubinski 27:03.0 ; 65. Paula Tankersley 27:04.9 ; 66. Gregory Poe 27:05.3 ; 67. John Lubinski 27:15.8 ; 68. Iris Davis 27:33.9 ; 69. Ethan Burnett 27:45.3 ; 70. Sara Myers 27:46.2 ; 71. Lynn Hardimon 27:48.2 ; 72. Ramsay Arnold 28:07.7 ; 73. Taryn Sexton 28:11.1 ; 74. Griffin Emery-Carlson 28:12.5 ; 75. Matt Layden 29:01.1 ; 76. Vicki Maxwell 29:13.6 ; 77. Alayna Nekolny 29:27.5 ; 78. Susan Osterbur 30:17.3 ; 79. Sara Coffey 30:40.2 ; 80. Xander Hundley 30:42.7 ; 81. Laura Owen 30:43.5 ; 82. Josie Walker 30:48.9 ; 83. Chad Walker 30:49.2 ; 84. Daniel Urban 31:10.5 ; 85. Angela Urban 31:10.8 ; 86. Jill Runck 31:11.5 ; 87. Henry Cluver 31:32.4 ; 88. Tora Borisova 31:33.9 ; 89. Amber Cluver 31:37.6 ; 90. Amy Bailey 31:39.5 ; 91. Theresa Heater 31:59.3 ; 92. Kiah Riesel 32:04.1 ; 93. Cali Argo 33:15.5 ; 94. Elizabeth Farmer 33:25.6 ; 95. Nick Farmer 33:27.9 ; 96. Kasper Zadeh 34:31.2 ; 97. Blake Franklin 34:32.0 ; 98. Amber Tomaska 34:35.2 ; 99. Ally Schmitz 34:40.6 ; 100. Jon Crawford 34:45.3 ; 101. Josie Buchanan 34:49.8 ; 102. Addi Ross 34:55.7 ; 103. Lyla Frerichs 34:56.7 ; 104. Tavi Borisova 35:21.2 ; 105. Demitrius Urban 35:25.3 ; 106. Sofie Urberg-Carlson 35:25.5 ; 107. Melinda Ward 35:42.5 ; 108. Greg Ward 35:44.0 ; 109. Candice Dixon 36:04.3 ; 110. Ellen Vore 36:31.0 ; 111. Roxy Campbell 36:37.1 ; 112. Elsa Cluver 36:37.3 ; 113. Nikki Campbell 37:59.4 ; 114. Michael Weidenburner 38:26.6 ; 115. Caleb Taylor 38:42.4 ; 116. Anne Finfrock 39:02.9 ; 117. Leah Hundley 39:03.0 ; 118. Stu Trumbo 40:13.0 ; 119. Rebecca Reck 40:46.9 ; 120. Kelly Barbour-Conerty 41:01.4 ; 121. John Mcdannald 42:50.4 ; 122. Norma Mcdannald 42:50.6 ; 123. Ashtyn Clark 44:36.8 ; 124. Allison Clark 44:48.9 ; 125. Melinda Ohlsson 47:24.5 ; 126. Amanda Upton 48:07.2 ; 127. Christina Miezio 52:09.6 ; 128. Kimberly Nigg 52:09.7 ; 129. Jeremy Bird 55:26.8 ; 130. Gina Bird 55:27.0 ; 131. Emily Bird 55:27.0 ; 132. Chloe Bird 55:27.8 ; 133. David Cluver 1:02:28 ; 134. Craig Stundahl 1:02:37 ; 135. Sue Stundahl 1:02:37 ;

Photo of the Day - January 9, 2021

Running along side his daughter Katie Duval, Doug Weaver keeps a steady pace to a first place finish in the Male 60 and Over division at the 2019 SJO 5K. He finished in 59th place overall with a time of 24:21.30. Just under 200 runners competed at this year's race. Proceeds are donated to the St. Joseph Middle School and St. Joseph-Ogden cross country and track programs. Clocking in second place in the Female 30 to 34 division, Duval finished in 58th place overall with a time of 24:21.10.

A gorgeous day for the SJO 5K

St. Joseph-Ogden alumnus Brennan Guido holds two trophies after winning the overall champion title and Hometown Pride award at the 2019 SJO 5K. He finished in first place overall with a time of 16:07.80. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

St. Joseph businessman Terry Hill waves at the camera

Terry Hill waves to the camera as he starts our on his run and eventual fifth place finish in the Male 60 and Over division. He finished in 118th place overall with a time of 30:05.70. Click here to see more photos from this year's race. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Chelsea Blaase takes a photo during the awards ceremony

Chelsea Blaase photographs her father receiving his award at the SJO 5K. After at least a decade of having a parent photograph her on a podium, the former SJO standout returns the effort. Just under 200 runners competed at this year's race. Proceeds are donated to the St. Joseph Middle School and St. Joseph-Ogden cross country and track programs. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Kristi Sabo steps up to receive her award for her third place finish in the Female 45 to 49 division during the awards ceremony at 2019 SJO 5K. She finished in 72nd place overall with a time of 25:25.30. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Hamming it up for the camera, Paul Byron runs the last 40 yards of his race on his way to a seventh place finish in the Male 45 to 49 division. He finished in 76th place overall with a time of 25:53.40. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Sara Myers runs to fourth place and 82nd overall finish in the Female 45 to 49 division. She clocked in at 26:22.70 to finish her race on Saturday. Click here to see more photos from this year's race. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

See 140 more PhotoNews photos from this year's 5K race and fun run here: 07-27-19 SJO 5K

Memory Monday: 2012 SJO 5K

Beau Barber and Dean Meyer race to the finish

Above: With 15 yards to go, Beau Barber (left) and Dean Meyer go all out as they approach the finish line at the 2012 SJO 5K. Barber, who held on to his ultra thin lead, crossed over a split second ahead of Meyer. Barber was 30th, while Meyer finished 31st in their Chariots of Fire like sprint to the finish line. See more than 300 additional photos from the 2012 race here: 2012 SJO 5K photo gallery. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Brenda Hixson runs to a 120th place finish

Left: Aiden Meyer runs to a 90th place finish at the 2012 SJO 5K. Meyer, who graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in May and signed a national letter of intent to play football at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, before that back in February, completed the course that day at 25:06. Right: Brenda Hixson runs to a 120th place finish. She finished the race in 26 minutes, 38 seconds. Below: Sara Wolfersperger heads to finish line to clock in at 26:22, good for a 113th place overall. (Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

A look back at the SJO 5K

PhotoNews Media has covered nearly every SJO 5K race since its humble beginning in 2008. This weekend will be no exception when the starter's gun fires this Saturday at 7:30 am on Main Street signalling the start to this year's race.

Despite its growing competitive field of runners each year featuring some of the best distance athletes across several age categories, the SJO 5k has an incredibly family friendly, supportive atmosphere.

Proceeds from the event supports the St. Joseph Middle School and St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls and boys cross country and track teams. Revenue from entry fees help pay for uniforms, warm-ups, travel expenses and other costs incurred during the season.

Here's a sprint down memory lane highlighting some of our favorite photos from nearly 2,000 photos and a decade of SJO 5K coverage. Search for more photos using the search tool at the top of the next column. Enter name, date or race to find more great action photos from this race and other in the PhotoNews Media archive.

Members of the SJO High School girls cross-country team pause for the singing of the national anthem before the start of the St. Joseph Festival 5K Run/Walk on August 8, 2009. A record 313 runners competed in this year's event. (Photo: Photonews Media/Clark Brooks)

On the left, dressed as Superman, Ross Baker runs as an unregistered competitor at the St. Joseph Festival 5K in 2009. This year's costume was the first in what will be come a tradition by Baker at the annual community race. On the right, a runner splashes a cup of water on to her face to stay cool as heads down the final stretch to the finish line in the 2009 race. (Photos: Photonews Media/Clark Brooks)

Carol Firkins is all smiles as she heads out on the course on the fun walk at the St. Joseph 5K Run and Fun Walk in 2008. (Photo: Photonews Media/Clark Brooks)

August 9, 2014 - St. Joseph, IL - Chelsea Blaase runs to the women's overall title at the 2014 SJO 5K. Blaase, who finished the course with a time of 17:07.2, won her fourth consecutive women's title at the race. Then a University of Tennesee standout, she trimmed a minute and 39 seconds off her time 2013 time at this year's race. Over 300 area runners competed in the seventh installment of the annual event. Meanwhile, on the right, Mike Tankersley rounds the corner at Evergreen Drive and Main on his way to the finish line in 2013. (Photos: Photonews Media/Clark Brooks)

Piles of bananas wait for runners after the St. Joseph Community Festival 5K Saturday morning. Over 190 competitors ran for top honors, trophies and 40 door prizes offered at the inaugural race in 2008. (Photo: Photonews Media/Clark Brooks)

Tracy Ingram waves her arms in celebration as she nears the finish line and a ninth place finish in the Women's 40 - 44 division at the 2014 SJO 5K. Ingram finished the course with a time of 39:57.6. See more photos from the 2014 race here ... On the right, Ryan Thompsen smiles as he recognized with his Hometown Award after running the SJO 5K on Saturday morning. Earlier, the student-athlete at North Central College and former St. Joseph-Ogden High School standout, received the All-Area Circuit's top overall runner award. The crown was courtesy of NCC teammate Ryan Root who won the overall race title. (Photos: Photonews Media/Clark Brooks)

Justin Jones, right, and Jolee Paden, on the left, pose for a photo after receiving their awards at the 2009 St. Joseph Community Festival 5k, the name of the race before becoming the SJO 5K. Paden was the top women's finisher circumventing the course in 20:42. Jones was the overall winner taking an even 16 minutes to win the top award. Paden will be a sophomore at St. Joseph-Ogden in a few weeks, while Jones, an Oakwood graduate, will attend Olivet Nazarene this fall where he will run cross country on a partial scholarship. (Photo: Photonews Media/Clark Brooks)

Throwback Thursday: The first St. Joe 5K

This week's Throwback Thursday features photos and memorable faces from the inaugural SJO 5K, then known as the St. Joseph Community Festival 5K. In the months ahead, visit the race's official website here for information concerning this year's upcoming race.

The Sentinel, courtesy of PhotoNews Media, has more than 250,000 images from more than a decade and half of sport coverage and athletic events in St. Joseph. As space and time allows, we will share photos, memorable moments and treasured images from the massive collection of images of sporting events in our files for your weekly paper.

Brothers, Aaron, left, and Caleb Ball sprint out of the gate

With a turnout that exceeded organizers' expectations, 194 finishers ran in the first St. Joseph Community Festival 5K Saturday, August 9, 2008. Brothers, Aaron, left, and Caleb Ball sprint out of the gate ahead of the pack at the start of the run. The race featured a great course under perfect running conditions and over 40 door prizes for participants from area merchants. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Jim Acklin, superintendent and former SJO cross-country coach, heads to the finish line. Acklin won the men's 45-54 age group with a time of 17:29.00. Today, Acklin coaches college running as the head cross country coach at Danville Area Community College and serves as a trustee for Ogden. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Ryan Thompsen runs to a 5th place finish

Ryan Thompsen runs to a fifth place finish in the Male 15-19 division at the St. Joseph 5K Run and Fun Walk. Thompsen finished the course at 17 minutes and 55.72 seconds. Thompsen running career did not end after high school or his stint at North Central College in Naperville. He went on to win the 2016 5K title at Illinois Marathon and finished the marathon event in fourth place in 2017. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Jennifer Ball, Sherry Nagy, Kate Morgan, and Sandy Bayles raise their arms as they head for the finish line. Over 190 runners and walkers participated in what would be come the first of an annual community event in St. Joseph. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Jolee Paden, left, holds off Sidney Megeff, who runs to a third place finish in the Female 14 & Under division. Proceeds from the race/walk were donated to the St. Joseph-Ogden High School and St. Joseph Junior High cross-country programs. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Nicole Mannen runs to a seventh place finish in the Female 14 & Under division. Mannen finished the course at 26:30.03. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Runner Landon Vowels eats a post-race snack

Landon Vowels devours a banana after finishing his race. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

*** Editor's Note: This following paragraph was removed from the story due to the PhotoNews archive shuttered by Covid-19 pandemic. "The PhotoNews online archives are searchable by name, date and event. Use the search tool on this page to find current and nostalgic file photographs."