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 runs inaugural SJO 5K
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)


Finishing together
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 runs SJO5K
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
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."




Food & Dining |
Recipe-of-the-week: 3 Layer Arkansas Possum Pie

The star of your next spread can be hidden away in the refrigerator for a surprise delight for your guests. It's topped with chocolate syrup and chopped pecans, and your loved ones just may vote it to be their favorite dish.

It's an Arkansas Possum Pie, made with three delicious layers and crunchy toppings for a show-stopping dessert.




Recent study suggests childhood trauma could haunt Illinois adults for life
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed 75% of U.S. high school students said they have had at least one adverse childhood experience, or ACE.

Research has shown ACEs can alter a child's brain chemistry and produce a prolonged toxic stress response. Experiencing at least one ACE as a child is linked to having alcohol and substance use problems in adulthood, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.


Op-Ed |
Tipped wage system isn't working, removing taxes won't save it
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What will? Replacing the subminimum wages that tipped workers make with one fair wage nationwide.

The federal minimum wage for most workers is just $7.25. But for workers who get tips, employers are allowed to pay them $2.13 an hour. If tips don’t raise your hourly pay to at least the ...
Health & Wellness |
Is it depression, ADHD or bipolar disorder?
Lavender Zarraga, APRN, a behavioral health provider at OSF HealthCare, says it’s not uncommon for her patients to ask for a medication that isn’t the right fit.

The culprit? She says symptoms of common mental health issues like depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder can overlap. So, it’s important to stay in contact with your provider to make ...

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America is ready for cheer, brightness and hope
When I was a child, I thought Christmas would never come. The weeks dragged by while I wore out the toy sections of the Sears and Penny's catalogs hoping Santa might stop by. I always looked for Santa Claus and tried to stay awake on Christmas Eve just to catch a glimpse of the jolly big guy.