Heartland Half Marathon running rain or shine

On Sunday Dubois County will host the inaugural Heartland Half-Marathon.The race through the streets of Jasper that has enjoyed a large response since it was announced earlier this year.

Memorial Hospital became the corporate sponsor after being approached by four runners, Kenny Hochgesang, Eric Rasche, Philip Wolf and Kevin Manley, with the idea for the event.

The core group of organizers has been meeting nearly weekly for the past six months and that dedication has led to phenomenal interest in the race. Rita Howell, Director of Community Relations for Memorial Hospital, said when they decided to support the race she thought if they had about 200 participants it would be a success. But the race has attracted participants for the half marathon and 5k from eight states and Canada. “As of today (Thursday) we have 669 registered participants,” she said. “It has grown well beyond my expectations.”

Runners can still register until the day of the event and registrations continue to trickle in from runners and first time runs. “If people are still wanting to register,” Howell said, “we are just asking they register as quickly as possible so we can be prepared for them.”

The draw of the race has would-be runners in the area inspired to get involved. According to Hochgesang the length of the race and the location may have a lot to do with the draw.

In response to the many first time runners, Hochgesang and his running partners formed a training group that has been meeting twice weekly for about 13 weeks. “We have had 78 people show up at our training,” Hochgesang said. “We’ve made a lot of good friends training together and after this weekend we are going to miss those training sessions.”

Come Sunday morning, residents are encouraged to line the race route and cheer on the half marathon runners. “This is really something for these participants to be running in this race,” Howell said. “We want to show that pride that we have in Dubois County and that spirit we have.”

The route proceeds from the Third Avenue bridge north on Mill Street, west on Ninth Street, south on Main Street, west on Second Street, south on Indiana Street, and crosses Hwy 231 at First Avenue. The half marathon then proceeds south on Truman Road, west on Andrew Lane, south on Kluemper Road, west on Shelyn Drive, south on Sunshine Drive, east on Division Road, south on Old Huntingburg Road, east on County Road 100 South, north on Kimball Boulevard, east on Twelfth Avenue, north on St. Charles Street, east on Northwood Avenue and 30th Street to Cathy Lane. The last section of the route takes the runners south on Cherry Street to 15th Street, where they will enter the Jasper Riverwalk to run through the finish line at Buehler Plaza.

The race will happen come rain or shine.

The Heartland Half Marathon & 5K Committee includes Kenny Hochgesang, Philip Wolf, Eric Rasche, Kevin Manley, Whitney Hall, Jessica Beck, Dr. Geoff Day, Tammy Love, Todd Mehringer, Jay Giesler, Susie Stetter, and Rita Howell. 

While Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center is serving as the corporate sponsor, the committee has received great support from other local organizations including platinum sponsors Heartland Cardiology Associates; Norris & Love Orthopedics & Sports; OFS Brands; Dubois Wood Products; and Walmart. Gold sponsors include German American; Stens; Velpen Disposal & Trucking Co., Inc.; Dubois County Visitors Center; Craig & Lange, PC; Woods Printing Company; Obermeyer Yamaha; and McDonalds. Silver sponsors include Jasper Rubber; Wabash Valley Produce; and Farbest Foods. Bronze donors include Circle A/Blimpies; Uebelhor Oil, Inc.; Best Home Furnishings; Tretter Physical Therapy; Freedom Bank; Azura Cafe; Uebelhor & Sons Toyota, Hometown Music, and Ewing Printing Co., Inc. Additional donors include Jasper Group, Matthews Duplex Rental, and The Windowbox.

Proceeds from this year’s race will be given to the Philip R. Dawkins Heart & Vascular Center at Memorial Hospital to be utilized for new integrative medicine services provided to cardiac patients. 

For more information, visit www.heartlandhalfmarathon.com or call Dubois County Visitors Center at 482-9115.