THE RACE IS ON!-- Morrison Rotary Hosts 2008 Harvest Hammer

The Harvest Hammer 5K run/walk and Duathalon will take place this year on September 20, 2008 at the High School in Morrison, Illinois.

Vicki Wiebenga, President of the Morrison Rotary Club, invited the former race director, Jim Prombo, to speak at a club meeting. As a result, the group agreed to organize this year’s event. Prombo, a former Rotarian and retired elementary school principal will be assisting the club to insure a smooth transition.

Earlier this year, the future of the race became uncertain when members of the Harvest Hammer Committee stepped down after decades of devoted service to the race. Wiebenga is pleased that Morrison Rotary will now host the annual race.

“It would have been a great loss to cancel this year’s event, because the race has become a Morrison tradition and is an important part of Morrison’s Fall festivities,” said Wiebenga.

The Harvest Hammer offers school age runners an opportunity to build self confidence by finishing a short fun run with the every child receiving enthusiastic crowd support as they cross the finish line, according to Prombo.

The first 500 entrants will receive a newly designed long sleeved harvest hammer shirt, and the possibility of winning a new bike and age group awards. The entry fees for the Wee and Fun runs are $8.00 and the Challenge entry fee is $10.00. Those races begin at 8:15 on Saturday, September 20, 2008.

The 5k race and separate Duathalon begin immediately after the children’s races. The 5K run entry fee is $12.00 and includes a shirt. For interested duathletes, the 5k run is combined with a 21 mile bike ride. The duathalon can be completed by individuals competing in both events or teams comprised of a separate runner and rider. The categories for duathletes include male team, female team, co-ed team, individual female, individual male. The entry fee for the Duathalon is $20.00.

Wiebenga added, “We are hoping local athletes will participate in this years race so the tradition will continue with Rotary next year as well. ” The day continues with separate events in downtown Morrison, including Paint the Town activities for children and a Baggo tournament for all to enjoy.

Harvest Hammer entry forms are available on-line at Harvest Hammer or at Morrison City Hall, local sports centers, and at the following sponsor’s locations: Morrison Community Hospital, Community State Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Hardees, Vend-o-Mack, theCity1.com, Sullivan’s Foods, William Simpson D.D.S., Schuler Motors, Waste Management, Climco Coils, Main Street Market, Blackhawk Lumber, Morrison Post, The National Bank, Al & Randy’s Construction, General Electric, 1st Presbyterian Church, Harkness Auto Group, Morrison Blacktop, Farmer’s National Bank, Sentinel, in Morrison, WZZT, Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson Law Office, Pignatelli Law Office, Mead Bicycle Shop, in Sterling, KCLN, Clinton, IA & Vision Quest, Lake Bluff, IL.