2nd Annual John’s Baby Steps 5K a Success!

John D Gomke

John D Gomke 5k 2011-1The 2nd Annual John’s Baby Steps 5K Goes The Distance!
Adel, Iowa. October 15th, 2011.

Volunteers gathered at the Kinnick-Feller Park at 6:00 a.m. putting together the final touches for the race.

The air was crisp as Kevin of Open Road setup and calibrated the digital timer under a park light as dawn started to peak through the dense tree covering of the park.

John D Gomke 5k 2011-5At 6:30 “Day of” registrants were getting signed in and fitted with digital markers.

Over the next hour and a half, race participants and their families gathered in the park. Spirits were high.

At 8:00 Carly Kuhse, flawlessly sang the National Anthem.

Runners moved to the North end of the park for the “Shot Gun” start at 8:10.


John D Gomke 5k 2011-6The course proceeded through the Oakdale Cemetery for the first leg.

Runners then proceeded east along N9th turning south on Grove St.

They turned east at N14th proceeding pass Prairie St., and turning north onto 9thSt.

The runners then ran west on N 9th st. with a north leg around the pool crossing the Finish Line at the starting point.


John D Gomke 5k 2011-2The first to cross the Finish line was 19 year old Joshua Andersen of Adel with a winning time of 21:31.8.

Following closely were Bart Smith, 32, Clear Lake, time of 22:19.0, Trevor Danner, 15, Adel, time of 22:22.6, Quinn Hildman, and Wesley Yoder, 16, Redfield, time of 23:27.9,.

Finishing First in the Female Division was Maggie Nugent, 35, Adel, time of 23:51.1.

John D Gomke 5k 2011-3Nearly 70 runners participated in this year’s run, some in their 70’s and 80’s.

New this year to the race was the Tot Trot with races for ages 5 and under, 6-9, and 10-12.

The youth races proved to be a hit with the kids as the entire park cheered them on as they crossed the Finish lines.

Runners were treated to water, bananas, and pizza.

Wrapping up the days events was the Raffle as prizes were announced and the Place and Gender prizes were awarded.

Look for more photos to come in the following days at the John D. Gomke website

Place, Age, and Gender Results:

Overall winner with a time of 21:31.8, Joshua Andersen of Adel, age 19!

19 & under Male:

  • 1st Place – Joshua Andersen, 19 , Adel, time of 21:31.8
  • 2nd Place – Trevor Danner, 15, Adel, time of 22:22.6
  • 3rd Place – Wesley Yoder, 16, Redfield, time of 22:22.6

20-39 Male:

  • 1st Place – Bart Smith, 32, Clear Lake, time of 22:19.0
  • 2nd Place – Quinn Hildman, 31, Waukee, time of 22:43.2
  • 3rd Place – Jason Belgarde, 30, Adel, time of 28:27.6

40 & Over Male:

  • 1st Place – Michael Fisher, 42, Adel, time of 23:31.0
  • 2nd Place – Dave Danner, 48,  Adel, time of 24:00.9
  • 3rd Place – Brad Mills, 52, Waukee, time of 24:39.1

20-30 Female:

  • 1st Place – Maggie Nugent, 35, Adel, time of 23:51.1
  • 2nd Place – Ashley Vanderheiden, 25, Urbandale, time of 27:04.2
  • 3rd Place – Jeanna McBAin, 32, Urbandale, time of 27:16.0

40 & Over Female:

  • 1st Place – Janean Griffith, 52, Panora, time of 24:53.3
  • 2nd Place – Barb Kruger, 50, Adel,  time of 28:59.9
  • 3rd Place – Anne Heselhuhn, 44, Ade, time of 29:39.9

Full race results can be found at: www.fitnesssports.com


John D. Gomke Charity
PO Box 613
De Soto, Iowa 50069
Website: johndgomkecharity.org