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Frankenmuth News

Serving Frankenmuth Since 1906

Vol. 117 No. 29 - In our 117th year!

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

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Winterlaufe numbers rise to over 500 participants

  The 2023 Winterlaufe 8K Run & Walk appears to be getting back to normal numbers of participants following two years of operating under COVID-19 parameters in 2021 and 2022.

  Organized and operated by the Frankenmuth Jaycees, the races will take place on Saturday, February 4, with the start and finish line on Gunzenhausen Street, just north of the Nickless-Hubinger Mill. The runners will take off at 10am, followed by the walkers at 10:05am. Jon Genow’s cannon will start the races.

  At one point, the races attracted about 700 runners and walkers. Last year, nearly 350 took to the course or used the virtual option, which is gone for 2023.

  Winterlaufe Chairperson Sara Boyd and Co-Chairperson Melissa Wilkinson are happy to report the numbers are back up.

  “We are at 478 participants currently, which is up 45 percent from last year at this time,” Boyd said Monday morning. “We hope to get over 500 participants this year. Over the past several years, numbers have gone down as a result of COVID-19, however, we are very thankful to see the numbers back up and we are hoping for a good year.”

  The Winterlaufe headquarters will be the Bavarian Inn Restaurant’s Crest Room. On Friday, February 3, from 5-7pm, the Crest Room will be open to pick up registered items or for late registration. Saturday, the Crest Room will be open 8-10am before the races for pick up and registration.

  “We are still in need of volunteers for Saturday, from 9am until noon. Interested persons should meet in the Crest Room and look for the volunteer table,” Boyd noted.

  The course remains unchanged from past years, although Boyd, Wilkinson and the Jaycees are hoping for warmer conditions than last year where temperatures opened in the single digits.

  The route starts on Gunzenhausen Street, heading north to West Tuscola Street where it turns west, crosses Dehmel Road, continues down hilly Tuscola Road, then turns south on Beyer Road, crossing the historic 1904 Gugel Bridge and travels on the gravel road about halfway to Curtis Road where the participants hit a turnaround and reverse the course back to the Gunzenhausen Street starting line.

  Race registration on or before February 3 is $40; $50 the day of the race. The economy option offers no medal and is $25 before February 3; $35 the day of the race.

  The Winterlaufe will provide finisher medals to all participants, except economy, in both the run and walk. The overall male and female finishers and top two in each age group in the 8K run and walk will be recognized. The age group categories have been changed for both events.

  The run categories are 13 and under, 14-17, 18-23, 24-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70 and older while the walk age groups are 14 and under, 15-25, 26-36, 37-47, 48-58, 59-69 and 70 and older. The awards will be handed out in the Inn’s Crest Room.

  Winterlaufe vendors located inside the Crest Room include Turtle Gloves, Runner’s Athletic Company, Inspire Pelvic Physical Therapy – Dr. Madison Roth, American Culinary Federation, IV Lounge, Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts.

  Sponsors include the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott, Frankenmuth Credit Union, Edward Jones – Offices of Michael Southgate and Doyle Webb, McClellan Properties, Schaefer & Bierlein Chrysler Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat; T. Dub’s Pizzeria & Pub, Tiffany’s Food & Spirits, Emil Rummel Agency and McDonald’s of Frankenmuth.

  All proceeds from the Winterlaufe are donated to local causes.

  “Some examples of where donations go are the local police and fire departments, the Frankenmuth Farmers Market, Frankenmuth Schools and other causes within the community.” Boyd said.

  For more information, visit the Frankenmuth Jaycees Races Facebook page or the website, runfrankenmuth.enmotive.com.