County's longest running race returns Sunday

By Laurie Gordon
NEWTON — In the world of running, many races come and go, but one popular event has endured the test of time, morphing and reinventing itself as needed to stay alive. The Stampede 5K and Mile Run will be held for its 21st year at Lodestar Park, on Route 94 in Newton, this Sunday, May 29 at 10 a.m. New this year, the event will offer something unique and special as participants will hear music throughout the race.
“The course will be a triple loop around the park this year so not only will it be super spectator-friendly, but runners and walkers will be able to hear the DJ's music for the entire way,” said Bill Bosmann, a long-time Sparta resident. “I've done this race most every year they've had it and what's great about it is the beauty of the park, the entry fee is the lowest around and the home-baked goodies afterward are something I always look forward to.”
The race benefits The Bears Youth Running Program which, in an era of cell phones, texting and social media overload, gets kids out running to enjoy the many physical and mental benefits of the sport. The Bears Youth Running Program has included over 1,000 kids over the past 21 years.
Newton High School senior, Gavin DeYoung, went through the Bears Program and now volunteers as an assistant coach. “The Bears is so great for the kids. They may arrive stressed from school, but always once they get running, they seem more relaxed and just have fun. It's a great program and seeing the kids enjoy the sport of running is great.”
The Stampede is about community and to this end will feature some great gift certificates to local businesses to the three male and female finishers. Another hallmark of the event is that the top three in 10-year age groups will receive actual chocolate medals.
The Stillwater Stampede was born 21 years ago and was held at the Stillwater Elementary School for its first few years. Due to the race's growth and concerns for safety on the original road course, the race moved to Swartswood State Park. “At both of these first two locations, the Stillwater Police Department was a phenomenal help blocking off traffic and providing assistance in any way they could,” Bosmann said.
For the next bunch of years, an increase in the amount of prize money offered for the top three men and women saw elite runners from all over the world making their way to Stillwater for the event. The number of area races being held in the spring increased, and the amount of available sponsors declined, so the race committee decided to phase the Stampede into more of a community event, offering gift certificates to area stores to the top three males and females and featured locally homemade jam for age group prizes.
After many years at Swartswood, the disbandment of the Stillwater Police Department and bureaucracy at the park forced the Stampede to look for a new home. The Fredon Recreation Commission took the race in with open arms, and four years ago, the race was renamed “The Stampede,” and moved to bucolic Lodestar Park.
“Lodestar is an excellent venue for our event,” said long-time participant Al Siuta, “The varied terrain is a big hit with the runners, and the way the race sets up, they can hear music most of the time that they are out on the course.“
“Something very unique about the Stampede is its low cost,” Siuta said, “Where most running races cost upward of $35 to enter these days, the Stampede is $15 for pre-entry and $20 the day of the race which is pretty much unheard of these days.” This is because of the Stampede's marquis sponsor, The Law Office of Jeffrey S. Katz and secondary sponsors and the Back on Track Agency.
This Sunday's event will offer special high-quality travel mugs donated by Katz for the first 125 to register. “The race and the Bears Program are special to me and I'm happy to sponsor,” Katz said.
Additional sponsors include: Dominick's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Runner's Haven, Riviera Tan, The Nutrition Store, Andover Hunt and Fish and Takacs Chiropractic.
IF YOU GO
The Stampede 5K and Mile Fun Run
This Sunday, May 29
10 am at Lodestar Park, Newton
For information, call 973-362-8006 or e-mail BearsRunningClub@aol.com