The 4th Annual Beef and Eggs 5k has concluded, leaving everyone with full bellies and fond memories. The wind died down just in time to greet 167 race finishers and a new women’s course record! Sheena Dauer, former SDSU Cross Country and Track standout living in St. Cloud, MN, took the lead from the gun and didn’t look back. Sheena destroyed her own course record of 17:42 by 44 seconds, finishing in 16:58 and grabbing the $250 first place prize in the process. After Dauer came Brookings native Becka Foerster (formerly Mansheim) with a time of 18:27. The duo of Dauer and Foerster have now finished 1st and 2nd at Beef and Eggs in all four years of its existence. Current Jackrabbit standout and 11:09 steeple chaser Nicole Davis rounded out the top three with a 19:20 debut performance.
On the men’s side, SDSU alumni Chris Gruenhagen backed up his last year’s runner up performance with his first Beef and Eggs victory. In contrast to the women’s side, the men’s race has recognized 4 different individual champions. Gruenhagen took the lead from Andrew Van Nurden shortly after the first mile to capture his narrow 6 second victory in 15:14. Van Nurden came in 2nd with a time of 15:20, while current Jackrabbit standout Marshall Kambestad had just enough in the tank to hold off Minneapolis’ Ed Whetham in 15:42 and 15:49, respectively. The men’s race provided excitement as Chris claimed the narrowest margin of victory seen at Beef and Eggs.
Mac’s Catering provided this year’s highly acclaimed Beef and Eggs breakfast, along with contributions from Hagman’s Bakery and HyVee. We would also like to thank our main sponsors First Bank and Trust, David Meyer Orthodontics, and the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Auxiliary for their continued support. Also, thank you Foerster Distributing, Harry Mansheim and Brookings Engraving for donating our new banner, Steve Hiedeman and family for help with the chip timing system, and Bob Bartling (Bartling’s Shoes) for his support. Finally, thank you to all of our volunteers, family and friends for making this event possible. We hope everyone had a great time and we look forward to seeing you again July 11th, 2009!
Run for Beef & Eggs was created to give the community of Brookings and surrounding area the best road race possible. Not only does the race give elite runners in the area a chance to compete for top cash prizes, but also gives families and community members a chance to enjoy a short tour of Brookings while getting some exercise and, of course, some breakfast! Run for Beef & Eggs provides a fast, shaded course, race t-shirt, door prizes, top cash prizes, and a complete Beef & Eggs breakfast!
During race weekend Brookings also hosts the Brookings Summer Arts Festival (www.bsaf.com), where over 400 artist and food vendors, children's activities, a living history area and entertainment on 4 stages attract thousands from around the region.
