City of Elkhart celebrates 17th annual Frosty Five Run for runners and walkers of all experience levels and ages

The Frosty Five Run came back to Elkhart for the 17th annual race on Saturday, February 14. This event is put on every year by the City of Elkhart’s Parks & Recreation Department, and it was presented this year by Goshen Orthopedics.

Members of the community were invited on the second weekend of February to participate in two different options: a 5-mile and a 5K option. Runners and walkers of all experience levels were able to get their blood pumping in the morning.

Liz Stoutenour, City of Elkhart Parks & Recreation Department Event Coordinator, believes this event is a great opportunity to bring the community together, regardless of their running background.

“The best part of this race is that it’s a smaller race; it’s not as crowded. It’s great for all demographics,” said Stoutenour. “I love it because it’s also not just street running. You get to go along the River Greenway Trail. There’s scenery to look at, and not just backyards and people’s houses.”

With this year being the 17th celebration of the Frosty Five Run, Stoutenour is ecstatic with how this event has continued to grow and become a tradition for the Elkhart community.

“It’s one of the only cold weather races that we have in this area. We do get a lot of people who are returning every year; they wear shirts from previous years,” said Stoutenour. “It’s an event that people look forward to.”

More than 350 runners or walkers registered for this year’s event. The race began at Studebaker Park. From there, the course took the competitors through local streets, along the River Greenway Trail, around the Elkhart Environmental Center, and a return to Studebaker Park at the end of the race.

All of the participants had a chance to network before and after the race.

“We have a couple of our different sponsors here today like Fleet Feet, Rain, and we do a run-a-thon. Fleet Feet is on their Fleet Feet Race Series. This event allows them to get runners from all over the Region,” said Stoutenour. “Runners also don’t often see each other this time of year. It’s one of the first events of the year for many of them, and allows them to connect with each other.”

With this year’s event taking place on Valentine’s Day, some people get a chance to share their love for cardio. For others, this year’s Frosty Five Run might have been their first big race. Many race participants decided to enter this year’s event with their loved ones to celebrate the day with a motivated morning.

As this event has continued to grow over the years, Stoutenour hopes that this year’s event can help strengthen the love for being active whenever possible.

“The City of Elkhart Parks and Recreation strive to get people out into the elements and out into the parks to make sure they’re staying active. This event is just one more way that we can add something that the community that brings us all together,” said Stoutenour.

Each year, the City of Elkhart decides to renew this event because it helps contestants feel proud, energized, and excited to come back for the next one.

“We have a good following because we like to give away great giveaways. We have a beanie that all of our finishers get. It’s something that they can look forward to every time they sign up. They can ask, ‘What new runner giveaway are they doing this year?’ And it keeps them motivated to come back,” said Stoutenour.

Many participants completed the course along with their dog. Each participant received a finisher hat once they crossed the finish line. The top three male and female finishers from both distances received an award. The top three winners in 15 standard age groups received a medal for both distances as well.

While it wasn’t the warmest or coldest Frosty Five Run that the City of Elkhart has ever hosted, the race still remains as an exciting challenge for everyone who tackled it. Participants were also welcome to take advantage of a fire going in the cabin to stay cozy before and after the race. Refreshments such as coffee, cocoa, fruit, trail mix, and more were available in the Pavilion once everyone finished the race.

For more information on the City of Elkhart, you can visit cityofelkhartin.gov.