Freaky 5K Helps Support Local Y

Runners take off on the inaugural Freaky 5K on Saturday morning.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Fitness events have found their way into the local conscience, and the Mahaska County YMCA’s Freaky 5K is just one more example of the embrace Oskaloosa has made of the format.

The day featured two races, the first being the Kids Fun Run where youngsters took to the track at the Lacey Complex Community Stadium for several laps around the new surface.

The main race was the 5K race, where over 60 runners had signed up to participate. Runners started from the infield of the stadium, taking off into the cool morning air.

Most 5K races feature the latest in running attire, but this race was destined to be different. Superman ran alongside a recent graduate, who was taking on the Greatest American Hero.

Ryan Harkema, Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Director for the Mahaska County YMCA, has envisioned this day since first coming to Oskaloosa.
“We wanted to do a big fitness event and try to make it one that would stick,” said Harkema. He says that with all the different events and 5K in the area, and said that after committee meetings, they wanted something that was not only a race but something fun as well.

Harkema said that with all of the support from the community and the corporate partners like Clow, and after overcoming a few bumps in the road, that they have had more registrations than he initially thought they would.

Harkema said he believes 5K’s have become popular because of the wide range of age groups that can potentially be involved. He also believes that the emphasis on healthy lifestyles are also a driving factor behind the increase in similar events.

Harkema wanted to thank the corporate sponsors of; Clow, Curves, Mahaska Bottling, Mahaska Health Partnership, Mahaska Drug along with Worksystems Rehab.