Six Blackburn students, including two members of the men’s cross country team and two members of the women’s cross country team, joined Coach Sturgeon for a 6k road race at the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge on old Route 66 near Granite City, Illinois. The Blackburn contingent was also joined by Dr. Karl Luth, professor of chemistry and physics, along with his wife, Kelly. 

The race was sponsored by Spewak Racing, a running club in St. Louis, Missouri, that includes Blackburn cross country alum, Noah Daum. The inaugural race was a great success, and proceeds from the race went to support the fall cross country season of the St. Louis Charter Athletics League. In all, over 300 runners participated, including ten teams.

Coach Sturgeon said, “This was simply a chance for several of us to take part in a great community event, and for the cross country athletes it was a fantastic opportunity to get a taste of racing in the offseason. I was proud of everyone that participated, including Dr. Luth and his wife as well as Dade Bradley and Courtney Ohlrogge, two student leaders on campus. From our cross country teams, Locke, Olivia, and Quentin are all returners and ran very well for where their fitness levels are at right now, and I was proud of Keeleigh’s performance as the newest member of the team. She is quickly improving with each and every run.”

The official off-season period ends on April 16, but many team members expect to participate in a 5k hosted by the Work Office during Student Worker Appreciation Day on April 27.