All for the ice cream

Victory never tasted so good. And whether it was the first person to cross the finish line, a runner collecting their personal best time or just friends out for a walk for a good cause, everyone who participated in the Jersey Freeze Frosty Nose Cold Toes 5K was treated to ice cream after a successful race.

An estimated 200 people came out for the 5K Saturday, staged in downtown Monroe. That figure would make it the most successful event since it started six years ago.

“If we hit 200, I’m going to be thrilled,” organizer Andrea Steenhoek said. “It went really good. I remember the year we were plowing a snow path, so this year was great.”

The fifth annual race was back after taking a year off due to the pandemic. Those who registered in 2020 were able to forward their entry fee if completed ahead of time and it looks like many of them did with great out-of-town turnout.

“I think about 68 percent of those participating are from out of town, which is great,” Steenhoek said.

A giant arch served as the starting gate and finish line, along with dozens of volunteers, friends and family waiting with cheers and applause for all those who competed. Celebration music could be heard throughout downtown as runners and walkers received their medals and snacked on ice cream to finish off the event.

A fundraiser for Monroe’s Old Settlers in August, all dollars collected go to help put on the long-standing annual celebration. Sponsoring the event along with Jersey Freeze were businesses including CD Bodyshop, T. Bellon Trucking, Vader Broek Farms, Leighton State Bank, Salon Essence, Van Ryswyk Plumbing and Heating, Iowa Realty Newton and Fore Seasons Golf.

“Is this fun or what? I like to help the Old Settlers committee and it is also a good way to promote Jersey Freeze,” Jersey Freeze owner Lynn Donahue said. “It is a good fundraiser. And that’s the name of the game, get people to recognize Monroe, this is a great town.”

Leading all competitors was Thomas Hlad with a time of 19:10.66. Tracy Daugherty clocked in first for all women at 21:05.53. A full list of the results can be found on the events Facebook page.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com