Run Captured In Photos

Fighting at the finish	Runners finishing	Out of the gates	Course record breaker Matt Chesang

'Back in Shape Run' Winner Sets Course Record

Matt Chesang, of Kansas, was the top finisher in Northwestern Health Sciences University’s Back in Shape Run on June 23, shattering the course record and finishing with one of the top road-race times in the state of Minnesota. Finishing in 14:04, Chesang won $1,250 — part of the largest prize purse in the state of Minnesota. The top-finishing female was Bethany Brewster of Wisconsin, who finished in an impressive 17:21. Brewster won $1,500 — $1,000 for being the top female finisher and $500 for being the top American female finisher.

Blistering speed was necessary to winning the race. In fact, the first five runners crossed the finish line in under 14:35, times that would have made them winners last year and were among the fastest 5K finishes in the state this year.

“This was a very fast pace,” said Chesang, who shattered the course record by more than 40 seconds. “I’ve run 14:00, but not in a road race. This was one of my fastest times.”

“I knew when I saw the competition that it would be a fast race,” added Antonio Vega, of Minneapolis, who finished fifth.

A total of 285 people participated in the Back in Shape Run, a 31 percent increase over last year. Eighty-five participated in the 5K walk and 65 children took part in the kids’ 1/4-mile and 1/2-mile races. Additionally, three mascots competed in a special mascot race; Northwestern’s  mascot, Vinnie the Vertebrate, was the winner.

The event featured a difficult course that attracted runners from around the world. Chesang traveled from Kansas to compete in the event. Others came from Colorado, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Arizona and Florida. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to raise pledges for Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People, which provides a range of basic services that fulfill an immediate need in people’s lives and position them for long-term success.

Among the perks offered to participants were an outlandish post-race buffet, free massages, access to indoor bathrooms, free use of the University’s heated pool, and a variety of prizes, including airline tickets, theater tickets, and gift certificates. Additionally, the race offered the state’s largest prize purse for a 5K — $6,550.  The purse included a $1,000 cash prize for the top male and top female finishers; a $500 cash prize for the top finishing male and female Americans; a $500 cash prize for the race’s second-place male and female runners; a $300 cash prize for the race’s third-place male and female runners; a $200 cash prize for the race’s fourth-place male and female runners; a $100 cash prize for the race’s fifth-place male and female runner; $25 Visa gift cards for the first-place male and female finishers in each of 15 age categories; and $10 Visa gift cards to the second- and third-place male and female finishers in each of 15 age categories. Additionally, all 22 first-time runners received a medal. Setting a course record was worth a $250 bonus.

To see photos from the 2006 run, click here.