Blaufuss run raises $10,000 for scholars
Emporia State University
Monday, May 4, 2009
The fourth annual John Blaufuss Memorial Run/Walk at Emporia State University raised approximately $10,000 for student scholarships Saturday morning. More than 165 participants joined the event.
The five-kilometer running and two-mile walking courses ran through the ESU campus area. Participants young and old walked the circuit around the ESU campus, talking and smiling; a few on the walking path pushed strollers. A crowd of volunteers cheered the walkers into their final stretch, shouting encouragement.
Finishes for the 5K run were clocked, and Mark Kucza (18:33), Jacob Kucza (18:34) and Will Rowland (19:08) were recognized as the fastest finishers in the men’s category. Audrey Sherman (24:04), Beth Rowland (24:17) and Chelsea Blaufuss (24:32), were recognized as the fastest runners in the women’s category.
Blake Davis, associate director of annual programs and event coordinator, recognized the top three male and female finishers at the reception and directed them to their medals. Dorothy Blaufuss, wife of the late John Blaufuss and an ESU alumna as well, spoke on the memory of her husband and his commitment to raising scholarship dollars for ESU students.
Proceeds from the Blaufuss Run/Walk are dedicated to the ESU general scholarship fund. This year’s champion sponsor was Barnhart Builders of Olpe. Joining the list of sponsors were Bobby D’s Merchant Street BBQ, Emporia Fitness, Sodexo and Walburn’s Fitness and Wellness, as well as the Blaufuss family and several other area businesses.
John Blaufuss, formerly controller at ESU, was killed while jogging in December 2005. He worked at ESU for more than 30 years, was a firm believer in supporting ESU and contributed to numerous scholarship funds for students. At the first Blaufuss Run/Walk in 2006, ESU dedicated a statue of Corky the Hornet in Union Square in honor of Blaufuss.
myshortsareshort (anonymous) says...
You have the top two finishers flip-flopped. Jacob was first, Mark second. Also, I've heard the Gazette or ESU had a problem with the winner's uniform saying "Kansas" and requested his shirt be changed for a picture. Why would that be? Is that why there are no photos of the top finishers as well?
May 4, 2009 at 5:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
Thank you for alerting us to the error in the results. Jacob Kucza did finish first ahead of Mark Kucza. The news release submitted had the names reversed.
I don't know anything about comments by a photographer. The Gazette was unable to photograph the event. The only photos we received came from ESU and did not include any finishers.
Gwen Larson
Managing Editor
May 5, 2009 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )