A balmy fall morning on Sat., Sept. 29 set the stage for another well-attended Plymouth Fire Department annual 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run. Adult participation was just four short of the 2010 record of 457, while the Kids Fun Run drew the most runners to date at 135 participants.
 
It was a race to the finish for top runners in both the men’s and women’s categories. First place for men went to Scott Myers of Plymouth, who broke his previous record with a time of 17 minutes and 04 seconds. Scott’s wife, Andrea Myers, took first place for women with a time of 20 minutes, 21 seconds.
 
Second and third place in the men’s category went to Adam Himes of Plymouth with 17 minutes, 24 seconds and Scott Davis of Maple Grove with 18 minutes and .06 minutes. Jennifer Brady-Johnson of Medina took second for women with a time of 20 minutes, 56 seconds and Molly Tannuzzo of Plymouth took third with a time of 20 minutes and 56.7 seconds.
 
For the first time, awards were given to the top three firefighters in the race. Plymouth’s Brandon Johnson came in first with a time of 19 minutes and 48 seconds, Mark Nelson of Ham Lake came in second at 20 minutes and 07 seconds and Tim Peterson of Plymouth took third with 21 minutes, 33 seconds.
 
A total of 26 firefighters from 15 departments joined runners from 67 communities. Some of the runners came from as far away as California and Washington.
 
Participants enjoyed more than a run. They got a chance to check out some of the city’s fire equipment, including Engine #31, Plymouth’s newest fire truck. Chris Freytag, fitness expert and KARE 11 TV personality started the race, after taking the runners through some warm-up exercises. Refreshments were waiting for the runners at the end of the race. 

The Plymouth Fire Department is grateful to the 64 businesses, 75 volunteers, Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth and the Medicine Lake Run Group for helping put on the safe, fun community event.
 
Proceeds from the 5K Run/Walk will benefit the Plymouth Firefighters’ Relief Association. 
 
Results of the Fire Department 5K 

Photos by Carolyn Marti Smith
Firefighters from 14 other departments joined Plymouth firefighters for the 5K Run/Walk event. (photo right)  
 
At 90, Norm Olson was the most senior participant in the Plymouth Fire Department’s 5K Run Walk event. Hoping to return next year for the seventh time, Olson was grateful that the event included walkers. (photo left)