By Joe Geren
The Doc Pogue Memorial 5K Run/Walk is a “relaxed, fun” event, said Bridget Brokaw of Stronghurst, Ill., Saturday morning.
That might be easy for her to say since she was the overall winner, but it appeared all the runners were enjoying themselves.
“I love it because it’s family-oriented,” Brokaw said. “They did a good job keeping it relaxed and fun.”
“They” are the Stronghurst Booster Club, which hosts the event with Melinda Whiteman and Sara Lefler running the show on-site.
It was the ninth running of the Doc Pogue 5K and there will be one in 2024. “Next year will be the 10th and final one,” Whitman said. “Then they’ll find another way to honor Dr. Pogue.”
Dr. Robert Pogue served Stronghurst area residents from 1981 until his death in 2013, and, yes, he was a runner.
The event is so relaxed, there are no timing devices unless the runners carry their own. The course began and ended at Stronghurst Village Park.
Brokaw, 20, of Monmouth, Ill., was way out in front of the field. She’s been on the run for 12 years.
“My parents are runners,” she said, “so I’ve been running since I was eight. I’ve done the Bridge Run in Burlington.”
Brokaw just completed her sophomore year at the University of Illinois. “I run on a club team for cross country and track,” she said. Her next run will be the Rhubarb Run on June 3 in Aledo, Ill.
The top male runner Saturday was 10-year-old Tucker Corzatt. He doesn’t train for running, but he plays baseball and basketball.
Dr. Pogue’s two sons competed in the event.
The doctor “used to run before work or around the athletic fields when we practiced,” Luke Pogue said. “He always tried to stay fit.”
Silas Pogue “ran the Bix (in Davenport) with him,” he said. “That’s seven miles. He was fine (throughout the race), but I got light-headed.” Doc had Silas drive them home after the race and “we made it to Monmouth and I told Dad I didn’t think I could drive the rest of the way.
“He said, ‘Well, you got us this far. You might as well keep going.’ That’s the kind of guy he was.”
Next on the agenda for Stronghurst Village Park is the Stronghurst Booster Club’s 50th-anniversary celebration Saturday, June 3. There will be activities for all ages, entertainment, and games. Hot dogs will be offered from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
