(Milford)—It’s a big weekend this weekend for students, faculty and alum of the University of Okoboji. Dean of Student Affairs Herman Richter tells KUOO news it’s homecoming time again…(click here for comment.) “Gee, the events start bright and early Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. with the marathon leaving right there at the state pier in Arnolds Park. And then at 7:00 the triathlon will be on the beach right over there by Bob’s Dogs; then at 8:00 is the half marathon leaving the Wahpeton park over on ’86; then at 9:00 a 10K from the Methodist Camp. So all those events will be going on ending with the finish line back at Arnolds Park and then the awards ceremony at 11:00. Everyone is invited to cheer them along the way and watch the start of the events, especially that triathlon at 7:00 a.m. It’s pretty incredible!”
If early registration is any indication, Richter says they’re expecting an even bigger turnout this year than last…(click here for comment.) “Last year there was right at like about 30 states and gee, eight to nine hundred entries and we expect those numbers to be very, very close to that. And of course there’s the environmental dive that whole day going on right there in front of Blue Water Dive Shop, and all the other incredible activities: the Mau Marine Fireworks that night, the great concert in Preservation Plaza, and all the different activities. It’s just going to be an incredibly great weekend. Lots of great activities.”
Richter says this marks the 36th year for the University of Okoboji Homecoming…(click here for comment.) “It was back in 19 hundred and 78 that Bob Rose, Paul Williams and Steve Avery came to me and said Herman, we need a marathon in Okoboji. And of course that’s back in the wonderful Bobby Kennedy days of why not rather than why. So here we are 36 years later and everything. We’re just so grateful to the community opening up all the resources and the volunteers. It’s a massive undertaking and it’s just a real pride in our area event, the family event involves everybody and people come from all over the area.”
Anyone thinking about signing up for the running events needs to do so soon. Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. today (Thurs.) Registration and more information can be found at www.threesons.com. Click on the “marathon” link.
