1,150 Runners Help Raise $22,000 for Rochester Classrooms at Hometown Hustle

Runners braved frigid morning temperatures Saturday as more than 1,150 runners ran the eighth annual Hometown Hustle in Rochester, raising more than $22,000 for the Rochester Community Schools Foundation.

Eric Lohr of Lake Orion, a track and field coach and teacher at Adams High School, paced all runners with a 16:39.7 finish.

The 1,150-plus runners set a new record for the event, which drew more than 800 runners in 2012.

Lohr, who teaches physics and wilderness survival at Adams, ran his first Hometown Hustle on Saturday and apparently wasn't bothered by the colder temperature.

"I liked the cooler weather," he said.

Lohr was joined in the 5K by several of his track and field athletes from Adams. Their finish could be a good sign for Lohr's future track teams. Several of his freshmen won their respective age groups.

Funds raised at the event will help Lohr's employer, Rochester Community Schools. The Rochester Community Schools Foundation uses money raised at the Hometown Hustle and other fundraising efforts to issue grants to teachers in the district, Rochester Community Schools Foundation and district spokesperson Debra Hartman said.

"It was another great success, despite the chilly weather," Hartman said.

The Hometown Hustle is the foundation's largest fundraiser, she said. 

"We bring in about $22,000 for grant programs," she said, which allows staff members to apply for money to be used in the classroom.

The winners were as follows:

Female Open Winners

1. Jennifer Blackburn (Rochester), 39 years old, 14th overall, 20:50.4
2. Gabrielle Morton, 13 years old, 15th overall, 20:51.1

Male Open Winners

1. Eric Lohr (Lake Orion), 31 years old, first overall, 16:39.7
2. Matt Sullivan (Grosse Pointe), 25 years old, second overall, 17:02.1

Female Masters Winners

1. Anita Robinson (Rochester), 49 years old, 27th overall, 22:08.7
2. Jen Ziehl (Rochester), 42 years old, 44th overall, 23:51.1

Male Masters Winners

1. Michael Garrett (Rochester), 45 years old, 13th overall, 20:46.7
2. Robert Cardin (Rochester), 50 years old, 17th overall, 21:06.6

View the full results at RunMichigan.com.

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