Elite Field Announced for 2024 Bellin Run

May 28, 2024

Defending Bellin Run champion Jared Ward and local Olympic biathlete Deedra Irwin will headline an impressive field of athletes competing in the 48th annual Bellin Run on Saturday, June 8.

Ward is now a three-time Bellin Run champion, having captured the men’s title in 2019, 2022 and 2023. While not vying for the win, Pulaski native Irwin will bring an added level of excitement and prestige to the event. In 2022, she placed seventh in the biathlon at the Beijing Olympics — the best Olympic finish ever by an American in that sport.

On the men’s side, Bellin Run newcomer Jacob Heslington will challenge Ward for the 10K title. A track standout who can also go the distance, Heslington has a marathon personal best of 2:17:40 and was a competitor at this year’s Olympic Marathon Trials.

The women’s elite field also boasts three 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials competitors — Sarah Sellers, Sara Lopez and defending Bellin Run champion Kathy VanDehy of Menasha.

Sellers’ career highlights include a second-place finish at the 2018 Boston Marathon, while Lopez won the 2023 Eugene Marathon in a speedy 2:33:48. Both women will be competing in their first Bellin Run. VanDehy, a local standout who took home last year’s Bellin Run crown with a time of 35:16, will toe the line fresh off a victory in the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon.

Community members and myTEAM TRIUMPH athletes and support teams will have the opportunity to run alongside the Bellin Run’s invited elite athletes in this year’s TRIUMPH Mile of Greatness on Friday, June 7 at 5 p.m. Now in its second year with a revamped format, this Friday event combines two race weekend favorites — the TRIUMPH Mile and Run with Greatness. The goal of this event is to provide a health-enhancing and mentor-building opportunity for individuals with disabilities by using a team-based endurance athletic approach. All are welcome to join in the fun and, if able, encouraged to donate to myTEAM TRIUMPH’s deserving cause during the event. Participants are invited to look for individuals with collection jugs or contribute online if they wish to donate. Learn more at www.myteamtriumph-wi.org.

The Bellin Run welcomes runners and walkers of all levels and abilities. Registration is available online at www.bellinrun.com.

Online registration for the Bellin Run is $40 per person through Saturday, June 1 and $45 from June 2-6. In-person registration at the Friday, June 7 expo in Astor Park is $50.

The half-mile Children’s Run (ages 10 and younger) will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, June 7. The registration fee is $15 per participant through June 6, when online registration ends. In-person registration on Friday, June 7 will be $20 per participant.

The 48th annual Bellin Run will take place at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 8. For more information or to register, visit bellinrun.com. Follow the Bellin Run on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.