Ward Repeats, Sellers Claims First Crown in 48th Annual Bellin Run

June 8, 2024

Nearly 8,000 participants filled the streets to participate in 2024 Bellin Run

Runners and walkers took to the streets of Green Bay on Saturday, June 8 for the 48th annual Bellin Run, which featured a 5K option for the second straight year alongside the traditional 10K race. The event saw a repeat champion in the men’s 10K, while the women’s title was claimed by a Bellin Run newcomer.

Jared Ward notched his fourth Bellin Run title on the men’s side, defeating fellow elite athlete Jacob Heslington in a down-to-the-wire finish with a time of 30:03. Heslington covered the 10K course in 30:04.

First-time participant and Bellin Run elite Sarah Sellers claimed the women’s 10K crown, breaking the tape in 35:12. A light rain kept temperatures in the low 60s as 7,893 participants took to the streets in the 48th annual Bellin Run.

Bellin’s elite athletes were heavily involved in this year’s pre-race activities, participating in Friday’s TRIUMPH Mile with Greatness charity fun run, as well as signing autographs during the Friday night Health & Wellness Expo at Astor Park.

The top 5 finishers in the men’s and women’s 10K races are as follows:

Men’s 10K Overall
1. Jared Ward, Mapleton, Utah – 30:03
2. Jacob Heslington, Provo, Utah – 30:04
3. Noah Jahnke, Green Bay – 31:08
4. David Ecker, Green Bay – 31:32
5. Mason Gates, Manitowoc –31:46

Women’s 10K Overall
1. Sarah Sellers, Ogden, Utah – 35:12
2. Allyson Verbauwhede, Whitelaw – 36:07
3. Elizabeth Kujawa, Berlin – 37:41
4. Liz Kanzleiter, Suamico – 37:48
5. Maggie Priebe, Green Bay – 37:51

The event’s 5K championship was claimed by Appleton’s Kenny Power, who finished the 3.1-mile route in 16:45. Lillian Guenther of Shawano finished in 19:29 to secure the victory on the women’s side.

Here are the top 5 male and female finishers in the men’s and women’s 5K races:

Men’s 5K Overall
1. Kenny Power, Appleton – 16:45
2. Noah Zhang, De Pere – 17:11
3. Daniel Zhang, De Pere– 17:24
4. Zach Kubicki, Green Bay – 17:49
5. Braeden Mattson, Green Bay – 18:10

Women’s 5K Overall
1. Lillian Guenther, Shawano – 19:29
2. Rebekah Buboltz, De Pere – 20:22
3. Katelyn Peterson, Denmark – 20:34
4. Grace Beyer, Shawano – 20:40
5. Hailie Peters, Kaukauna – 20:46

The overall course records did not fall. Joseph Kimani retains the men’s course record of 27:46, set in 1997; and Tegla Loroupe holds the women’s course record with a time of 31:48, set in 1999. There were, however, two new age group records set in the 48th annual running of the Bellin 10K:

• Males ages 70-74 — Joseph Reda III, 43:37
• Males ages 85 and over — Harry Belongy. 1:33:19

A number of course records were also set in the second edition of the Bellin 5K, which will be updated in the event record book soon.

The Bellin Run welcomed back 20 Legends, participants who have participated in every single Bellin Run since the event’s inception in 1977.

The Bellin Run’s two largest programs drew over 3,000 participants between them. More than 2,300 individuals from 130 companies participated in this year’s Corporate Challenge, while over 700 were part of Kids for Running. Close to 700 people volunteered their time for this year’s event.

Complete Bellin Run results are available through the Bellin Run website at www.bellinrun.com/post-race. The 49th annual Bellin Run will take place Saturday, June 14, 2025.