Over 190 Runners charge off the line to start the 2023 Freedom 5K Run / Walk in Memory of Spc. Robert Friese.
Tyler Sobleskey #3231 (Right) held off the competition to become this year’s top overall finisher followed by Phillip Hale #3275 (Left) in second place.
Runners Alex Jansen and Tyler Quitliano go neck and neck as they charge for the finish-line in the Male 13-15 Age Group. Jansen squeezed out the class victory over Quitliano by a whisker thin margin at the line with both boys finishing with a course time of 27:59.8.
Overall Female Winner Ava Robinson # 3216 of Farwell pours it on to the finish-line in a battle with Emma Stotzel of Clare who finished 10th overall and won the female 12 and under class.
Over 190 Runners charge off the line to start the 2023 Freedom 5K Run / Walk in Memory of Spc. Robert Friese.
Article and Photos
By Steve Landon
Overcast skies and the threat of rain failed to deter over 192 participants, from converging on Veterans Freedom Park in Harrison last Saturday for the 12th annual Freedom 5K Run/Walk in memory of Spec. Robert Friese and all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation.
Spec. Robert Friese, a 2007 graduate from Harrison High School served his country as a proud member of the US ARMY. On April 29, 2011 he gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Iraq. Today his memory lives on thanks to several volunteers and runners from around the state who come together each year for the Freedom 5k Run/Walk. Proceeds from the event benefit maintenance, operation and improvements to the park.
Robert’s mother, Cindy Friese was on hand once again to send the impressive field on their way at 10:00 a.m. Throughout event she was encouraging and cheering on runners and walkers right on through the finish-line. She has not missed any of the runs, nor has Lori Minterferring whose daughter Brittany was Spec. Robert Friese finance
At the 2019 5k run / walk Cindy Friese said “I feel very honored that my son has not been forgotten for giving his life for our freedoms”. That feeling of pride in her son’s service and gratitude to all the participants was clearly evident again this year.
In addition to being remembered through the Freedom 5k Spec. Friese memory lives on along U.S. 27. On April 26,2019 a stretch of US 27 running from the south Harrison exit north through business route 27 to just south of the north U.S 27 expressway exit became officially known as the Spec. Robert Friese Memorial Highway.
Having won in 2022 with a time of 18:19 .4 Tyler Sobleskey returned to do it all again posting a time of 19:50.9 to become this year’s top overall finisher. Phillip Hale finished second overall posting a time of 20:00.9 followed by Justice Walraven in third with a time of 20:58.3
Ava Robinson of Farwell, MI was the top female finisher and 9th best overall finisher. She posted an impressive time of. 25:47.3
To check out complete in-depth results and times go to https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/54033#resultSetId-313036;perpage:100
Thanks to fine sponsors volunteers and strong determined runners this year’s event was a total success. If you’re in Harrison take a minute to visit Veterans Freedom Park. Thank those that have and continue to serve and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so you might continue to enjoy the freedom we have today.