In the year 2000, a total of $2,000 in prize money will be awarded to the top finishers in the SPAM JAM 5-mile run.

Friday, June 30, 2000

In the year 2000, a total of $2,000 in prize money will be awarded to the top finishers in the SPAM JAM 5-mile run. The first overall male and female finisher will each be awarded $1,000. The prize money is to celebrate the new millennium and the 10th year of SPAM JAM. The race starts at 9 a.m. Saturday morning at the site of SPAM JAM, East Side Lake.

There also will be large plaques awarded in 19 different age group categories.

Over the years the run has gotten bigger and bigger with faster and faster times, changing names from the Hog Jog to the SPAM 5-mile run.

"We started the Hog-Jog in 1983," Race organizer Dave Dammen said. "City council member Al Grover and myself put it together and we had about 30 runners. The first few years we ran at 4 in the afternoon on the Fourth. There were some hot days. We then got associated with the SPAM JAM festival."

Last year there were 335 runners in the race. Already more than 300 runners have entered and Dammen looks to have more than 400 runners at the start.

"We might get a few more top runners because of the prize money," Dammen said, "but most of the increase is just do to the popularity of the event."

One of the favorites to win the women’s race is Kelly Keeler from Bloomington. Two weeks ago Keeler won the Grandma’s half-marathon in Duluth. Keeler also finished 17th overall at the U.S. Marathon Olympics trials in February. She posted the best finish for a Minnesota woman, 2:43.33.

Another participant will be "SPAM Man" Bob Brubaker. The 47-year old triathlete will be a part of the four-day SPAM TOWN, USA festival. He along with the Cartoon’s Network ‘Shaggy’ are the Grand Marshals of the Independence day parade. Brubaker’s wife Jan will also be in the race.

Last minute entries can be made the day of the race. Registration is at the tent area at the far south end of SPAM JAM at East Side Lake from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. Entry fee is $18 and includes a commemorative SPAM T-shirt.

1999’s male winner was Dan Schwamberger, 21, of Stevens Point, Wis. His time was 25:55. The female winner was Kimberly Magee, 16, of Bloomington. Her time was 32:43.

Fruit and Powerade will be available to all runners following the race compliments of Super Fresh Produce and Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Bottled Water will be provided by Cullligan.

All proceeds from the SPAM 5-Mile Run will be donated to United Way of Mower County, Inc.

Editor’s Note: SPAM is a registered trademark of the Hormel Foods Corporation.