24th Annual Aliferis Memorial Race a Success
Racers at the starting line at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena.
More than 200 cyclists, runners and walkers of all ages came out to participate in the 24th Annual Aliferis Memorial Race on Saturday, Aug. 31. Since 2000, MyMichigan Health Foundation’s Business Relations Committee has hosted the race on Labor Day weekend. This year’s race included a half marathon, 5K, 1 Mile walk/run and two bike races which finished at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena.
Some participants joined in multiple events, with many taking home awards, medals, and other prizes. The grand prizes for the day included two sets of University of Michigan football tickets. All proceeds from the race benefit the Aliferis Scholarship Fund, the Alpena Cancer Center, patient enhancement projects, and new technology.
A portion of the funds raised from this year’s race will be assist in funding a new $150,000 ultrasound machine to be placed in the recently remodeled Breast Health Suite. With technological advancements, ultrasounds have become a common secondary test for those whose mammograms are inconclusive. Ultrasounds are helpful in providing additional detail, which can reduce unnecessary biopsies in certain cases. Having a dedicated breast health ultrasound machine will help make this process faster and easier for patients.
“As awareness increases, more patients are coming in for regular breast health screenings and as our volumes have increased, having a dedicated breast health ultrasound machine has become necessary,” said Steve Hand, manager of imaging services, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. “An additional machine will reduce wait times for all ultrasound patients, not just breast health.”
Steve, along with and his wife Dana, co-chaired this year’s Aliferis Race. Both have long-standing ties to MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Steve started with the Medical Center as a nuclear medicine technologist in 1999 and is now the manager for Imaging Services. Dana worked for the Medical Center for several years and has since retired.
“I want to thank Steve and Dana for serving as this year’s honorary chairs. They’ve done a wonderful job and have been very involved. I’d also like to thank our volunteers, particularly our race organizers Joe Gentry, Barb Fox, and Joe Donajkowski and Nancy Niergarth, along with many other active volunteers. Their work is instrumental in making this race happen,” said Ann Diamond, development director, MyMichigan Health Foundation. “I’m grateful to everyone who comes out to support this event and to those who participate. It was a beautiful day this year and a great way to kick-off Labor Day weekend.”
In the half marathon, Logan Szumila, 14, of Posen, won overall, with a time of 1:33:15. Second place went to Amanda Wojan, 35, of Gaylord, with a time of 1:52:06. Stephen Blake, 38, of Westland, came in second in the men’s division with a time of 1:52:07, and in third place was Nathan LaBarge, 31, of Alpena, at 1:52:56. The second-place female was Kendra LaFave, 25, of Alpena, with a time of 2:02:55, and Jamie Savage, 47, of Bay City, was the third female in, with a time of 2:10:12.
In the 18.5-mile bike race, Levi Goebel, 25, of Alpena, took first place overall, with a time of 50:21. Jon LaBarre, 25, of Greenville, came in second at 50:23. Jonathan Smith, 28, of Alpena, clenched third, with a time of 50:28. Cathy Thornton, 41, of Alpena, was the first female, with a time of 1:05:28, followed by Mikayla Oliver, 27, of Alpena, in at 1:08:27, and Marissa Johnson, 28, of Alpena, in at 1:08:37.
In the 5K, Xander Allen, 15, of Ossineke, won overall, with a time of 16:16.4. Logan Szumila, 14, of Posen, came in second at 18:43:0, and Justin Karsten, 41, of Alpena, came in third at 18:44:4. The first female was Avery Huff, 14, of Mattawan, at 22:18.9. Lydia Allen, 10, of Ossineke, was the second female, in at 23:40.2, and Alyssa Shirely, 36, of Vassar, came in third, in 23:47.4.
