Run 'Round the Rose 12 Mile Race for Diabetes

Run 'Round the Rose 12 Mile Race for Diabetes

Organized and first held in 2008, this annual race was created to raise funds for the American Diabetes Association and to also give mid-distance runners a chance to use their skills, train for marathons and raise money for a disease which is growing at an alarming rate in America. Jim Jensen, a former NFL running back with the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers, came up with this concept after spending many summers vacationing and living in western central Minnesota. Also, his mother was a victim of adult onset diabetes and the race was dedicated in her honor.

Jensen first ran the course in 1993 and many years later in late 2007, decided to organize an actual event which would provide mid-distance runners a way to both train for longer races, raise funds for diabetes research and introduce runners to a beautiful area of Minnesota - the serene country roads encircling Rose Lake which is near Vergas. The event is named after Rose Lake, and also after the flower which his mother adored.

Race participants have the option of forming 2- or 4-person teams to compete, or can compete individually at the 12 mile level. Medals are awarded in the Open Class M and F 1st through 3rd, and also in the relay categories and Masters M and F. Racers can either collect pledges from family or friends for their entry fees or can pay a non-pledge entry fee.

Race day registration is held at Spanky's Sone Hearth Restaurant and the race begins at 7am. Runners start on MN Co. Hwy 4 at the west shore of Rose Lake at the entrance to Spanky's Stone Hearth Restaurant and run south to The Intersection of MN Hwy 228. Then turning east on MN Hwy 228, they run to South Shore Road on Rose Lake where they do an out and back, returning to 228. Running east again, they turn left on 370th Avenue and stay on the unimproved roads, stair-stepping west until they reach 504th Street which has a black top surface. Continuing west on 504th Street, runners then meet MN Co. Hwy 4 again and turn left which will take them to the finish line which is near the beginning of the route.

Many area residents, volunteers, safety departments and businesses pitch in to make this race safe for runners and convenient for local traffic. A shuttle bus drops off relay runners at the various race segments and picks up relay runners to return them to the finish area. Water stations are located at the 3, 6 and 9 mile markers. Typically temperatures are in the upper 50s at race time and 70s at the end of the race.

Net proceeds of this event are donated to the Fargo/Moorehead regional American Diabetes Association office and all entry fees, sponsorship funds and other donations are collected and deposited at Vergas State Bank. Other organizations who are instrumental in staging this event include the Vergas Fire & Rescue Department, Vergas Municipal Government, the Ottertail County SHERIFF's Posse, the MN Department Of Transportation, Spanky's Stone Hearth Restaurant and many wonderful Vergas area volunteers and media.

The event website can be found at www.runtherose.com which contains photos from past races, and registration and pledge forms are also available online. This race is one of a small group of mid-distance races found in the western central Minnesota region.