Race to the Taps
Walk, run, race – all proceeds benefit Merrill Police and Fire Departments
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
Sawmill Brewing Company is hosting their 5th Annual Race to the Taps 5K event on September 11, 2021. “But, since we know that not everyone loves running, there is going to be a 2-mile Family Walk/Run portion, too!” organizers Zach and Trisha Kubichek wrote on the event’s web page. “And, we are throwing a big party afterwards so that everyone in the family can participate in something throughout the day.”
“With our 5th annual Race To The Taps event falling on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, it didn’t take us long to decide that we are going to donate the money to our local Fire/EMS and Police programs in need,” Zach said. “Sawmill Brewing Company is always looking for ways to give back to the community, and we are so excited about this event. In addition to the 5k and 2-Mile Family Walk, there will be many activities for people to enjoy. We will have food trucks, live music, activities for kids, a bounce house, fire trucks and the fire pup, and even Eros himself will make an appearance.”
5K details
Participation in the 5K trail run is $40. Each racer will receive a race day t-shirt, a bag packed full of swag and fun giveaways, their bib number and chip for timing, a post-race meal, and a beer! (If you are under 21, we have some delicious craft sodas for you instead.)
The 5K will begin at 11:00 a.m. sharp on September 11, and the 5K runners depart from Sawmill Brewing Company’s parking lot and run through the woods one-half mile to get to the Prairie Trails paths. Runners will then circle the West loop of the Trails, then run the East loop, then return to the Sawmill through the woods, and finish up on the North side of the Sawmill’s property. This route, while well maintained, is not stroller friendly, as it includes roots, rocks, gravel surfaces, and narrow passages and is designed for runners, the organizers caution.
2-Mile Family Walk/Run
Participation in the 2-Mile Family Walk/Run is $20 for each person age 12 and over. Each registered 12-and-up participant will receive a race day t-shirt, a bag packed full of swag and fun giveaways, and a beverage of their choice (beer offered to those over 21). Children under age 12 are very welcome to participate, as well, and they are FREE! All kids under 12 must still be registered and must participate with a registered adult, and they will get a race day t-shirt, too.
The 2-Mile Family Walk/Run will start shortly after the 5K racers depart. This route will leave the Sawmill Brewing Company’s parking lot and heads West on 9th Street, North on Mill Street, East on Riverview Road, South on Hwy. K/Center Ave., and ends back in the Sawmill’s parking lot. The family course is very easily walkable and is stroller friendly, as the entire route is on pavement with little incline.
Party time!
Regardless of age or mobility, or participation in the run or walk, everyone can come for the post-race party at the Sawmill Brewing Company. The party will get started as racers finish (roughly at 11:30 a.m.) and last the entire day.
Food Trucks will start serving at 11:00 a.m., live music will be performed from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., a bounce house will be on site for the kids’ area, and prizes and giveaways will add excitement to the day. And, as previously mentioned, fire trucks, the fire pup, and Eros, Merrill’s K-9, will stop by.
In addition, an awards ceremony will be held from 12:30 to 12:45 p.m., with awards given to the top male and female finishers in each age category.
Giving back
“Because we believe that not only being an active part of your community is important, but we also believe that giving back to your community is important,” the Kubichecks said, “we are going to have a unique giving aspect to this event. A portion of every registration will be donated back, and we will be collecting additional donations the day of the race.”
“To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, proceeds of this event will be split between Merrill Fire/EMS and Merrill Police,” they said.
The K-9 Unit of the Merrill Police Department needs financial support because “Eros,” the Department’s beloved German Shepherd, will soon be retiring. Eros is certified in narcotics detection, building searches, officer protection, and searching for missing persons or tracking suspects. Now the Department must start the recruitment process for a replacement K-9. Merrill Police donations will help fund this.
Merrill Fire/EMS proceeds will assist in funding Behavioral Health trainings for local firefighters and their families. The Firefighter Behavioral Alliance’s (FBHA) goal is to provide behavioral health workshops to fire departments, EMS, and dispatch organizations across the globe, focusing on behavioral health awareness, with a strong emphasis towards suicide prevention and promoting resources available to firefighters/EMS/dispatch and their families.
Both of these programs are completely funded by community donations, the Kubicheks said, and they hope donors will be generous on September 11.
Getting registered and other questions answered
Packet pickup and on-site registration will be available from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 10, at the Sawmill Brewing Company and also from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 11, before the race begins.
New sponsors and volunteers are always welcome to get involved with the Race to the Taps. To participate in any way [as a sponsor, volunteer, or participant], or for questions, email: [email protected].